Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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History N 1879, Dr. Edward Wyman, long and favorably known as one of the foremost educators of St. Louis, Missour i, pur- chased the Bostwick Place” for the purpose of making it a home school for boys. He made extensive improvements in the building and opened the school in the fall of that year under the name of Wyman Institute. The school prospered under his sole administration until his death in 1888. The spirit and reputation of the institution were carried on during the next four years by Mrs. Edward Wyman. She was ably assisted by Albert M. Jackson, who had served under Dr. Wyman since 1 885, and a second resident instructor, George D. Eaton, who was added to the staff in 1889. The property known as “Wyman Institute” was sold in 1892 by Mrs. Wyman to Willis Brown, a retired banker of Lawrence, Kansas. During his four years of ownership new buildings were erected, nearly doubling the size of the school, and all appointments were modernized. The name of the institution was changed to the Western Military Academy. Both Federal and State governments gave material evidence of their support. The State made the Western Military Academy a post of the Illinois National Guard and the members of the faculty were thereafter commissioned on the staff of the governor with various ranks. Albert M. Jackson continued through this period as princ ipal and George D. Eaton as his first assistanTT - — ■ In 1896 the ownership passed into the hands of Albert M. Jackson and George D. Eaton. Colonel Jackson continued as president of the academy until his death in 1919, since which time Colonel Eaton has occupied this position. The entire plant was destroyed by fire in 1903 and was at once replaced by the first of the present group of fireproof buildings which now house the school. More buildings were added as the school grew, and at the end of this long period of successful administration, the modern Western Military Academy was emerged, with an enrollment of 300 instead of 30, and with a complete set of fireproof buildings instead of remodeled dwellings, and with a national reputation instead of a local one. - § ► dllp

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History OLONEL R. L. JACKSON, the son of Colonel A. M. Jackson, a graduate of the school, also of Princeton Uni- versity, and a member of the faculty since 1911, became the principal in 1919. The school continued to enjoy pros- perity. more buildings were added, and still higher standards were set and achieved in academic and military departments. In 1925, Colonel Eaton was relieved of much detail work. Colonel Jackson became the superintendent, and Major R. E Wilkinson became the principal. Major Wilkinson had served as head of the Mathematical Department for twenty-three years and is well qualified in training and experience for his present responsibilities. Major R. S. Eaton is the registrar and a member of the present administrative group. He graduated from Western in 1916, later from Harvard University, and joined the faculty as instructor in mathematics in 1922. Since 1922. Western has embarked upon a very pronounced building and improvement program. During 192V24, Barracks E was constructed. A fireproof building, made of stone and brick, and containing thirty-four rooms and two officers suites, has provided excellent standard equipment as well as a very suitable place for the science department. The entire basement of the building has been equipped into a very modern science laboratory. In September, 1927, work was begun on the new athletic field. Named in honor of the President of Western, Colonel Eaton, the field is considered to be one of the finest in this part of the country. On commencement day, June, 1928, Eaton Field was formally dedicated. With the dawn of 1929 came the policy of making a fiftieth anniversary memorial to the progress of a half century of Western activities and growth. T he new addition to “C” Barracks added greatly to the comforts of the cadets and the up-to-date equipment of the school. The erection of a new addition to the drill hall has enhanced greatly the facilities for social, athletic and dramatic possibilities. The proposed memorial gateway, a testimonial to the labors and work of Colonel A. M. Jackson and to the men who served during the great war, gives evidence of the marked improvements which the last few years have wrought. With these lasting proofs of progress one well remembers that . . . Learn that high natures over Time prevail And feel ourselves a link in entail That hinds all ages past with all that are to be ' '