Bryan in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Allen Academy

Photographed by Chris Talley

1. Allen Academy Marker

Restored By Chris and Nicole 12/25

Inscription. This school originated as Madison Academy, founded in 1886 in Madisonville by John Hodges Allen (1854-1920), an educator from Mississippi. When his brother Rivers O. Allen (1865-1925) joined him in 1896, the institution became Allen Academy, a private boarding school for boys. During the summer of 1899, the Allens moved the school to Bryan to the corner of 22nd & Ursuline Ave.

In the early years of the 20th century, enrollment steadily increased. The campus was enlarged and new buildings erected to accommodate the students. During World War I, military training was introduced. In 1925 John Allen's son Nat Burtis Allen (1892-1946) became director of the school. During his tenure, the academy continued to grow and gained national recognition. When he died in 1946, the campus contained over 300 acres, including a farm and dairy. His son Nat Burtis Allen, Jr. (1919-1973) guided the institution until 1973 and led in establishing a broader curriculum.

Allen Academy, relocated here in 1988, is the oldest accredited, non-sectarian preparatory school for boys operating in Texas, its graduates include leaders in government and business. Today the institution is co-educational and offers a broad range of scholastic programs for boarding and day students.

Erected 1992 by Texas Historical

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Commission. (Marker Number 8661.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 30° 40.217′ N, 96° 18.976′ W. Marker is in Bryan, Texas, in Brazos County. It is on Boonville Road (Texas Route 158) west of Farm to Market Road 1179, on the right when traveling west. Behind front main gates of Allen Academy school. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3201 Boonville Rd, Bryan TX 77802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

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: The Old Boonville School Play Yard (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wesa Weddington (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of the Town of Boonville (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stagecoach Travel (approx. 0.9 miles away); Men of Vision (approx. 0.9 miles away); Brazos County Courthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Twin Sisters (approx. 0.9 miles away); Boonville Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryan.

More about this marker. The marker is turned away from road to face the school.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Chris Talley of Bryan, Texas. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 31 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Chris Talley of Bryan, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A clear closeup photo of the text. • A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?