Culver Military Academy Culver Educational Foundation
The aerial view of Aubeenaubee Bay today:
"Indian Trails"
After the Lake View Hotel burned on 15 November 1929 the ground it stood on became known as the "Indian
Trails"; but just when the named was attached to this area is unknown. The picture below shows the old Lake View
Hotel and the shore line of the area.
In 1931 the Culver Reality and Investment Company was established by Bertram and Edwin II Culver. Through this they bought up the
north shore property of the lake between the Culver Town Park and the original campus
property.
The a brief account of the history this area is here.
Campus Area
18__ - John Mitchell
1872-1885 - A. T./Aaron T. Benedict 44.75; 58.35; & north of these both is
an tract 80A
1885 - It is said that Henry H. Culver acquired Aaron Benedict land holdings for the Culver Military, Aaron Benedict lived in
Maxinkuckee.
From Corwin's One Townships Yesterday's:
The new-comers to the lakeside settlement are Aaron T. Benedict and his wife Cordelia, with their children. They had moved here from
Miami County and settled at the extreme north end of the lake. It was in 1872 that, they located here.
The Benedict homestead was established on a knoll somewhat back from the lake. Pine trees were planted around it. These grew and
grew, and in the passing years witnessed the changing fortunes of the family in the house they sheltered. Finally, by marriage and
death, the Benedicts were parted and scattered, and there came a day when the homestead was deserted. At length the house itself was
gone, and only the pine trees remained on the knoll that overlooked the lake. There they stand to this day, a little grove of them,
grown real tall now, landmarks, telling the story of human habitation there once where no dwelling stands any more.
The Benedict homestead beneath these trees was north of the present Road 10 and east of the Hibbard Road. The highways today are not
as they originally were. In the 'seventies the old roads ran close to the house. There was a three-point intersection almost in front of the
house, where the highway from Marmont, coming diagonally and directly northeast from the lakeside, joined the eastbound Argos Road
and the Hibbard Road. The Argos Road was immediately south of the Benedict house, while the Hibbard Road then followed a northwesterly
trend till it reached the Shaw school house, then proceeded north a short stretch before turning east, as now.
"Aaron T. Benedict, my father, owned two hundred acres at the north end of the lake," says Mrs. Augusta Warner of Culver. "All of
this is now the property of Culver Military Academy. The original site of the Academy was on the Benedict tract, bordering the bay.
It was acquired by Henry H. Culver from the family."
The quote from the Thomas Bigley Biographical sketch is:
He also owned considerable acreage north of the lake along Aubeenaubee Bay, 83 acres along the lake front and 200 acres thence north. He built a home approximately a half mile from the
lake and planted pine trees around it. He never lived there, but rented it to his daughter, Augusta, and husband William WARNER
and family. Later the house burned but the pine trees stand to this day; the site is historically known as the Pine Tree House.
His land holdings were later acquired by Henry H. CULVER for the Culver Military Academy.
and another quip under the Wayne Flagg biographical sketch found in the same book [History of Marshall County Indiana
Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 (Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422) Marshall County Historical Society
pg 169] is:
Wayne's maternal grandparents, William
B. Warner (1846-1898) and Augusta Benedict Warner (1848-1939), ...
The William Warners owned a farm that is nor part of the Culver Military Academy Campus. Wayne's mother was
born on this farm. The house was located near the pine trees where the activities of the Woodcraft Council
Fires are held.
Just recently this has surfaced about the Benedict property - "Pine Tree House" - 1872 – Landmark “Pine Tree House” built by A. T.
Benedict, Maxinkuckee. Benedict ran sawmill on dammed creek running through Bigley property, - also Grist Mill.
1898 - Culver Military Academy - 15.92/18.92a
H. H. Culver - 76.49 to the North
H. H. Culver - 38.10 to the North
H. H. Culver - 39.25 to the East
Henry H. Culver came to Culver in the spring of 1883 and retired to the "Founders cabin" and began buying property on the
northeast side of the lake; first buying 98 acres [the Hissong farm] in the spring of 1883 [another source says 90 acres] and
then 208 {Aubeenaubee Bay Farm] in 1884.
It is said that the original Culver farmhouse and was moved to 301 North
Shore Drive which is within the academy property.
By pictures and what I have come up with this sat on the Aubeenaubee Bay, north side of the lake as pictured below
- possibly:
Culver Educational Foundation/Culver Military Academy Campus - it appears to read 92.80 acres; below is a more detailed view of its holdings from the section cropped out of the 1908 plat map and enlarged.
By 1884, Henry H. Culver owned 306 acres of land bordering the lake, much of it marshy and unusable. By the time he returned
to St. Louis in 1885, he and his workers had laid about nine miles of drain tile and reclaimed much of the land by draining the
marsh land; that is now part of The Academies campus.
This ditch system soon was referred to the as the "canal" and the early pictures show canal and lagoon's which were a part of this system. The meandering drainage ditch ran through the campus from near the tennis courts to the lakeshore site passing in front of the Main Barracks, yet to be built back then.
By 1886 he owned more than 300 acres. In 1886 the Culver's built a large home near their cabin and named it the Homestead.
1887 - Henry H. Culver decided to open a Chautauqua camp similar to the one operated by the Methodist Church in New York
State. He built a three story hotel, tabernacle of 5,400 square feet [where the Main Barracks sits today], and several cottages and there was also tenting place. In July 1889 it was directed by Ben Deering and attracted more than 20,000 visitors and opened for business in the summer of 1889. It was known as the Culver Park Assembly on the Aubeenaubee Bay. After two money-losing seasons, he closed it down after the 1890 summer season.
For a brief while the area was used as a fairground for Union Township. It opened in 1891 brought the Marshall Agricultural Fair to Culver lake shore on the north side of the Lake Maxinkuckee on the Aubeenaubee Bay. This was due to arrangements done by Henry H. Culver. The fair was discontinued in 1895 because but it too also proved not to be a profitable venture; the Agriculture 1895 fair booklet bears many ads and pictures. One source has stated that H. H. Culver had donated the 30 to 40 acres to the county for fair grounds and it was returned to him.
A friend had suggested that the area would be ideal for a summer camp in April of 1894. He then in turn started upon his dream of founding a permanent school on the property - converting the hotel into an multi purpose building and the tabernacle into a gym and setting aside 40 acres for the Culver Academy on Aubeenaubee Bay. The name in the plans for the school and been Culver Military Institute but by the time the catalogs were printed and out the name was just Culver Academy but by Thanksgiving of that year the "Military" had crept back in to the name and the school was referred to as Culver Military Academy - from then on.
1894 - May 4 John Heyward McKenzie arrived on the north shore of Lake Maxinkuckee on May 4, 1894, to sign an agreement with
H. H.. Culver as Principal of Culver Academy. By Bob Hartman this agreement was:
"to; maintain a school . . . with a competent corps of teachers, (and) pay all expenses connected with the maintenance
of the school . . ." The founder agreed to "put said buildings in condition for permanent occupancy,"
and; "if found necessary,"; add a gymnasium. With those simple rubrics, McKenzie set up headquarters in the old
Chautauqua assembly building's, Culver Park Hotel and prepared to lead the newly formed Culver Military Institute.
After expenses connected with the maintenance and operation of the school had been paid, "any surplus would be divided
equally between the two parties of the contract", according to the agreement.
Thus first head of the Culver Academy was an Episcopal priest -
John Heywood McKenzie.
Founded in July 1894 as Culver Academy by Henry H. Culver it originally was 40 acres, with 3 buildings. It opened September
24 1894 and classes started on 25 September 1894 with 32 cadets [another source says 45] in attendance. Its purpose was
- - For the purpose of thoroughly preparing young men for the best colleges, scientific schools and business of America.
In the biography on Milo Reno Cline in the History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 (Taylor Publishing Co.,
1986, Publication # 357 of 1422) Marshall County Historical Society pg. 125 it is stated:
"He helped build the first building for the Culver Military Academy, that building being constructed on the site of a former
tabernacle in 1894. He became a friend of the Culver family, especially Edward Culver."
and in the same book on pgs. 73-4 under the Barnes family is found this:
In 1894, the year Culver Military academy was founded by Henry Harrison Culver, a contract was awarded to
John E. Barnes of Logansport to construct a brick barracks, the first permanent building on the campus. The
cornerstone for this building is dated May 16, 1895. It had an Engine Annex that contained a power plant.
It produced the heat and generated electricity for the campus. Coal being was required to run the plant, a rail spur ran
through the heart of the campus directly to the rear of Main Barrack, till 1911 when the Mess Hall was constructed.
John E. Barnes, in order to have a place to live while building this barracks, purchased the Arlington Hotel
annex. He continued to build for the Academy and with his wife Elizabeth Jane Bates Barnes, maintained this home
at what is now 704 West Shore Drive.
A son, James I. Barnes, in the meantime joined his father in the construction business. As the father grew older,
this son, James, took over the business and continued the construction of many buildings built at the Academy in
subsequent years....
But by Thanksgiving of this year Military had been incorporated into the school name.
Here is an ad from the 1895 Marmont Herald:
1895 - The 6th of June, John Heyward McKenzie tenured his resignation; after a year of disputes and turmoil
over operations of the school with H. H. Culver. The Culver Military Academy opened in September of 1895 under the leadership of
West Point graduate Maj. Clinton Tebbets as Superintendent and Commandant but his tenure was less than 14 months handing
in his resignation just before
Col.
Alexander Fleet arrived with his cadets to Culver. Nothing much can be found recorded of Maj.
Tebbets his time at Culver. Central Main Barrack and its Engine Annex which housed coal-fired boilers to produce steam
to heat the barrack and drive electric generators] was erected these buildings were designed by architect, Albert Knell
of Baker and Knell [of St. Louis].
