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

Northwestern Military and Naval Academy

Photographed By Paul F, September 20, 2009

1. Northwestern Military and Naval Academy Marker

Inscription. Educational reformer Harlan Page Davidson founded Northwestern Military Academy in Highland Park, Illinois in 1888. For years many of the cadets came from northern Illinois, but enrollment broadened when the academy moved to the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in 1915.
The Davidson family (Harlan Page and especially his son Royal Page) continued to operate the school until 1944, when the main line of the family died out. During this period the academy gained national fame with the Bycicle Corps (traveling to Washington DC), and even more with its cadet-produced armored cars.
The Lake Geneva campus commanded a magnificent view of the lake. For many years sailing and boating were important parts of the cadet life, signified by the addition of “Naval” to the academy’s original “Military” title.
In 1944, the Academy’s operation passed to the Episcopal Church. Financial constraints led to the sale of surplus academy property in the early 1970s. In 1995, the school merged with St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, to become St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.

Erected 2005 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 497.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education

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• Military. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 43° 3.902′ N, 88° 24.332′ W. Marker is in Delafield, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of St. John's Road and Farrand Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 North Genesee St, Delafield WI 53018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. John's Military Academy (here, next to this marker); 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); a different marker also named 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. Northwestern Military and Naval Academy Marker

Companion sign with St. John's Military Academy

Photographed By Paul F, September 20, 2009

3. Northwestern Military and Naval Academy Marker

Companion sign with St. John's Military Academy and campus building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,973 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.