Northwestern Military and Naval Academy
Encyclopedia
Northwestern Military Academy (founded 1888) was a high school in Linn, Wisconsin which was founded by Harlan Page Davidson
. Originally located in Highland Park, Illinois
, the school was relocated to the town of Linn, Wisconsin
on the south shore of Geneva Lake
near the city of Lake Geneva
in 1915 and was renamed Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (NMNA).
During the academy's century of operation its primary goal was to mold young men, grades 9-12, into outstanding citizens, eager and ready for higher levels of education. The institution adhered to the visions and principles of Davidson which adopted military structure and religious principles into an exceptionally sound educational program. The results were a capstone curriculum which ranked the academy as one of the most prestigious schools within the nation. Within the later years of its operation the institution decided to expand upon its enrollment spectrum and began accepting students from the 7th and 8th grade level.
In 1995 the institution merged with rival school St John's Military Academy to form St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
. The Lake Geneva property was abandoned for a few years, which fell victim to vandalism and became the late night choice of neighboring kids. Before the turn of the century the property was sold to a developing company. The several acres of NMNA land has been transformed into an affluent community peppered with expensive, ostentatious homes. The Davidson Building in Lake Geneva no longer exists, but in its place is a piece of stone from the school with a plaque of remembrance.
Some scenes in the motion picture Damien: Omen II
were filmed at the Geneva Lake
campus of Northwestern Military and Naval Academy.
Harlan Page Davidson
Harlan Page Davidson was an educator in private education.-Early life:Davidson was born in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The census records show his parents moved to Colebrook, New Hampshire around 1840. His early education was limited to a few weeks during winter in a country public school...
. Originally located in Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. As of 2009, the population is 33,492. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.-Overview:Highland Park was founded...
, the school was relocated to the town of Linn, Wisconsin
Linn, Wisconsin
Linn is a town in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,194 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Zenda is located within the town.-Geography:...
on the south shore of Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake is a body of freshwater in southeastern Wisconsin in Walworth county. On its shores are the city of Lake Geneva, and the villages of Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake, and Williams Bay....
near the city of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.-History:...
in 1915 and was renamed Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (NMNA).
During the academy's century of operation its primary goal was to mold young men, grades 9-12, into outstanding citizens, eager and ready for higher levels of education. The institution adhered to the visions and principles of Davidson which adopted military structure and religious principles into an exceptionally sound educational program. The results were a capstone curriculum which ranked the academy as one of the most prestigious schools within the nation. Within the later years of its operation the institution decided to expand upon its enrollment spectrum and began accepting students from the 7th and 8th grade level.
In 1995 the institution merged with rival school St John's Military Academy to form St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
St. John's Northwestern Military Academy was founded in 1884 as St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, by Rev. Sidney T. Smythe as a private, all-male college preparatory and leadership development school. In 1995, St. John's Military Academy merged with Northwestern Military and...
. The Lake Geneva property was abandoned for a few years, which fell victim to vandalism and became the late night choice of neighboring kids. Before the turn of the century the property was sold to a developing company. The several acres of NMNA land has been transformed into an affluent community peppered with expensive, ostentatious homes. The Davidson Building in Lake Geneva no longer exists, but in its place is a piece of stone from the school with a plaque of remembrance.
Some scenes in the motion picture Damien: Omen II
Damien: Omen II
Damien: Omen II, is a 1978 American horror film directed by Don Taylor, starring William Holden, Lee Grant, and Jonathan Scott-Taylor. The film was the second installment in The Omen series, set seven years after the first film, and was followed by a third installment, Omen III: The Final Conflict,...
were filmed at the Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake is a body of freshwater in southeastern Wisconsin in Walworth county. On its shores are the city of Lake Geneva, and the villages of Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake, and Williams Bay....
campus of Northwestern Military and Naval Academy.
Headmasters of the Academy
- Harlan Page DavidsonHarlan Page DavidsonHarlan Page Davidson was an educator in private education.-Early life:Davidson was born in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The census records show his parents moved to Colebrook, New Hampshire around 1840. His early education was limited to a few weeks during winter in a country public school...
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Royal Page DavidsonRoyal Page DavidsonRoyal Page Davidson was an American educator and inventor.- Early life :Davidson was born in Somerville, New Jersey on October 9, 1870. His early basic education was in a country public school.- Mid life :... - FatherFatherA father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
Walter Jacobsen - Daniel P. Snow
Notable alumni
- Northwestern 1919-20 - Spencer TracySpencer TracySpencer Bonaventure Tracy was an American theatrical and film actor, who appeared in 75 films from 1930 to 1967. Tracy was one of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, ranking among the top ten box office draws for almost every year from 1938 to 1951...
- Two-Time Academy Award–Winning Actor (Did not graduate). - Northwestern 1925 - Marshall S. RothMarshall S. RothMarshall S. Roth was a Major General in the United States Air Force.-Career:Roth graduated from the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in 1925 and the United States Military Academy in 1929. During World War II he served with the Eighth Air Force, the Fifth Air Force, the Fourteenth Air Force,...
- U.S. Air Force Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
. - Northwestern 1934 - Carl Thomsen - Former C.E.O. of Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
. - Northwestern 1947 - Douglas J. Ewing - U.S. Army Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
. - Northwestern 1948 - Curtis RooseveltCurtis RooseveltCurtis Roosevelt is the second eldest child of Anna Roosevelt and her first husband, Curtis Bean Dall. He is the eldest grandson of United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. He is the younger brother of Eleanor Roosevelt Seagraves...
- Eldest Grandson of President Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. He was a statesman who served as a delegate representing the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. - Northwestern 1966 - Albert Graf - Founder of Guidant Corp..