Chatham in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center
Hargrave Military Academy
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
1. The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center Marker
In 1995 the Hargrave Board of Trustees set out to design and build not just an aquatics center, but the "fastest pool on the East Coast." The Academy's Chairman of the Board at that time, Ned Johnson, led this effort compelled by his experience mentoring his daughter Ginny Johnson, an olympic swimming prospect. Ginny's Coach Ray Brussard worked with Ned to design and ultimately create this amazing Aquatics Center at Hargrave Military Academy. Ray Brussard, a graduate of Bridgewater College went on to Coach swimming at The University of Tennessee for 23 years from 1966 - 1989 where he went 252 - 20 including 9 undefeated seasons, receiving numerous accolades including SEC Coach of the Year 5 times and National Coach of the Year 2 times. Coach Brussard was instrumental in the design of the Academy's full size Olympic 50 meter pool with 8 lanes, a 16 foot deep end for two 1 meter boards, and one 3 meter board. There have been numerous USA swimming records and college records recorded in our pool that still stand today. The pool was made possible through the generosity of Hayako Onishi Cook and Ben R. Davenport, Jr. The pool
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Erected 1995 by Hargrave Military Academy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.
Location. 36° 49.886′ N, 79° 24.106′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It can be reached from J R Hill Memorial Drive west of Military Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located on the grounds of Hargrave Military Academy. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Military Drive, Chatham VA 24531, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia, specifically in the Piedmont, and in Southside Virginia. 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 original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
2. The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Richard A. Potter Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hargrave World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away); Hargrave Military Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bilhartz, Hall & Co. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bilhartz Hall Munitions Plant (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pittsylvania County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Clerk's Office (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
3. The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
4. The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
5. The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 12, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
