Delafield in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. John's Military Academy

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

1. St. John's Military Academy Marker

Inscription. St. John’s, the oldest Military Academy in Wisconsin, was founded as a boy’s prep school in 1844 when Sidney T. Smythe, a student at Nashotah House, reopened an abandoned Delafield schoolhouse for St. John’s first students. Dr. Smythe graduated from Nashotah in 1886 and devoted the rest of his life to building the Academy.
The main campus buildings were built to complement each other in design and appearance. Of English Gothic design with serrated roofs, towers and battlements of stone, they resemble old-time European castles.
St. John’s is an influential educational force in the Midwest drawing its students from many states and foreign countries. The philosophy of the military type of education was adopted to emphasize quality, instill self-discipline, and provide team spirit and leadership qualities.
This philosophy, combined with St. John’s original religious intentions, represents a distinctive side of the American Spirit.

Erected 1978 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 244.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Military. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 43° 3.902′

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N, 88° 24.332′ W. Marker is in Delafield, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It can be reached from the intersection of St. John's Road and Farrand Street. On the campus grounds off Genesee Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delafield WI 53018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (here, next to this marker); St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Delafield Fish Hatchery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hawks Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cushing Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Bishop Jackson Kemper Home Built 1849 (approx. ¾ mile away); Nashotah Mission (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lapham Peak (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delafield.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

2. St. John's Military Academy Marker

Companion sign with Northwestern Military Academy

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

3. St. John's Military Academy Marker

With companion sign for Northwestern Military Academy and campus building

<i>St. Johns' Military Academy, Delafield, Wis.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by Munger, circa 1910

4. St. Johns' Military Academy, Delafield, Wis.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,243 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on February 19, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.