A few short months - after its founding it totally burned on 4 Feb. 1895. Bob Hartman writes this about it:
Less than five months after the Academy opened, a late afternoon fire broke out in the hotel and by dusk
on Feb. 4, the structure had been destroyed. There were no injuries, but the just completed mid-year exams,
grades, and personal possessions were destroyed. Jubilant cadets, anticipating an extended vacation from
their academic responsibilities, were quickly disappointed when local residences, the Culver's summer home,
and a nearby farmhouse were put into service as dormitories. Classroom space was provided in several auxiliary
buildings and the tabernacle was reconfigured to serve as the dining hall.
H. H. Culver had hired architect Albert Knell, and while both men were enroute to Culver by train they laid out the
basic design for Main Barrack. They envisioned a three-story structure of "brick, stone, steel, and iron". It took
seven months to construct and fine tune between the two men. The cornerstone for Main Barracks was laid May 16th and
the build was ready to be occupied on September 24th. and Bob Hartman's description of Main Barrack as it was
then is:
It contained a chapel, mess hall, classrooms, library, and quarters for about ninety cadets. Its construction was described as
"brick, stone, steel and iron, with concrete nine inches thick, so that it is impossible to be injured by fire." It was centrally
heated by coal-fired boilers which also generated steam to the "Dynamo Room" to power electric generators.
This "Dynamo Room" or "Engine Annex" contained a power plant that produced heat and generated electricity for the campus. The fuel
of course was coal being shipped in by railroad - thus a rail spur ran through the heart of the campus directly to the rear of
Main Barrack.
This unsightly railroad track and the coal dump remained on the main campus until after the Mess Hall was built in 1911 and
new power plant (now the Music and Arts Building ) was constructed in 1912
This is an ad for the Academy in the 1896 Culver Herald:
On 26 September 1896 the Missouri Military Academy boys was ravaged by fire that month - Sensing the opportunity to save
Culver Military Academy H. H. Culver sent a telegram - "You have the boys, I have the buildings. Let's get together." -
giving Fleet the opportunity to bring his students, and faculty to Indiana. H. H. Culver had proposed an acceptable deal
resulting in Fleet's acceptance and H. H. Culver telegrammed back: "Veni, Vidi, Vici. The Academy is at your disposal.
When will your party start? Answer quick." Culver hired a private train for Fleet, his staff and the cadets to bring them from
Mexico, Missouri to Culver. On the evening of October 5th Head master Col. Alexander F. Fleet arrived along with the
72 cadets and five faculty members among who were Hugh Greiner and Hugh Glasswork; from there they went to the lake pier boarded
the steamboats Peerless I and Aubeenaubee for the short trip to the Academy.
Col. Alexander Frederick Fleet, Culver superintendent from 1896 to 1910, was born in King and
Queen County, Va., in 1843. He joined the Confederate army in 1861, serving as a lieutenant
and aide-de-camp to Gen. Henry Wise. He was present at Gen. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.
1897 - Found in - The history of the state of Indiana from the earliest explorations by the French to the present time containing
an account of the principal civil, political, and military events, from 1763 to 1897 (Indianapolis B. L. Blair Co., 1897) pg. 556-7
is the following:
The latest of ourt [-?-] education institutions, but one, that has already attraced [attracted] the attention of the whole country, is the Culver
Military Academy on Lake Maxinkuckee. It was founded in 1894 by Mr. H. H. Culver, a citizen of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Culver
was a wealthy and philanthropic man, whose heart was interested in the education of boys. He had a summer home on Lake Maxinkuckee,
and there concluded to found his institure [institute]. The first building erected was a frame structure, which was destroyed by fire on the
4th of February, 1895. It was at once decided to erect new buildings, which would be practically fire-proof, and this
work was done during the spring and summer of 1895. The school at once began to flouris [flourish]. In September [September], 1895,
the Missouri Military Academy, at Mexico, Missouri, was destroyed by fire. Mr. Culver at once made a proposition to its faculty to
consolidate the institution with his Academy at Culver, which was accepted. This agve [gave] to the Indiana school an addition of
seventy cadets at once, and necessitated the erection of another large building. The location for the Academy is one of the finest
in the State, Lake Maxinkuckee has long been regarded as one of the prettiest pieces of water in the whole country, and has been for years a favorite resort in the
summer for those who desired an outing. Surrounding the Academy is a beautiful park of three hundred acres, thickly covered with
maples, oaks and beeches, and free from undergrowth. These grounds are laid out with great taste and fitted in every way for the use of
the students. A fine calvary parade and drill ground is one of the attractions. The Academy is conducted on military principles, and is
now the largest military school in the United States, with the exception of West Point. The lake furnishes excellent boating, and as
athletics form one of the features of the school, the pportunities [opportunities] for a boat crew are highly appreciated. The Academy has been
handsomely endowed by Mr. Culver.
1897 - Leigh Robinson
Gignilliat became commandant/superintendent on a snowy night of 13 January, he arrived at the Marmont
Depot. West barracks was erected - accommodating forty-four cadets and two officers, and containing six section rooms, one
physical laboratory and one chemical laboratory. March 1897 the Black Horse Troop was
purchased.
1897 - June the 1896-1987 catalogue was first catalogue with roster of cadets theretofore published, showed 122 cadets, and a
graduating class of seven.
1897 - Sunday, September 26, 1897 Henry Harrison Culver dies. The estate remained unsettled until 1902 - at that time -
Emily Jane Culver received the family home on Lake Maxinkuckee , one of seven shares in the Academy [later giving
it up for an increase annuity] and the earnings from property at 12th and Locust Streets in St. Louis. Edwin
took over where his father left off in his vision for Culver Military Academy. Bertram took over the Wrought
Range company; and eventually Edwin and Bertram forced one brother out in 1906; their sister filed suit in
1910 trying to claim mismanagement, by her efforts were foiled. In 1912 another brother died and his shares
were passed on to Edwin and Bertram and the full control of the company.
Here is a drawing of the campus; which shows the lagoon system:
1898 - Riding hall was erected - which was finer than those built by the national
government for its cavalry posts or at West Point, and probably without a superior in the world. This remarkable building, one
hundred and four by two hundred and twelve feet, of brick and stone, with great steel trussed roof, of ornate architecture and
incorporating every essential of the complete riding arena, was erected at a cost of $50,000.
1899 - East Barrack was erected - accommodating sixty cadets and two officers, with hospital of four
rooms, two laboratories, and library. January and May of 1899 the boiler room was enlarged, two additional
tubular boilers installed, and six rooms for employees were built over the engine
room, a brick stack one hundred feet high being also constructed. A powder magazine,
covered gallery for formations, and new walks in the grounds were other improvements made.
As the Academy expanded the road on the North
Shore of Lake Maxinkuckee - Aubeenaubee Bay changed many times over the years.
Here is a section referring to the Academy from the 1900 topographical map by J. T. Scovell:
1900 - Mal's Annex was erected.
1902 - The "little" Gym was erected. In June of 1902, the Summer Naval School opened with 20
cadets (first called midshipmen circa 1920) and commanded by Leigh Gignilliat’s
brother, Thomas, a Naval Academy graduate
Culver Military Academy, established by H. H. Culver ten years ago, on the shores
of lake Maxinkuckee near the present town of Culver, was Thursday incorporated with a
capital stock of $240,000. The trustees are as follows: Walter L. Culver, Henry H.
Culver, Bert B. Culver, Knight K. Culver, Edwin R. Culver, Emily J. Culver and A. F.
Fleet. - - Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 18, 1902
1903 - The 4th floor was added onto the Main Barracks - this
being solely for academic purposes, and containing a drafting room, physical
laboratory, chemical laboratory, biological laboratory, Y. M. C. A. room, chemical
and physical lecture rooms, dentist's office, barber shop, and dark room for amateur
photographers. In June of 1903, an agreement with the construction firm of J. E.. Barnes and Sons of
Logansport was signed for $14,225.70. A materials drawing account was set up on Aug.
29, and by the end of September, construction was underway. Albert Knell was the
designer and engineer. A survey of the 1895 power plant in the Engine Annex was made.
Bradley and Co. of St. Louis], recommended a major up-grades including new boilers, engines, and a
dynamo and new Westinghouse Electric Company switchboard. Barnes and Sons was given
the contract to remodeling the Annex. The water tank was also inadequate to supply
campus needs and the roof possibly could not with stand any additional weight. A
tower and larger water tank the hill just south of the new gymnasium was constructed by
Fairbanks, Morse and Company [of St. Louis]. Barnes and Sons did the site preparation for
the foundation and Bradley and Co. done the plumbing to connect the water lines from the
Annex to the campus building.
1903 - An article by L. Robinson Gignilliat appeared sometime during this year in the Munsey's Magazine; it was 4 pages
long and had 5 illustrations and was titled "An Inland Naval School"
1903-04 a splendid gymnasium was constructed.
1904 - South Barracks was erected - with capacity for ninety cadets and three officers.
Here is the cover of a summer catalog for 1904:
1906 - Sanborn fire map of Culver Military Academy grounds.
1906 - Gym was destroyed by fire June 1, 1906, but was immediately rebuilt. This is the largest
and most complete private school gymnasium in existence. It is constructed in the
Tudor Gothic style of architecture. The main gymnasium hall is seventy-five by one
hundred and forty feet. It has walls of white, enamel brick, capped by a heavy oak
rail, to which are fastened pulley weights and other wall apparatus. The floor is
of polished hard maple. A suspended running track-seventeen laps to the mile-and
gallery, skirt the four walls. The roof is supported by steel trusses, and no pillar
or post mars the ample floor space. Opening into the main hall are apparatus room,
measuring room, filled with the best anthropometric apparatus, director's room,
locker room, drying room, and baths. West Barracks was renovated.
By age requirements of being 14 for naval school and the picture being of a young boy this is inserted here -
Lewis Wendell Willkie was born in
1892 and he attended Culver Academy Summer School right after his freshman year of high school. His photo
shows - the hat and uniform which is Naval I believe. If you wish to read more on the young man follow the
link above. I found the picture intriguing - because of the uniform style and hat; besides the look on his face of
total disgust.
