Fort Defiance in Augusta County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Augusta Military Academy

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

1. Augusta Military Academy Marker

Inscription. Soon after the Civil War ended in 1865, Confederate veteran Charles S. Roller began teaching at the Old Stone Church nearby at Ft. Defiance. By 1874 he had founded Augusta Male Academy and incorporated military discipline into its classical curriculum by 1880. Roller renamed it Augusta Military Academy in 1890; it was the first military preparatory school in Virginia. In 1919, the Academy was among the first schools in America to adopt a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The Academy’s international reputation for excellence in secondary level military education attracted more than 7,000 students from the United States and abroad before it closed in 1984.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number A-100.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Military. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 38° 14.175′ N, 78° 58.56′ W. Marker is in Fort Defiance, Virginia, in Augusta County. Marker is on Lee Highway (U.S. 11) south of Fort Defiance Road (County Route 616), on the

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right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1640 Lee Hwy, Fort Defiance VA 24437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quarles Walk (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); This 1886 Bell (about 600 feet away); Augusta Military Academy Museum (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Augusta Military Academy (about 700 feet away); Dwight D. Eisenhower Visits Augusta Military Academy (about 700 feet away); The Rev. John Craig (about 700 feet away); Augusta Stone Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Augusta Stone Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Defiance.

Also see . . . The History of Augusta Military Academy. (Submitted on September 28, 2008.)

Additional commentary.
1.
I was very surprised to see again photos of the academy. After all these years it brings me back memories of the time I spent there, when I was 15 years old in the course of year 1960. Thank you for the memories.
—Benjamin Flores, Class of 1960.

— Submitted
Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

2. Rt 11 (facing south)
May 31, 2010, by Benjamin Flores of Miami,florida.

2. Memories
Although at the time, military discipline was harsh and strict, it helped mold my character and if not for the Viet Nam War, I would have chosen to make my career within the U.S. Armed Forces.

From my arrival at AMA's campus on September 1959 through June 1962, my experience was absolute for I met many people of whom I have nice memories. I'm sorry it was closed down because it was a good school.

I went back for a visit, ignoring it had closed down but will visit on my next trip to the East Coast. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted July 31, 2011, by Julio F.Diaz Milian of Merliot Santa Tecla, El Salvador.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, May 14, 2010

3. Augusta Military Academy Marker

Looking south on U.S Route 11 in front of the Old Academy entrance.

Augusta Military Academy Gates image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

4. Augusta Military Academy Gates

The marker is out of frame to the left.

Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Fort Defiance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, May 25, 2012

5. Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Fort Defiance

Church is located north of the Old Academy on the adjoining property.

Augusta Military Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

6. Augusta Military Academy

Dress Parade, Augusta Military Academy, Fort Defiance, “8 Miles From” Staunton Va. image. Click for full size.

J. J. Prats Postcard Collection

7. Dress Parade, Augusta Military Academy, Fort Defiance, “8 Miles From” Staunton Va.

Undated postcard published by Valley News Agency, Staunton, Va. Caption on back reads “An awe-inspiring sight — cadets on parade at Augusta Military Academy.”

Augusta Military Academy Gymnasium image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

8. Augusta Military Academy Gymnasium

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

9. Augusta Military Academy

The Old Gymnasium can be seen in the background.

Augusta Military Academy Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

10. Augusta Military Academy Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,651 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 28, 2012, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on May 28, 2012, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.