Bellefonte Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bellefonte Academy
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 225 W. Bishop St., Bellefonte, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1805, 1839–1845, 1904, 1913 |
| Architect | Robert Cole (1904 expansion) |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001617 |
| Added to NRHP | 1976, delisted December 17, 2008 |
Bellefonte Academy was a historic school building located in Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. It was a private school that educated students for many years. The building itself had a long and interesting history, changing and being rebuilt several times.
Contents
The History of Bellefonte Academy
The first part of the Bellefonte Academy building was constructed in 1805. It was a two-story building made of limestone. This original structure was rectangular in shape.
How the Building Grew
Over time, the school needed more space. Between 1839 and 1845, the building was made larger. Two new sections, called bays, were added. Also, wings were built on both the north and south sides of the main building.
Rebuilding After a Fire
In 1904, a fire damaged the academy. But the school was rebuilt and improved! A third story was added to the building. A large entrance area, known as a portico, was also built. This portico had six tall columns in the Tuscan order style. The new design also included details from the Classical Revival style, which was popular at the time. A few years later, in 1913, the wings of the building were made even bigger. The property also included a house for the school's headmaster, or principal.
Its Place in History
Bellefonte Academy was recognized for its historical importance. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. The academy was also part of the Bellefonte Historic District, which protects many old buildings in the area.
The End of an Era
Sadly, on July 14, 2004, another fire destroyed the Bellefonte Academy building. Because it was no longer standing, it was removed from the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Even though the building is gone, its history and the people it educated are still remembered.
Famous Former Students
Many notable people, known as alumni, attended Bellefonte Academy. Here are some of them:
- Edward Goodrich Acheson (1856–1931)
- Clifford Carlson (1894–1964)
- Lionel Conacher (1900–1954)
- Andrew Gregg Curtin (1817–1894)
- Luby DiMeolo (1903–1966)
- J. Wesley Gephart (1853–1905)
- Daniel H. Hastings (1849–1903)
- Frank Hood (1908–1955)
- George K. James (1905–1994)
- Mose Kelsch (1897–1935)
- Martin Kottler (1910–1989)
- Jacob Hiram Myers (1841-1920) (inventor of the Automatic voting machine)
- James H. Osmer (1832–1912)
- Gerald Snyder (1905–1983)
- Jake Stahl (1891–1966)
- John Hubler Stover (1833–1889)
- Harp Vaughan (1903–1978)
- Robert J. Walker (1801–1869)
- John Montgomery Ward (1860–1925)