1905 - YMCA chapter established on campus
Here are 1906 & 1907 ads for the school.
1907 - a separate hospital building was erected, of strictly fireproof construction,
and equipped with the latest sanitary appliances. It is two stories high, has a diet
kitchen, independent heating and lighting systems, and accommodations for twenty-five
patients. The style of architecture is the Tudor Gothic, which admits of highly
ornate trimmings and is peculiarly adapted to buildings for this purpose. The
architectural treatment combines the restful and quiet effect essential to hospitals,
with the massive and dignified appearance appropriate to military buildings. A
reception hall divides the first story longitudinally; this hall also serves as a
waiting room. On the left of the reception hall are located the surgeon's office
and chambers also the operating, sterilizing, and emergency rooms. On the right of
the reception hall is the contagion ward, with separate baths, nurse's quarters,
kitchen, etc
1907 - Culver Summer School of Cavalry opened. The here is an ad for the
summer school. Gignilliat began a two-week excursion with the entire Naval and Cavalry to the tri-centennial
Jamestown Exposition in Virginia. An
account of the excursion in found in this article by Bob Hartman.
1908 - The Arsenal was built
This provides an unsual eagle eye view of the campus from above Lake Maxinkuckee; it was created for the Culver Military Academy
promotional catalog in 1908. It is a composite of buildings and activities that were then part of the winter and summer
programs.
1909 - News articles:
Now Indiana has a navy. The bill providing for a naval branch of the military,
chiefly beneficial to Culver Academy, passed both houses and has been signed by
the governor. Now we are safe from foreign invasion. - - Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 5, 1909
E. R. Culver, son of the founder of the military academy at Culver,
accompanied by Albert Krell, both of St. Louis, are at Culver making arrangements
for having plans drawn for a new dormitory to the Academy. - - Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 25, 1909
1909 - Open Air Barrack built just north of the Gym and in 1924 it was moved to where the Henderson Ice Arena is today.
It was used for the Academy Band. Final use was by the crew members of Universal Studios during the filming of "Tom
Brown of Culver" in 1932 and that summer it was razed to expand the area of the Woodcraft camp
Here are several 1909 ads for the school.
1910 - Fleet retires. Major Leigh Gignilliat, the commandant became superintendent and Bert H. Greiner became Commandant.
Culver Military Academy Alumni Association was formed.
About 1910 Edwin Raymond Culver built his home just east of the Palmer House.
In the mid 1920's turned it over to the Academy for use as the superintendents house until 1989 when it along with the guest
house next door was razed to make way for the new library. Culver Military Academy Alumni Association founded by Gignilliat.
This article is incomplete - :
New Mess Hall at Academy to Be the Most
Complete of Its kind Anywhere
Culver Military academy has just completed its thirteenth session, the most successful in its history. As in previous years, the
applications for admission have far exceeded the capacity of the buildings. Yet no new barracks will be built. The trustees instead
had decided upon comprehensive plans...
...present mess hall, with some crowding, would seat the number we propoce [project] so seat in our new building, yet the lod [old]
hall has only half the floor space of the new. This comparison give an idea of the spaciousness of the new building. The generous
dimensions provided for broad aisles between the tables...
...addition there will be provided a canning and preserving room; also a room equipped with power ice cream freezers.
The floor space of the kitchen will be about equal to that of the mess hall. Those already familiar with the academy's plant will
again an idea of the size of the mess hall and kitchen building from the fact that it will occupy more space than the
which hitherto has been the largest building on the grounds. In this building there will be adequate messes for civilian employess
[employees] and for kitchen and mess hall help. Like the mess hall the kitchen will be built of reinforced concrete throughout,
fireproof and absolutely saniotary [sanitary]. It...
1910 - Open air barracks was built north of the "Little Gym. The Culver family secured a patent for the design. The novelty of
is wore off by the 1920's and it was converted to a more traditional use, In 1923 it was moved to the area of the Henderson Ice
Arena and was used and the band building till 1932 when was razed for additions to the Woodcraft Camp. It was last used by the
film crew during the production of "Tom Brown of Culver".
Here is 1910 ads:
On April 17, 1911 the new CMA Mess Hall was dedicated. The Iron Gate and the Final Formation, as we know it,
was born on, June 8, 1911 and thus began the graduation tradition of passing through the iron gates. The iron
gate was found by Edwin Culver and his wife during the first decade of the 20th century while on a tour in Europe -
had hopes of it being used in one of the new campus buildings on campus but it did not fit and was stored away.
This a 1911 Catalog for the Summer Naval
School gives information for the Naval School Cadets and battalions of 1910.
As well as many vintage pictures of the Academy grounds, buildings and Naval school
activities along with scenes of the lake. And here is the full page from the Harpers Magazine Advertiser
and the cropped out add for the academy:
Here are several 1911 ads for the school.
1912 - The heating and Electrical Plant was built several yards north of the Mess Hall. It is now the Music and Arts Building.
The Woodcraft Camp established. Here is a winter scene about 1912 of the
academy campus:
Here are several 1912 ads for the school.
ACADEMY STIRS UP BIG FUSS
Culver Military Academy has stirred up a big fuss in Washington by its request that the cadets be permitted to march near the front
of the inaugural parade as an escort to Vice President Marshall. It now looks as if the school would certainly be permitted in the
procession.
Capt. W. A. Fleet, of the Academy, is now in Washington attempting to gain a place for his cadets. He first visited Gov. Wilson at
Princeton, and learned that the coming executive had no objection to the plan to honor his colleague, if it could be arranged
satisfactorily. Armed with this word, he hastened to the capital, only to be frowned upon by Gen. Wood, who has charge of the
military part of the parade. The general impression seemed to be that the procession was originally arranged in honor of the
President, and that his running mate should not share in the glory. However, at a meeting which Senator Shively and Capt. Fleet
had with Gen. Wood, it was finally decided that the Vice President-elect shall have an escort and that it shall be the Culver
Black Horse Troop. Sixty of the troopers will form the escort and will bring their mounts with them from Indiana.
Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 1, 1913
1913 - The North Barracks and the Administration build was built. Madam
Schummann-Hein Recital on Easter Sunday, 1913.
Here are several 1913 ads for the school.
In 1913 the Cadets of Culver Military went to the aided and rescue of the
residents of Logansport, Cass, Indiana when the Eel River and the Wabash River
flooded the town. Bob Hartman provides the date:
On the night of March 25, 1913, the mayor of Logansport requested assistance in dealing with the huge flood that was ravaging his
town....
1914 - As a thank-you and remembrance to the cadets services - Logansport donated the "Logansport
Gates" to the academy and they were dedicated., and here on this page too can be found an account to the "big wind" or storm of 1913.
Here are several ads of 1914.
And here is the 1914 Sanborn map of the Academy grounds.
1915 - Planning was began to formulate for a two-week long Schoolboy Military camp for high school-age youngsters. By
in March they had gained the endorsement of state and county officials for the program. Commandant
Gignilliat had named the facility "Camp Woodrow Wilson". The students started arriving on May 9th
and ended on the 26th. The last session was in 1917 and was sponsored by the Culver family.
1916 - October 22 the stable burnt the housed the Black
Horse Troop and 66 of the horse died in that fire [another account says 1915 and 80 horses died].
Plans were announced for construction of a new 104 by 212 Riding Hall to house 136 mounts. Albert Knell was
the architect who designed the building.
At the same time Albert Knell also designed the new Arsenal and its construction began in 1916.
The trustees decided to center both buildings to the east and northeast of the Academy Hospital and convert the
old Riding Hall into a Recreation Building. The site was to low and to unstable for foundations for the Arsenal and
Riding Hall - thus began the massive fill of the area with dirt for the area now occupied the Woodcraft; when
completed the grade had been raised 14 feet.
1916 - ROTC or Reserve Officers Training Corps comes to Culver; this came about with the passing of the
National Defense Act of 1916 passed in June which had been drafted in November of 1915 by the War Department.
among the Culver was in the first round of colleges and secondary schools which totaled 46 and had three branches -
Calvary, Infantry and Field Artillery. Camp Newton D. Baker opened in May and continued till 1942 when World War II
ended all ROTC activity. Also authorization for construction of three new buildings was granted by the trustees for:
the English, mathematics, and Commerce Departments; which were located between the Mess Hall and the power plant.
Gignilliat commissioned Chicago jeweler C.D. Peacock to design an official ring for Culver Military Academy.
And the same year the Culver Military Academy Alumni Association founded in 1910 by Gignilliat at his suggestion the
name was changed to the Culver Legion.
CULVER IS OFFERED TO REGULAR ARMY
By International News Service
Culver, Ind., April 10 -- Official announcement has been made that the Culver Military
Academy has tendered to Maj. Gen. Barry, commanding the central department of the United
States army, the use of the buildings and the ground of the academy for training soldiers.
It is estimated that 25,000 men can be taken care of here. -- Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 10, 1917
CAMP NAMED FOR BARRY
Culver's military camp for high school boys from eight states has been named "Barry camp,"
in honor of Maj. Gen. Barry, commanding the central army division with headquarters in Chicago. - -
Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 5, 1917
1917 - In 1916 at the advice of Edwin Culver that the grounds was in need of some landscaping attention;
Jens Jensen a landscape architect was hired. His first suggestion was to get rid of the canal system by filling it in -
and then get rid of all the un-natural foliage in the area and replace it with shrubbery and trees native to the area. The
filling in of the canal system and reflecting" pool took place soon after the area for the new Riding Hall was filled in and
the Riding Hall was erected.
Thus by 1917 the drainage ditch system and the lagoons faded into history.
And the expanse of lakefront campus as known today was created. And during this year Edwin Culver asked the Academy grounds
keeper to procure for him a personal gardener - thus came "Leo" August Wennerstrom and ultimately became in charge of the Academy
grounds also until his retirement in 1949. 1917 the Riding Hall was dedicated and the lake front side of the riding hall was
terraced and outfitted with reviewing stands for athletic event and military reviews. Major Hugh Glasswork became acting
superintendent while Gignilliat was off serving his country. The last Schoolboy Camp assembled on April 30.
