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. 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, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hargrave World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard A. Potter Memorial

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(about 500 feet away); The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Bilhartz Hall Munitions Plant (approx. ¼ mile away); Bilhartz, Hall & Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); Pittsylvania County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pittsylvania County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Hargrave Military Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

2. Hargrave Military Academy

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

3. Hargrave Military Academy Marker

75mm Field Gun (M1897) on the Grounds of the Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

4. 75mm Field Gun (M1897) on the Grounds of the Academy

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

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

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 50 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.