Dr. Holbrook's Military School facts for kids
Dr. Holbrook's Military School, c. 1900
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Former names
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Mr. Tracy's School, Saint Denis Institute |
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| Type | Private |
| Active | 1864–1915 |
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| Campus | 25 acres (10 ha) |
Dr. Holbrook's Military School was a special school for boys. It was a military academy and also a boarding school. The school was located in Ossining, New York. It had great views of the Hudson River. Later, in 1906, the area became part of Briarcliff Manor.
The school started in 1864 as Mr. Tracy's School. In 1866, Reverend David A. Holbrook bought it. That's when it became Dr. Holbrook's Military School. The school closed in 1915. After that, during World War I, it was used as a hospital. It also served as a main office for a New York Guard army group. From 1919 to at least 1927, the school buildings were used as the Teachers College Country Club.
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History of Dr. Holbrook's Military School
Some say that Saint Denis Institute was on the land before this school. Dr. Holbrook's Military School began in 1864. It was first called Mr. Tracy's School. At that time, it was a school for young women. It was on a 10-acre piece of land.
In 1866, Reverend David A. Holbrook bought the school. He changed it into a school for boys. He also made the property bigger, to 25 acres. The school had 60 students back then.
Dr. Holbrook passed away in 1898. His sons, Dudley, Henry, and Dwight, then helped run the school. They managed it until it closed in 1915. When it closed, the school had 80 students.
School's Role in World War I
After the school closed in 1915, World War I was happening. In 1917, a group of 1,500 soldiers from the New York Guard needed a place to stay. They were guarding the Croton Aqueduct. A chaplain named Captain Charles W. Baldwin helped arrange a deal. He got permission to use the school campus and buildings for free. This was until three months after the war ended.
The soldiers moved their main office to the school. The school's academic building became a hospital. It was called Field Hospital No. 2. The ground floor of the west wing became a large office. It had typewriters and other equipment. This new office was much better than their old one. The soldiers started using the site on October 8, 1918. They left the school on February 1, 1919. A reunion for many of the soldiers was held there in March 1919.
Teachers College Country Club
In June 1919, the school property was given to the Teachers College Country Club. The club also received $7,500 for changes. The club officially started on October 4, 1919. It opened at the school on September 1, 1919. The club used the buildings until at least 1927. The members of the club could even use a nearby 9-hole golf course. Today, that golf course is the Trump National Golf Club.
What Students Learned
In 1903, the school had six levels, called "forms." The first two forms were for younger students. The other four were for older students. Older students could choose from three main study paths. These were classical, Latin-scientific, or English-scientific.
Students got grades for many things. This included how they behaved and how hard they worked. They were also graded on spelling, speaking, and writing. Their attendance at church and skill in military drills were also graded. Classes included arithmetic, algebra, French, Latin, German, and Greek.
Students also played many sports. These included baseball, football, tennis, and hockey. They also did track, athletics, and golf. Every four weeks, the school shared a "merit roll." This list ranked students based on their behavior, lessons, and attendance.
Notable People
Images for kids
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Students at the school, c. 1888
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The school as the First Provisional Regiment headquarters
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