Here are several ads of 1917.
1918 The new arsenal was ready to be occupied in 1918, there was not formal dedication of the building and the equipment did
not arrive till the summer of 1919 after the war surplus had been inventoried by the army from World War One and also to arrive
were 80 horses. The old Arsenal became the Tailor Shop and the QM Store after being remodeled and sat north of the Mess Hall.
One of the towers rooms are used for campus security and the other for the horse carpentry shop. The west end houses the
harness shop, blacksmith shop, storage space for hay and feed; box stalls and practice cages for polo occupy the remaining space. When the Junior ROTC was terminated in 1989 the 2nd and 3 rd became abandoned.
Here is the 1918 Naval Academy Catalog. It is packed full Summer Naval School
gives information for the Naval School Cadets and battalions of 1917. As well as many vintage pictures of the Academy grounds,
buildings and Naval school activities along with scenes of the lake.
1919 - a contract was signed to construct a road from Bunker Hill (Lakeshore Drive) 5,500 feet north and east to
the CMA Riding Stables. Earlier the Lake Road ran along Aubeenaubee Bay from Logansport Gate. David Burns always
claimed if you looked closely at the Parade ground field - on a good frosty morning you could see the path of the
old Lake Road still today.
Also in 1919 the cornerstone for the Legion building was; Argonne and Chateau Thierry Barracks was built and opened
honoring the American contributions in WWI.
Here are several ads of 1919.
June 1919 - Ahdeek, a 38-foot motor pleasure boat, was built in 1916 at Morris Heights,
New York. She was acquired by the U.S. Navy on 2 September 1918 and served into the next
year as USS Ahdeek, probably in the New York area. Served during World War I
and in the early post-war era as USS Ahdeek In June 1919 she was ordered
sent to the Culver Military Academy, in Indiana, where she apparently remained for many
years, on loan from the Navy. Ahdeek was finally stricken from the list of Naval vessels
in October 1933.
Culver Military Academy Time-Saver Post Card from the 1920's.
1920 - The Aviation School opened. Culver Battery was admitted into the Corps of Cadets. Here are a couple of early
photos.
In November 1920, the State Highway Commission announced plans for a new East-West Highway, State Road #50
(State Road 10 today) from Warsaw to Demotte. This became feasible after the drainage of wetlands,
especially old Lake Manitou extending to the west of Culver. It was completed in 1929.
In Chapter five of HENRY J. REILLY' s AMERICA'S PART - THE AMERICAN LEGION IN PARIS this is found
mentioned about the academy:
Shortly after Marshal Foch's return from his trip throughout the United States, I talked with
him in his office in Paris about what he had seen. Among other things, he said, shaking his
finger at me and smiling:
"Your country claims to be so pacifistic. Never in my life have I seen so many people who like
military things. For example, at the head of the parade in Indianapolis was a magnificent
squadron of cavalry; young men in handsome uniforms mounted on splendid black horses.
"I asked, 'What corps d'élite of your army is that?' The answer was, 'Oh, they don't belong to
the army. That is the Black Horse Troop, of the Culver Military Academy.' I found on inquiry t
hat the Culver Military Academy is a private school, maintained from the tuition fees paid by
parents; that the magnificent black horses came from the same source."
The marshal then went on to tell how he had found that Culver was not the only military academy
maintained by funds other than those from the national government; that the country was dotted
with excellent ones maintained by private and state funds, the only assistance from the
national government being the loan of a certain number of regular officers and sergeants for
instruction purposes.
The Culver Military Academy in Indiana was established as the result of the belief of a business
man that military training was not only essential for war purposes, but above all an excellent
training for the vocations of peace. Aside from its regular courses, summer training-camps of
the same kind as the one established by General Wood at Plattsburg were started in 1915.
In addition, in the summer of 1916, foreseeing our entry into the war, the Academy held a
training-camp for graduates to bring them up to date. This was the first of a series of short
courses held for the same purpose, not only before we entered the war but throughout its
continuation.
More than 1,300 graduates or students of Culver served in the army, navy, or Marine Corps
during the recent war. More than seventy percent were commissioned officers.
Here is a 1920 ad - for the school:
Here is a 1920's era dress coat of the Culver Military Academy:
Here is the Winter Bulletin 1921-1922
1922 - The first apartment house was built. Recreation Hall burned.
1922 - THROUGH THE YEARS in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK by Donald H. Robinson with Editing and New Material by Maynard C. Bowers
Glacier Natural History Association, Inc. May, 1960 is this:
Chapeter III:...
Skyland Camps
One of the unusual camps to operate within the park was the Skyland Camp, with headquarters on Bowman Lake. It opened for business in 1922, serving mainly as a boys' camp from July 2 to August 27 and as a tourist camp for the remainder of the time between June 15 and snowfall. The camp was operated by the Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana, and catered to teenage boys who could take care of themselves in the woods with the proper leadership and guidance. The main camp at Bowman Lake consisted of a log lodge and dining room, several outbuildings and tent sleeping quarters. The subsidiary camps at Upper and Lower Kintla Lakes were all of canvas construction with the exception of a log dining room at Lower Kintla Lake. The tourist camp at Bowman which was open all summer, consisted of a four-room chalet and tents. Hiking and saddle trips were taken from these camps through out the park, connecting them with the other operators' accommodations in the area. This camp operated for several years, but finally closed down because of lack of business.
The 1922 land holdings is shown as follows:
CULVER RANKS SECOND ONLY TO WEST POINT
The Culver Military Academy has been designated by the secretary of war as an honor military school, an honor which goes to but few
of the military schools of the country. In fact Culver ranks next to West Point among the military schools of the country.
Indiana University is included on a list of twenty-five "distinguished colleges" of the country by the secretary of war. - -
Rochester Sentinel, Monday, June 18, 1923
Here is a 1923 ad for the school:
1923 - The work on the Legion building resumed and the Recreational Building was built.
The family matriarch Emily Jane Culver died and with it came dissension among the surviving heirs as none of
the Culver family had drawn any compensation, dividends, or interest from the academy since it had been
founded by H. H. Culver. Edwin and Bertram were determined that the Academy's future be
secure and finish fulfilling their fathers dream. They realized that only a non-profit foundation would assure the future of
fulfilling this dream. By 1928 it all came to a boil.
1924 the CMA Recreational Building was dedicated. And on 2ndNovember
Legion Building dedicated.
Here is the Sanborn Fire Map for the academy grounds for 1924.
Here is a brochure of the naval school for about this time period; also a 1924 and 1925 ad for the
school.
1925 - WHBH Broadcast station was installed and began broadcasting in mid-March of 1925.
150 foot transmitters were affixed to the roof of the Rec building, while the second floor balcony served as a studio. The call letters
soon after were changed to WCMA.
This is the 1926 catalogs. The one I have is hard bound. and belonged to Major
W. M. Hand. It has to small paper back catalogs bound with it: Body Builders Culver Summer Schools and Culver Summer Calvary School. Within the big book is
the Woodcraft and the Naval School and their applications.
Here is a picture of the front of the "The Seahorse" that was published - this is a September 1926 issue - Volume Three Number
Three.
By 1926 an aerial view of the campus was
taken and this campus map also was put out in their catalogs by 1928.
Here is an ad from 1927:
Here is the truxis system card; the system is mentioned in many of the catalogs:
1927 - Saw the remodeling of Main and South Barracks and the installation of the clock in the tower of the Mess Hall.
Col. Robert Rossow became commandant of cadets, a position he held until 1937. During the summers of 1931-45, he also
served as director of the Woodcraft Camp.
1927 news articles in the Culver Citizen were:
- May 11 – High wind does $1000 damage to Academy boats.
- June 29 – Academy purchases 180 acres along State Road 10.
- July 6 - $350, 000 expansion program announced by Culver Military Academy.
- August 17 – Midshipman rescued from lake.
- November 2 – Academy offers life insurance, disability and annuity benefit to employees.
MOVIE MADE AT CULVER
The Fox Film Company is taking a motion picture at Culver Military Academy which is to be entitled "Prep and Pep." The story is by
John Stone. This is the first time that the life of a Culver cadet has been used as a part of a motion picture play. - -
The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, May 28, 1928
Here is the front of a 1928 regulation book for cadets.
The 1928-1929 Catalog for the academy is a photo essay of the campus
and buildings being packed full of pictures of the campus and student activities.
ACADEMY BUYS PROPERTY
The Culver Military Academy has announced that they have purchased the real estate facing
Lake Maxinkuckee known as the Lake View Hotel property. This gives the academy a solid
stretch from the Palmer House to the boat house. - -The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 2, 1929
1929 - Came the biggest change to the campus the removal of the east-west road, and opening of St. Rd. 10. Several years prior
officials had petitioned the state highway department to move it the north. The present Power House was built west of Academy
Road which was served by a rail siding that delivered the coal directly to the site.
The red line to the right was the old east-west road through the heart of the campus - the yellow was the new established State Road
10, the chapel had yet to be even thought of.
ACADEMY TO BUILD NEW POWER PLANT NEAR R.R.
The site for a new power house for the Culver Military Academy has been staked out just below the carpenter shops on the Pennsylvania
railroad. This is the first unit of the academy's expansion program. Relocation and enlarging the plant will remove it from the
campus proper and take care of a greater load. The railroad tracks within the campus will be removed and the section of the grounds
about the present power house will be beautified with landscape gardening. The contract has not been awarded for installing a plant,
but it is understood that the academy is receiving bids. - - The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 25, 1929
1929 - November Jens Jensen was still doing work for the Academy - he had a design for an
outdoor theater.
Here is a 1929 adand 1930 ad for the Academy:
1930 - saw the third and final power plant built on West Indiana Avenue [now Academy Drive]; adjacent the
Pennsylvania Railroad's Vandalia Line and well removed from the main campus area.
