Chatham in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hargrave Military Academy
Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013
1. Hargrave Military Academy Marker
Inscription.
Hargrave Military Academy. . One of the few private military academies in Virginia, Hargrave Military Academy was founded in 1909 by John Hunt Hargrave and the Rev. T. Ryland Sanford as Chatham Training School. It was chartered in 1911 and became affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia in 1913. Chatham Training School provided a general education for boys. During World War One, military training was permanently added as an integral part of the school's curriculum. The school was renamed Hargrave Military Academy in 1925 in honor of the founder.
One of the few private military academies in Virginia, Hargrave Military Academy was founded in 1909 by John Hunt Hargrave and the Rev. T. Ryland Sanford as Chatham Training School. It was chartered in 1911 and became affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia in 1913. Chatham Training School provided a general education for boys. During World War One, military training was permanently added as an integral part of the school's curriculum. The school was renamed Hargrave Military Academy in 1925 in honor of the founder.
Erected 2009 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-51.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 36° 49.878′ N, 79° 23.935′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Military Drive and Hargrave Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on Military Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatham VA 24531,
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.
4. 75mm Field Gun (M1897) on the Grounds of the Academy
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
5. National Register of Historic Places
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
6. National Register of Historic Places
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
7. Hargrave Military Academy
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
8. Rev. T. R. Sanford
This portrait of Hargrave's co-founder, is on display in Main Hall on the school's campus.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
9. Hargrave Military Academy
The campus is notable for its consistent use of colonial revival style architecture, such as their chapel, seen here.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026
10. Hargrave Military Academy
The campus is notable for its consistent use of colonial revival style architecture, such as the building seen here.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 826 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 13, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.