Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Battle Ground Academy

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 16, 2019

1. Battle Ground Academy Marker (front)

Inscription.
Front:
Founded in 1889 as Battle Ground Academy, the first campus was located on the foundation of the Carter Cotton Gin on Cleburne Street, the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin in 1864. BGA, founded on the principles of Character, Scholarship and Excellence, was dedicated in an address by U.S. Senator William B. Bate. In 1893, the Chickasaw Nation sent twelve young men here to prepare for Vanderbilt University. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1902 and the school moved to this campus. Popularly called the Wall & Mooney School under headmasters, S.V. Wall and W.D. Mooney, then Mooney School and later the Peoples School under headmaster R.G. “Daddy” Peoples, BGA flourished as a boarding school, later a day school and co-ed, to all boys and then back to co-ed in 1979.

Back:
Heads of the school after Wall (1889-1894) and Mooney (1889-1902) include James A. Peoples and Ernest Rees (1902-1903), R.G. “Daddy” Peoples (1903-1925), George I. Briggs (1924-1944), Glenn Eddington, Sr. (1944-1950), Jonas Coverdale (1950-1959), Paul Redick (1959-68), J.B. Akin (1968-1969), and Dr. Ronald

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Griffeth (1990-2004). In 1996, Battle Ground Academy’s Upper School moved approximately five miles to a more central location in Franklin on Ernest Rice Lane off Mack Hatcher Highway. In 2003, BGA’s Middle School relocated there as well. Additionally, Battle Ground Academy acquired the former Harpeth Academy in 1998, allowing it to offer excellence in education from kindergarten through 12th grade.
In honor of Larry McElroy
Donated by BGA alumnae attending 1979-1982

Erected by Williamson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee – Williamson County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 35° 54.794′ N, 86° 52.444′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is at the intersection of Columbia Avenue (Business U.S. 31) and Everbright Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Columbia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Battle Ground Academy Marker (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 16, 2019

2. Battle Ground Academy Marker (back)

this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Franklin (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle Ground Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Beasley Town / Bate's Division on the Western Flank (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Carter Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stewart's Corps on the Eastern Flank (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Carter Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Franklin Housing Authority (FHA)/ Reddick Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wagner's Advanced Line (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Cotton Gin Assault

Battle Ground Academy marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 16, 2019

3. Battle Ground Academy marker site

Renaissance High School in the background.

(was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Battle Ground Academy. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on March 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Battle Ground Academy image. Click for full size.

From Leonidaspolk.org, Onknown

4. Battle Ground Academy

The original building. The Cleburne Memorial is adjacent.

Battle Ground Academy buildings through time image. Click for full size.

From Leonidaspolk.org, Unknown

5. Battle Ground Academy buildings through time

The Peoples School is center right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 1,074 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.