From the Culver Citizen of Aug. 13, 1930:
- - Culver in the World War. Culver Military Academy. Culver, Indiana. ( 1930, 1151 pages) was published - Discusses the build up of the American army, navy, and marines, and individual histories of Culver men in the American army, navy and marines. Also includes individual histories of Culver men who were in the Canadian, British and French armies, winners of American and European medals of honor, and much more.
- The Bird Sanctuary was established. It was developed by William C. Vogt.
1930 - the sudden death of Edwin Culver delayed the progress of the plans of the non-profit foundation being conceived by him and
brother Bertram; that was in insure the future of the Culver Military Academy and fulfilling their fathers dream.
1931 - November Hollywood comes to Culver! George Greene of 1931 a scenario writer for Universal Pictures arrived. His assignment was
to initiate a motion picture about Culver cadets and write the script. The title was "Son of the Legion". Background scenery was being
taken of the Culver campus by 21 November. But General Gignilliat was notified by studio officials the script done by Greene was
unsatisfactory and that they were having a new script written and that in May of 1932 the filming with a new director would
resume.
April 13 1932 The Culver Citizen announces that the Culver Academy starts work on new open air theatre.
The 1940's campus map gives the location of this theater.
1932 Edwin's widow and heirs, Bertram and his family finally surrendered their holdings to The Culver Educational Foundation,
a gift estimated at $6 million. Thus in June 1932 the Culver's established the Culver Educational Foundation to assure the future
of the academy and control of the Academy was turned over to this foundation completely. Bertram and Edwin at their mother's
death had realized that only a non-profit foundation would assure the future of fulfilling this dream. They had combined all
their resources to buy out all the remaining heirs for a sum of $2 million in cash to surrender all claims to the Wrought Iron
Range Company and the Culver Military Academy. At this time they started to create the plans for an educational foundation to
assure the perpetuity of Culver Military Academy.
CULVER ACADEMY CHANGES FROM PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
Trustees of the Culver Military Academy will meet in convocation, June 7th for the formal signing of a covenant transferring Culver
Military Academy from the private ownership of the Culver family to a trust foundation in perpetuity. The event, to which invitations
to local people have been issued, will be marked by the unveiling of a tablet on Founders Rock to Henry Harrison Culver, founder of
the Academy.
Brief addresses will be given by Dr. Robert M. Hutchins, president of the University of Chicago; Dr. George Van Santvoord, headmaster
of the Hutchins school; Major General, H. A. Drum; Admiral Hugh Redman; Albert R. Erskine, president of the Studebaker Corporation,
and William A. Brooks, president of the Culver Legion. - - The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 24, 1932
GIGNILLIAT IS INVITED TO TALK OVER RADIO
Culver, Ind., July 23. - Brigadier General Gignilliat, supt. of the Culver Military Academy, has been invited by the Columbia
Broadcasting system to talk on "Military Training in Education" over the Columbia broadcasting chain next Monday. He will speak at
4:45 to 5 o'clock (EDT) from Madison Avenue, New York station.
He is now with the Culver middies on a cruise up Lake Michigan but expects to return to Culver Friday and to reach New York in time
to deliver this address on Monday. General Gignilliat is a popular speaker and perhaps better known in New York than in this state.
- -The News-Sentinel, Saturday, July 23, 1932
The 1932 - Middies Cruise of Lake Michigan.
Here is the cover of the message center 1932-3, title page,
calendar, map and some other pages from it.
1932 - May 2 & 3 - The filmmakers arrive. The movie "Tom Brown" was made - the
character Tom Brown was the cadet and actually played by Tom Brown.
This is a Very Rare Early Tyrone Power Film. This is a Touching Story about the transformation of Brown, From a Bully of a Kid,
into an outstanding Cadet at Culver Military Academy. He believes & everyone else does also that his father died a war hero & the
American Legion puts him through Military School. However as it turns out to be, his father is not dead, but a deserter! Finding
this knowledge crushes the young boy, but the support of his buddy's from the Academy helps him to get back on his feet & now
wants to try to get his dad a Honorable Discharge. This is a Hard to find film & is a Classic & a Rare One! This was the first
time Hollywood Idol Tyrone Power is on film. He has a minor role here as a Upperclassman. Tom Brown, Ben Alexander, Andy Devine,
Tyrone Power, H. B. Warner, Richard Cromwell, Willard Robeston, Betty Blythe, Slim Summerville, Sidney Toler, Russell Hopeton and
Eugene Pallete.
The much of the film was shot on location at Culver. It was released on 12 July.
LEGION BAND FILMED FOR USE IN MOVIE PICTURE
Movie cameramen working on the movie-talkie "Brown of Culver," the major portion of which is being filmed at Culver Military Academy,
took several hundred feet of "shots" of Legion meeting which was held at Bluffton a week ago last Sunday, for use in the talkie.
Rochester people will be interested in knowing that the Rochester Legion band which headed the parade at the Bluffton meeting will
appear in the "Brown of Culver" talkie-movie, and when the movie is brought to this city a big turn-out is anticipated.
On Saturday the Hollywood cameramen went to Indianapolis where several scenes were taken at Indiana World War Memorial Plaza which
will be shown in the movie. - -The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 16, 1932
1932 - Lampton Dinwiddy Jr., 1932. In Culver Military Academy uniform.
Thursday, July 26, 1934 - Rochester Sentinel
Col. H. G. GLASSWORK
Col. H. G. GLASSWORK, age 69, of Culver who was the headmaster of CULVER MILITARY ACADEMY for over thirty years, died in
Woodlawn Hospital here last night. Death was due to embolism which lodged in the lungs. The embolism followed an operation
for a ruptured appendix which operation was performed in the hospital here Monday.
Col. Glasswork was retired as the head of the academic department of the academy in 1929 or at the time he reached the
retirement age of the school. He came from Mexico, Mo., to Culver in 1896 when the late Col. Henry FLEET moved his military
school from Missouri to the site on Lake Maxinkuckee following the burning of the buildings of his academy in Missouri. A
small military academy owned by Col. CULVER was in operation at Culver at the time Col. Fleet's school burned and at the
invitation of Col. Culver the two schools were combined.
Col. Glasswork was born in Ralls county, Missouri. He graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., and later took
postgraduate work at Valparaiso University. He majored in mathematics and languages.
Col. Glasswork saw Culver Military Academy grow from a small military school until it is now one of the largest and one of
the highest ranking private schools of military training in the United States. During his long service at Culver Military
Academy Col. Glasswork has met most of the leading men of the United States and foreign countries when they visited the
school.
Col. Glasswork was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge at Culver. The widow and a sister survive. A
daughter died ten years ago.
Short funeral services will be held from the Glasswork home Friday morning. The body will then be taken to Indianapolis for
cremation. Later the ashes will be taken to Paris, Mo. for interment.
In 1934-5 it boasted to have 1000 acres and 10 artisan wells on the campus. Here
is the 1934-5 winter school catalog.
Here are several 1935 ads for the school.
1936 - March - Cole Bros.- Clyde Beatty Wild West and equestrian stars hold rodeo at Culver
Academy.
1936 - October - Town of Culver deeds the Airport that Norman Perry financed
to CMA.
NEW RIDING HALL IS NEARING COMPLETION
Culver, Ind., Aug. 27. - With the first stage of the $165,000 building project at the Culver Military Academy due to be completed and
ready for occupancy by the Black Horse Troup [Troop] on Sept. 8, work at the Academy has been stepped up during the last few weeks
and 24-hour shifts are rushing the work to its completion.
At this time the North barrack is being enlarged and completely modernized throughout. The plans call for complete winter and summer
air-conditioning, new floors, new lighting, new woodwork, complete new equipment in the cadet rooms, and paneled lounges for each
floor of barracks. At the same time an addition is being made to the commandant's office and the Y.M.C.A. lobby is being converted
into a lounge for the seniors.
When the cadets return in September they will find a two-story addition to the west end of North Barracks. This will enlarge the
quartermaster's office and provide 12 additional cadet rooms for the Troop.
Another addition planned for this year is the construction of a testing room for the Guidance dept. This will flank the opposite
side of the Administration building across from the commandant's office. When completed the quadrangle-side of the sally-port will
have the same appearance as the front, with towers and battlements completing the balance.
The third stage of the work will be undertaken next summer when work will begin on the east barracks division and the north and
east barracks will be linked by connecting corridors. When the 14-month's project is completed, four of the seven barracks at
Culver will be air-conditioned, the south and west being already modernized. - -The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 27, 1937
1937 - There are two flood pictures of Culver Military Academy cadets helping flood victims out - one is in Indianapolis and is
dated as being 1937.
and the other is at Freeport - information found it that Freeport is in Jackson County and later called Freetown. Jackson
county is south of Indianapolis; Freetown is located on St. Rd. 58 (midway of it, the road connects to St. Rd. 27 on the west and
Interstate 65 on the east) southwest of Columbus but the name of the town was changed in 1850 - which eliminates it. The name was
changed because of another town in Indiana in Shelby county just south and east of Indianapolis being also called Freeport at the
time.
That photo does not look like Freeport, Shelby County. The two story house and all the telephone poles just don't
look like Shelby County's small village of Freeport. The 1937 flood was not that devastating for Shelby County. The 1913 flood
was of Biblical proportions. But, one can tell that the photo was not taken in 1913, it is much later.
In all my research into Shelby County history, I've never encountered a reference to Culver cadets assisting in rescue efforts
in the county during a flood. -- Ron Hamilton, Shelby County historian
With this it puts more of a mystery on this postcard - and this quip is found in the Culver Citizen: 1937 January 27 – Academy
sends boats to Ohio River flood area.
1937 - May 5 – Academy plans $165, 000 improvement of buildings.
NEW RIDING HALL IS NEARING COMPLETION
Culver, Ind., Aug. 27. - With the first stage of the $165,000 building project at the Culver Military Academy due to be completed
and ready for occupancy by the Black Horse Troup on Sept. 8, work at the Academy has been stepped up during the last few weeks and
24-hour shifts are rushing the work to its completion.
