Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Professor John Metcalfe Starke / Starke University School
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010
1. Professor John Metcalfe Starke Marker
Inscription.
Professor John Metcalfe Starke, also, Starke University School. .
Professor John Metcalfe Starke "Fessor Starke" 1860-1941. A native of Virginia, John Metcalfe Starke received his early education in Petersburg and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1882, earning diplomas in Latin and mathematics. He taught in Virginia and North Carolina before coming to Montgomery in 1887 as headmaster for a boys' school organized by prominent local men. Its success caused him to start a school of his own at Hamner Hall. In 1897 he built a building here. The following year he married Frances Powell. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama in 1929. A small, wiry man, honest, courageous and fair, he believed fervently in the school's motto, "Work Wins." For over half a century, he was a paragon as an educator here in Montgomery.,
Starke University School 1888 - 1968 "Omnia vincit labor - Work Wins". In 1887, eighteen prominent men founded a private school for boys, hiring John Metcalfe Starke as its headmaster. In 1888, Starke opened his school. Rigidly high academic, military and disciplinary standards prevailed throughout the next eighty years. Boys who fell behind reported for Saturday classes. From 1897-1923 the school stood here on Dexter Avenue; later located on Houston Street and then on Mount Meigs Road. Professor Starke died in 1941. The school continued, closing in 1967-68. A governor, U.S. Senator, judges, generals, doctors, businessmen, academics, lawyers and financiers were among Starke School's many distinguished graduates.
Professor John Metcalfe Starke "Fessor Starke" 1860-1941
A native of Virginia, John Metcalfe Starke received his early education in Petersburg and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1882, earning diplomas in Latin and mathematics. He taught in Virginia and North Carolina before coming to Montgomery in 1887 as headmaster for a boys' school organized by prominent local men. Its success caused him to start a school of his own at Hamner Hall. In 1897 he built a building here. The following year he married Frances Powell. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama in 1929. A small, wiry man, honest, courageous and fair, he believed fervently in the school's motto, "Work Wins." For over half a century, he was a paragon as an educator here in Montgomery.
Starke University School 1888 - 1968 "Omnia vincit labor - Work Wins"
In 1887, eighteen prominent men founded a private school for boys, hiring John Metcalfe Starke as its headmaster. In 1888, Starke opened his school. Rigidly high academic, military and disciplinary standards prevailed throughout the next eighty years. Boys who fell behind reported for Saturday classes. From 1897-1923 the school stood here on Dexter Avenue; later located on Houston Street and then on Mount Meigs Road. Professor
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Starke died in 1941. The school continued, closing in 1967-68. A governor, U.S. Senator, judges, generals, doctors, businessmen, academics, lawyers and financiers were among Starke School's many distinguished graduates.
Erected 2001 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 32° 22.646′ N, 86° 18.122′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Dexter Avenue east of South Decatur Street, on the right when traveling east. Located at North end of the State Offices Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Dexter Ave, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Professor John Metcalfe Starke / Starke University School Marker
Marker was moved in 2019 to make way for development of the Alabama Bicentennial Park.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010
4. Professor John Metcalfe Starke / Starke University School Marker
Former location
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010
5. Professor John Metcalfe Starke / Starke University School Marker
Former location.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,447 times since then and 105 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 3. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5. submitted on October 5, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