At this time the North barrack is being enlarged and completely modernized throughout. The plans call for complete winter and summer
air-conditioning, new floors, new lighting, new woodwork, complete new equipment in the cadet rooms, and paneled lounges for each
floor of barracks. At the same time an addition is being made to the commandant's office and the Y.M.C.A. lobby is being converted
into a lounge for the seniors.
When the cadets return in September they will find a two-story addition to the west end of North Barracks. This will enlarge the
quartermaster's office and provide 12 additional cadet rooms for the Troop.
Another addition planned for this year is the construction of a testing room for the Guidance dept. This will flank the opposite
side of the Administration building across from the commandant's office. When completed the quadrangle-side of the sally-port will
have the same appearance as the front, with towers and battlements completing the balance.
The third stage of the work will be undertaken next summer when work will begin on the east barracks division and the north and east
barracks will be linked by connecting corridors. When the 14-month's project is completed, four of the seven barracks at Culver will
be air-conditioned, the south and west being already modernized.
The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 27, 1937
Here is a 1937 ad:
Here is the Sanborn fire map for the academy grounds in 1937.
1938 - March - Boat shop and boat storage building burned damages of the fire - $100,000 and the Summer Naval School flotilla
destroyed.
The above rare photo has surfaced I I believe this to be the 'Fotilla'.
This 1937-1938 certificate is attesting to the service of an individual as a 2nd Lieutenant at the Academy. Original
signatures of Post Adjutant, Superintendent, Professor of Military Science and Commandant of Cadets. Includes three view of the
Culver Cadets, one on horses in formation in front of the school, the second of Cadets at Artillery practice, and the third of
Cadets in Dress Uniform Passing in Review. Has the Seal of the Academy in the lower left corner.
$150,000 BEING SPENT TO REMODEL CULVER M.A.
Culver, Ind., May 16. - The second phase of the $150,000 remodeling project at the Culver Military Academy got well underway this
week as the cement was being poured for the second air-conditioning unit in rear of the Administration building.
The first part of the construction job was completed recently with the remodeling and air-conditioning of the North Barracks, long
the home of the famous Culver Black Horse Troop. The present plans call for the remodeling of the East baracks [barracks] which house
part of the troop and the administrative offices of the school, including the offices of the superintendent, the dean of the faculty,
and the alumni office, and filing rooms.
A testing room for the guidance department, and a parents lounge will be added to the rear of the barrack and a spacious public
reception room will be provided for in the front overlooking a terrace on beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee.
When the project is completed in the early fall, four of the seven barracks at Culver will be equipped with summer and winter
air-conditioning. This is believed to be the largest air-conditioning system in any private school in America. - -
The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 16, 1938
CULVER CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM IS APPROVED
Culver, Ind., May 18. - A new construction project, estimated to cost approximately
$175,000, and which will completely modernize the service equipment at the Culver
Military Academy, was approved this week at the sixth annual meeting of the Board of
Directors of the Culver Educational Foundation, it has been announced by Colonel Cal. C.
Chambers, secretary of the board. It is proposed that the new project will cover a
15-months period and will be completed by the opening of the school term in
1939. This is the third large project approved by the board within the last 15 months.
The other items include the $150,000 remodeling program now underway on the Administration
building, and the replacement of the Summer Naval School flotilla destroyed in the March
fire.
Power House
Included in the new project will be an addition to the power house, the installation of
a new 625-horse-power boiler, a new electric generator, and a complete revamping,
modernization, and rehabilitation of electric feeder lines, steam heating lines,
transformer stations, and the replacement of all direct current motors with alternating
current motors. Also included will be the installation of a 100,000 gallon water storage
tank and complete new system of fire lines for the entire campus including the
Maxinkuckee Inn, and a sprinkler system in the cadet mess hall. A complete survey of the
needs of the academy were made by John Falvey, consulting engineer of St. Louis, Mo.
Plans were also approved for the erection of a new boat shop and boat storage building
to replace the one burned in the $100,000 fire in March. A new fireproof warehouse for
the storage of tents and summer school equipment was authorized. Plans also call for new
visiting athletic team quarters to be added to the Recreation building and the purchase
of 20 matched bay horses for the field artillery ROTC unit.
Members of Board
Members of the Board present for the meeting included: Bertram B. Culver, chairman;
Edwin R. Culver, Jr., Bertram B. Culver, Jr., Colonel Cal C. Chambers, secretary, all of
St. Louis, Mo.; Brigadier Genjeral [General] L. R. Gignilliat, supt., Culver Military Academy,
Culver, Ind..; Edwin C. McDonald, New York City; Laban J. Brady, Des Moines, Iowa, and
Admiral Hugh Rodman, U. S. Navy, retired, Washington, D. C. William A. Brooks, Oklahoma
City, Okla., Robert S. Bradshaw, St. Louis, and William E. Levis, Toledo, O., were
unable to be present. - -The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 18, 1938
1938 - The Erie coal-fired steam boiler was installed - and coal was supplied by coal mines
of: Sterling-Midland Coal Company;
Maumee Colliers Coal Company and Peabody Coal Company that were located in Greene, Sullivan, Vigo and Clay counties Indiana.
This is found in the 1938 Marshall County Retrospect Based on "Indiana Review," published by the State Legislature:
Culver Military Academy was founded in 1894 by Henry Harrison Culver, a businessman of St. Louis, Missouri,
who had come to realize the lack of system, order and immediate obedience on the part of the young men whom
he took into his employment. Culver Military Academy opened n a frame building with twenty-five pupils. This
building was destroyed by fire, but was replaced with a fireproof brick barracks, which was opened in 1895.
The following year, after the military academy at Mexico, Missouri, had burned, Mr. Culver succeeded in effecting
a combination of the Indiana and Missouri schools under the management of Colonel A. F. Fleet, the founder of
the Missouri Academy. Under his superintendence, the Culver Military Academy acquired an enrollment of nearly
seven hundred cadets and achieved high rank as a military school. Colonel Fleet retired as superintendent in
1910, and was succeeded by Major Leigh R. Gignilliat, who had been commandant of cadets at Culver from 1896.
Mr. Culver, the founder, dying in 1897, members of his family since that time have greatly strengthened the
institution and beautified the grounds. Five barracks, for cadets, a gymnasium, riding hall, hospital,
administration building, class rooms and laboratories, and magnificent mess hall and kitchen, which Governor
Marshall helped to dedicate in 1911, constitute the material equipment of the school. The academy is a member
of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. The entire routine of the school is ordered closely
on the lines followed at West Point. One of the favorite features of the work at Culver has been the cavalry
drill and the Culver Black Horse Troop has made a reputation for horsemanship that has traveled beyond the
United States. After President McKinley was inaugurated in 1896, the black horses used by his Ohio escort were
sold to the Culver Academy and have always been replaced from time to time (many of the horses being lost on
October 24, 1915 in a disastrous fire which destroyed the barns). During the inauguration of President Wilson
and Vice-President Marshall, the Culver Black Horse Troop acted as personal escort to Mr. Marshall. The Culver
Summer Naval School was established in 1902, with a session of eight weeks in which naval drills supplant the
infantry drills of the winter school. The United States Navy Department supplies ten and twelve-oar cutters for
the use of the school. The instructions are under an Annapolis graduate and an act of the Legislature has also
authorized the mustering in each summer of the cadets in the First Battalion of the Indiana Naval Militia. In
1912, a school of woodcraft was added to the Culver program with Daniel Carter Beard, founder of the Boy Scouts
of America and Chief Scout Commissioner, in charge of this department. The Culver Military Academy is located
on the north shore of Maxinkuckee, overlooking Aubeenaubee Bay.
"TOM BROWN OF CULVER" FILM WILL BE REMADE
Culver, Ind., Dec. 20. - "Tom Brown of Culver" the moving picture production which proved to be such an attraction in 1933, is to
be remade by Universal Pictures corporation, it was learned this week at the Culver Military academy
Work is expected to begin on the new picture on January 5, with Joseph Santley directing. Jackie Cooper will be cast in the title
role, with Andy Devine already cast for an important supporting role. Other members of the cast will be announced within a short
time.
A Very Enjoyable Old Campus Drama, About a Orphan who wins a Cadet Scholarship to the Culver Military Academy. He is a cocky kid &
is unwilling to comply with the Academy's strict rules & this soon gets him in hot water. His roommate helps him to settle down &
toe the Line. He soon becomes a Fine Cadet. A Fine Rare Classic Film. Jackie Cooper, Freddie Bartholomew, Andy Devine, Henry Hull,
Jackie Moran, Tim Holt.
For the past week, Whitney Bolton, Hollywood columnist and scenario writer, has been at the academy talking to faculty and cadets
and observing routine of cadet life in order to get "atmosphere" for the new script. - -The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, December 20,
1938
This has become a mandatory viewing for all new cadets entering the Culver Military Academy.
By 1939 it had gained national and international prominence under the leadership of Gen. Leigh R. Gignilliat. Steady growth was
continuing as it always had been.
FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW WILL ATTEND CULVER
Los Angeles, Feb. 22. - Freddie Bartholomew, movie star, will attend Culver (Ind.) Military Academy two months next summer.
This disclosure was made today in connection with settlement of the last several suits in which Freddie and his aunt, Myllicent
Bartholomew, were involved.
Myron Selznick & Co., theatrical agent, had sued for $39,600, charging breach of a contract given them to manage Freddie's radio and
personal appearances. The suit was dismissed yesterday as to the aunt. The boy previously had been eliminated through a demurrer. - -
The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 22, 1939
Also in 1939 The Spirit of Culver, starring Jackie Cooper, Freddie
Bartholomew, and Andy Divine was made. The film was essentially a remake of 1932's Tom Brown of Culver. Spirit of Culver, however,
was filmed entirely in Hollywood, while Tom Brown was filmed partly in Culver.
In the issue of Life Magazine on June 19 1939 a Photographic Essay by Alfred
Eisenstaedt appeared: Boys In Uniform: Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana - Culver Teaching Has Military Trappings - Culver
plays at war with big guns and real Army equipment - Cadets have fun on Maxinkuckee's shores - The general watches his plebes play.
and also in 1939 - Gignilliat reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 and passed the reins of power to Col. William E.
Gregory. The trustees, however, invited him to assume the presidency of the board and remain in the superintendent's home
overlooking Lake Maxinkuckee.
1940 - State Road 110, an east-east road along the Fulton-Marshal county line was established by the state. Also here is a 1940's
campus map from on of the 1940's calendars.
1942 - Col. Edward T. Payson originated "The Moonlight Serenade" on Lake Maxinkuckee, which instantly became an annual event
1942, Gignilliat retired from the school he had served for more than four decades.
1942 - Culver Citizen News articles:
- July 8 – Culver Navel School to undergo first official inspection of Navy Department July 9.
- July 29 – Academy barn and 100 tons of hay destroyed by fire when lightning strikes.
- September 9 – New junior college opens at Academy.
1944 - August 1944 Plans for a Memorial Chapel were formed into honor the
graduates who gave there lives during World War II a total of 288. The trustees and an ad hoc committee of Bertram Beach Culver,
Edwin Raymond Culver Jr., and Cal C. Chambers ’08 found Jens Frederick Larson, architect-in-residence at Dartmouth College.
By late summer of 1944 they reached an agreement for his services and on 28 September he had made his initial visit to the campus.
CULVER ACADEMY PLANS LARGE MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Culver, Ind., July 13. - Plans for a Memorial chapel to be built at Culver Military Academy as an enduring tribute to its alumni
serving in World War II are announced in the recent issue of The Culver, alumni magazine. The Culver Fathers' Association, the Culver
Summer Schools Alumni Association and the Culver Legion are now engaged in raising a fund of $1,000,000 for its construction,
furnishing and endowment.
Keeping full pace with plans for the Memorial Chapel, the board of directors of the Culver Educational Foundation has announced the
allocation of funds for a new health center and two academic buildings, one to house the departments of mathematics and science and
the other the depatments [departments] of social studies' languages and English.
Long Range Program
The allocation of funds for the new building begins a long-range program toward a greater Culver Military Academy. Developed over a
long period, these building plans necessarily were postponed at the outbreak of the war and are now being reactivated. And with the
drive for the million fund under way, the chapel becomes an integral part of these plans.
In May, 1944, the Culver Fathers' Association proposed the erection of a chapel to honor Culver men in the war and urged directors to
permit them to join with the Legion and the Summer Schools Alumni Association in raising necessary funds. In granting approval,
recognizing the appeal of the memorial and the vital place of a chapel upon each generation of cadets, the board of directors made an
[unprecedentd] unprecedented exception to their traditional policy of permitting no organized campaign for financial contributions to
Culver Military Academy.
Plans for the Memorial Chapel have been drawn by Jens Fredrick Larson, internationally known architect. According to plans the chapel
will be located at the approximate center of the Woodcraft Camp site, overlooking the entire campus, and will be connected by arcades
with the Science building on the east and Humanities building on the west.
The plans provide the placing of a carillon in the tower and the Honor Roll will be a feature of the tower vestibule. In planning the
interior, provisions are made to include a pipe organ, seminar room, the oratory, chancel, sanctuary, study and vestry and nave and
gallery seating.
Officers of the Legion, Summer School Alumni Association and Culver Fathers' Association are serving as a chapel fund committee, with
their respective presidents serving as co-chairmen.
The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 13, 1945
1947 - Culver Citizen News articles:
- February 19 - $65,000 fire destroys building at Academy.
- April 23 – The barn on the Academy farm near the airport was destroyed by fire.
- July 16 – Academy radio towers are being dismantled.
- August 6 – Academy has started another apartment building on the East Side.
- October 8 – Construction work on new C. M. A. buildings to start this week.
December 3 – Work has started on moving houses at C. M. A. for expansion program.
1947 - The Culver family personally funded the Naval Building in time for the 1948 Summer Naval School session and being the last
building of the Academy to be funded only by the Culver's along with this project they also funded the renovation of the Infirmary.
22 campus building, had been funded by the Culver family over the years from the time this first building - the Main Barracks had
been erected. This year also saw plans for a club building for the 1st class donated by Ross and Elvira Beason in memory of their
son Cadet Ross Beason
1948 - summer the Naval Building opened for service to the Culver fleet; and in July 1948 this ad or article appeared in the Buick
Magazine.
1949 - May 30 Beason Hall was formally dedicated.
There is a couple 1950's dress coats of the Culver Military Academy
here are some, more uniforms, button & pins; hats; and
hat badges:
Here are patches (various summer, camps etc.) and various
a href="cef_cma/cef_cma_medals.html"> medals.
I have some that are not pictured here that I will have to get scanned in or photographed. Here is the
start of the mess hall silver pieces I have.
Construction of the Memorial Chapel began on April 17, 1950, on a new site, Players’ Hill,
once used for summer band concerts and in line with the Health Center and the Recreation Building
And the cornerstone laying was held during the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees in October of 1950.
The Culver Memorial Chapel was dedicated on
October 20-1, 1951. On this page too are photos of the chapel .
1951 - Major General Delmar T. Spivey becomes Superintendent; started the eighth-grade program in 1951 under the direction of
veteran faculty member Colonel Wallace Leland. Larson, after designing the Naval Building , the Memorial Chapel, and Beason Hall,
ended his association with the Academy. Architectural responsibilities passed to William B. Ittner in St. Louis.
1952 - Culver, Ind., Oct. 30. (INS) -- Word was received in Culver today of the death of Brig. Gen. Leigh R. GIGNILLIAT, former Commander of the Indiana American Legion department and former Culver Military Academy superintendent, in a hsopital in Maywood, Ill., last night.
Gen Gignilliat, who was 77 years old, was born in Savannah, Ga., and held degrees from Emerson Institute, Trinity College and Kenyon College. He was Legion Commander in 1920-21.
Thursday, October 30, 1952 Rochester Sentinel
Final rites for Brigadier General Leigh R. GIGNILLIAT, 77, former head of the Culver Military Academy, were held in Academy's Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. today.
Gen Gignilliat passed away Thursday in the Hines Veterans Hospital, Hines, Ill. Burial was made in the Culver Masonic cemetery.-
Saturday, November 1, 1952 Rochester Sentinel
1953 - Eight new classrooms were installed in the newly remodeled basement of the Legion Memorial Building
1954 - Fifty-three years later, Eugene C. Eppley ’01, by then a hotel magnate, responded to the 1954 announcement
by the Board of Directors of a campaign to raise funds for a new classroom complex. Impressed with its centerpiece, a
proposed Gignilliat Hall, Mr. Eppley pledged $500,000 for the construction of a new science building. With the sale of
his hotel empire of twenty four properties and 5,420 rooms in May of 1956 to the Sheraton Corporation for $30 million,
Eppley turned to philanthropy and Culver was one of the first recipients. During the next four years, this former C Company
commander contributed an additional $700,000 toward the completion of the Gignilliat Quadrangle, $1,400,000 for the
construction of a theater-auditorium and, shortly before his death in 1959, $1,000,000 for the endowment of six academic
chairs
1955 - An Naval Seaman's requirement card can be found here.
1956 - Colonel Charles McKinney retired as commandant in 1956 and his successor, Col. Edward Stephenson.
The passenger train service of the "Academy special" came to and end following the spring vacation.
Delmar T. Spivey becomes superintendent replacing W.E. Gregory in September 1956.
1957 - January 12, 1957, when fire trucks were heard approaching the campus. Someone looked out and shouted, “The
History Department is on fire!” The building was a total loss from fire, water and smoke. Also this month the Black Horse Troop attended their first presidential inaugural parade since 1917.
1957 - the fall opening of school brought the first girls into the sutdent body - being Caroline Curry and Greta Hughes
daughters of faculty members.
1957-58 also brought the end of the "Waiter System" that had been used and insituted "Cafeteria-style" dining into effect.
1958 - The Gignilliat Quadrangle and Hall of Science& Humanities were built and Eugene C. Eppley gave two of the buildings and well as pledged funds for the Eppley Auditorium.
1958 - July 4th The Yarnell was christened and Life Magazine covered it and done several articles on
the academy.
1959 - Delmar T. Spivey wrote and had published: Culver Military Academy, a dedicated institution by
Newcomen Society in North America, New York. and Charles Mather wrote a comprehensive History of the academy.
Here is a 1960's Naval catalog.
The Gift shop at the Culver Inn as well as probably the QM sold novelty
items, and jewelry with the academy's name and emblem on them over the years.
1959/60 - North Lodge and East Lodge were deemed expendable and were razed by 1960.
195_/6_ - sixth superintendent, retired Air Force Major General Delmar T. Spivey, 56, a West Pointer ('28),
World War II bomber pilot, and onetime head of the Air University's War College
1960 - Tuesday, April 12, 1960
Col. Robert Rossow
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Culver Military Academy for Col. Robert ROSSOW, 79, former Academy
superintendent and former head of Indiana state police.
Col. Rossow died at 9 a.m. Monday in Culver, where he was living in retirement. Friends may call at the Easterday funeral home in
Culver. Burial will be in the Culver Masonic cemetery.
Founder of the Academy's famed Black Horse Troop, Col. Rossow also had directed the summer woodcraft camp, summer cavalry camp as
well as being commander of cadets. He retired in 1945 from Academy service, returned in 1952 as mess hall superintedent and then
retired again in 1957.
From 1947 until 1949, he was superintendent of the Indiana state police.
A native of Delray, Mich., he served the Philippines with the 14th U.S. Cavalry. During World War I, he was commander of a machine
gun battalion in France and later served in Germany with the army of occupation. He became a colonel in the cavalry reserve corps
1924.
Among survivors are the wife, one son and one daughter. - Rochester Sentinel
1960 - A tour of the campus and Academy grounds was made to find a proper location for a new Woodcraft site -
the site to the east of St. Rd. 117 was chosen - and a tunnel was built under St. Rd. 117 to access the main
campus. There was no shortage of land for expansion in the future.
Sometime before 1962 - the Academy pirchased the Dillon property on the northeast corner of St. Rd. 10 & 17 where 2 barns, a windmill and a hog lot was. It became the pasture for the Black Horse Troop.
1961 - last corps-wide train trip took place from Hibbard to Ft. Wayne.
1962 - Approval of the
Woodcraft camp for 60 cabins, a dining hall, a headquarters building, a library, and a
museum The Culver brothers - rejected the use of the canvas tents for the
new camp and wanted more permanent structures that would stand the test of time. Lester Heckle designed a
prototype cabin and it was completely furnished to give visitors, alumni and all glimpse of what was to be. It was
placed at the main entrance to the Woodcraft site for duration of the camp season in 1962; and Ground was broken
during the summer of 1962. Then in February 1963 all six-tons of the cabin was towed east to the new Woodcraft site
east on Indiana 10. All odds - seemed against the camp the worst winter - and a muddy spring. The new facilities was
dedicated July 26-27 during the Summer School reunion weekend. The Woodcraft was only a single driveway into
the camp and no egress road
1962 - Molding Men appeared in the issue of Friday, Jan. 5, 1962 of Time Magazine.
Mid 1960's brought an end to the railroad service by the Pennsylvania Railroad to the Academy; the feasibility of
trucking the much needed coal from southern Indiana for fuel was not economical. Along with the aging equipment, dating
back into the 1920s, the lack of preventative maintenance over the years, and not finding the skilled personnel
to operate the power plant becoming difficult to find made it difficult to operate the power plant efficiently and
economically. Thus academy contracted with NIPSCO to bring in natural gas to supply the power plant the Erie coal-fired
steam boiler was converted to gas and required the re-vamping the generator capabilities of the power plant; thus
abandoning the energy independent school-operated power system which generated both heat and electric for the campus.
By the late 1960's the never ending supply of cinders from the power house no longer existed for the Academy's walks,
tracks and roadway's ceased to exist.
Mid 1960's - Here is a summer catalog for all of the summer schools
1965 - established the Culver Summer School for Girls
1966 - May 19 - is a contact between David B. Burns, brick mason and the Culver
Educational Foundation
1967 - Maj. Gen. Delmar Spivey’s retirement in 1967 and the accession of Brig. Gen. John Dobson to the position.
In 1971 the name was revised to Culver Girls Academy was founded and the winter school program began.
1972 - Ralph Manuel became superintendent
In 1975 - the name the name was revised to Culver Girls Academy was revised to Culver Girls Academy
In 1976 - John Mars became superintendent
Sometime in the late 1970's land holdings were:
Sometime in the 1970's or 1980's the big barn that sat on the East side on the
edge of the golf course burned.
1983 - Richard Gwyn Davis wrote a Thesis/dissertation/manuscript: Of arms and the boy : a history of Culver
Military Academy
1984 - eighth-graders program was discontinued.
1986 the Academy had 1500 acres and 37 major buildings.
1989 - President Ralph Manuel moved his residence to the East Shore , this campus icon [Edwin R. Culver's
chateau-style residence overlooking the lake] was razed to make way for the Huffington Library, immediately west of the
Superintendent’s Home also sat a private residence belonging to the David Braden; had been acquired by the Academy
in the early 1930s and the guest house, it too, was demolished to make way for the library. May 15-17 the Academy's
1st museum is dedicated - and is housed in the 2nd and 3 rd floor towers of the Arsenal.
1991 - Culver Citizen news items
- January 16 – Construction of the Huffington Library was under way on the Culver Academies campus with pouring of concrete footings expected any day…
- January 23 – It was revealed that the Culver Inn would be demolished sometime in the spring…
- May 22 – Police are looking for an arsonist who set a fire at the Woodcraft Camp at the Culver Academies…
- May 29 – Two Culver Military Academy students were expelled after admitting their involvement in the fire that did $10,000 in damage at the Woodcraft Camp…
During mid-1990s, the ageing Erie boiler was removed from the powerhouse and replaced with two Superior 400 horsepower fire
tube natural gas boilers thus updating the power plant.
And in 1996 the land holdings is shown as follows:
1996 - Installed a cogeneration system. Ballard Engineering of Rockford, Illinois designed and installed the cogeneration system
for CMA using two (2) 525 kw generators. Charles Equipment Company provided the two 525 kw Waukesha Model VHP3600GSI Enginators
which will operate continuously at 1050 kw using 130°F intercooler water. The ebulliently cooled Enginators will be producing low
pressure steam using Maxim steam generators. Integrated into the new boiler system which consists of two 400 hp boilers.
1996 - October 9 – The Dicke Administration Center was dedicated in the Legion Memorial Building on the campus of the
Culver Academies…
The Waukesha Enginators can be operated intermittently at 575 kw. This additional available power provides increased system
flexibility. The new plant will operate 24/7.
Mid 2000's has seen the installation of natural gas reciprocating engines that drive two electric generators.
2002 - Robert's Hall of Science Dicke Hall of Mathematics completed September 2002. Total cost $16,935,000.00, designed by
Architecture Design Group and Ballinger Architects of Philadelphia served as the laboratory design consultant. A 64,000
[76,000] square foot facility housing classrooms and offices for both the science and math departments at Culver Academies.
Science teaching spaces for chemistry, biology, and integrated science are designed as combination lab/classroom, allowing the
class to move from lecture to lab effortlessly in the same period. The building also contains a circular shaped, tiered auditorium
for large classes and lectures, and is equipped with state of the art audio-video-data projection equipment. Major hallways are
single-loaded and provide excellent views of Lake Maxinkuckee. The height and scale of the new building is compatible with the
existing campus buildings. The exterior building materials follow the campus standard of brick, limestone, and slate. This
building won the 2003 AIA Indiana Honor Award, and was published in 2003 for Outstanding Project Selection in American School &
University Architectural Showcase.
2005 - August 10 - All aircraft at a northern Indiana private school have been grounded while
an investigation continues into what caused one of its planes to crash into a lake. A teenager
from Tampa and his 21-year-old flight instructor were killed in the crash.
2006 - A Renovation project of $10 million got under way for the complete renovation of the Department of Horsemanship’s Vaughn
Equestrian Center. The stable will be replaced with 100 new stalls (barn), and the riding hall and the Black Horse Troop lounge will
be renovated also a temporary structure has been placed East of the Riding hall to use for temporary quarters to prevent the
interruption of any of the existings programs during the construction period. There will be a new drop off area with parking on the
West side of the building and a new entrace date to the North of the building also.
2007 February - John N. Buxton, Culver Academies’ current and 12th head of schools. Issued a press release of the aviation program -
before publicly doing it in the newspapers and the Culver Alumni he sent a letter to Culver Summer school alumni and supporters sometime in
January annoucing the aviation programs fate - Academies close air program.
27 Aug. 2007 - The fire broke out at 1:10 a.m. on the third floor of the South Barrack. One room was gutted and the rest of the
floor was damaged. None of the boys was seriously injured at Culver Academies.
Culver sets new fund goals
Prep school attained their $200M goal 2 years early.
2007 - October 9 - found at Ft. Wayvne.com/News Sentinel:
By The Associated Press
CULVER — Culver Academies surpassed a $200 million fundraising goal two years sooner than expected and is now targeting $300 million in
donations.
The private college prep school in northern Indiana has so far received about $222 million from its campaign committee, trustees, alumni,
parents, students and other foundations and corporations, said James A. Henderson, retired Cummins Engine Co. CEO and chairman of the
Culver Educational Foundation. “Culver is all about teaching leadership and core values,” Henderson said Monday.
“It changes lives in a profound way, and our alumni, parents and friends understand and appreciate this fact.”
The five-year campaign began in October 2004. About 60 percent of the money raised will be earmarked for the school's endowment; the
rest will be used for annual operating expenses and renovations to classrooms and other campus facilities.
Culver was founded in 1894 along Lake Maxinkuckee, about 100 miles north of Indianapolis, as a military academy and boarding school for
boys and was opened to girls in 1971. Its alumni include New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, race car owner and businessman
Roger Penske, Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, actor Hal Holbrook, and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh.
Campus, Parade Ground , Naval Building, Tennis Courts; and boat house, pier and
dock.
To the north of the main campus across State Road 10 is:
The Boat repair house, the Gardens, baseball and soccer fields, the Council fire area and the bird
sanctuary. Sometime during the late 1950's a lake was built within the bird sanctuary, here are some
pictures of it.
2000 - Culver's 1800-acre campus has 38 main facilities
including four academic buildings, a 50-bed health center, an auditorium, a 150000-volume library, student
dormitories, an ice arena and an athletic center.
East of Campus
Across State Road 117 is the
Woodcraft camp and beyond it
is the airport, and The Golf course on south east on the Woodcraft Campus.
401 Woodcraft Camp
475 Culver Academy Golf Course
and also this is the basic information about the golf course as listed on site about golf courses across the United States:
Contact: Culver Military Academy
Culver, IN 46511 United States
Phone: (574) 842-8218
Website: www.culver.org
About this course: Culver Course
9 hole regulation length course
University facility
Private Non-Equity golf course
Staff: Diane Parsons, Manager
David Blaylock, Superintendent
36 par
3,104 yards
$18 green fees* on weekends
$18 green fees* on weekdays
* includes golf cart where available
Knight K. Culver Cottage. Was purchased In 1935 and turned the "Golf Club".
480 - Culver Farm House
504 - Culver Homestead - here can be found the history and more pictures.
663 - CMA South Apartments
661 - CMA Faculty Apartments
A listings of all property holdings of the academy that I have found is listed
here.
Here are various vintage photos of the Culver Military academy: Aubeenaubee Bay & Park; Naval School; and
for more buildings campus and activities will be placed on a series of
pages.
|