Kentucky Military Institute facts for kids

The Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) was a special kind of school called a prep school that trained students like soldiers. It was located in Lyndon, Kentucky, and also had a campus in Venice, Florida. KMI was open for a long time, from 1845 until 1971.

It was one of the oldest military prep schools in the United States. KMI was set up like the Virginia Military Institute, meaning all its students were called cadets. Colonel Robert Thomas Pritchard Allen started the school in 1845. The state of Kentucky officially recognized it in 1847.

History of KMI

As the American Civil War was about to begin, the school had to close. Someone even set the buildings on fire! KMI stayed closed during the entire Civil War.

Later, KMI started spending its winters in Eau Gallie, Florida. This began in 1907 when the school bought the land there. But in 1921, the Eau Gallie campus burned down.

The school faced money problems and its Florida campus moved several times. It even closed in 1924 but reopened the next year. In 1932, the Florida campus moved to Venice, Florida, where winter classes were already held.

Charles B. Richmond became the superintendent, and the school did very well for many years. However, by the late 1960s, fewer students wanted to join the military. Also, the school's fees became higher. These issues caused KMI to have more financial trouble.

The last group of cadets graduated in 1971. The school closed for good that summer. It reopened the next year as the Kentucky Academy. This new school was not military and allowed both boys and girls. Soon after, it joined with the Kentucky Country Day School.

Famous People Who Attended KMI

Many interesting people went to the Kentucky Military Institute. Here are a few:

• Glendy B. Arnold: He became a judge in St. Louis.
• Jim Backus: A famous actor, known for playing Thurston Howell III on the TV show Gilligan's Island.
• John Y. Brown Jr.: He later became the Governor of Kentucky.
• William Denis Brown, III: A lawyer and businessman who served as a state senator in Louisiana.
• Stephen G. Burbridge: He was a major general in the Union Army during the Civil War.
• Bruce Hoblitzell: He became the mayor of Louisville and sheriff of Jefferson County.
• Robert Hoke: He was a major general in the Confederate Army.
• Robert A. McClure: He was a very important intelligence chief for General Eisenhower during World War II. He graduated in 1915.
• Victor Mature: Another well-known actor, who starred in movies like Samson and Delilah.
• Wendell H. Meade: He served as a U.S. Representative for Kentucky.
• Samuel Woodson Price: An artist and soldier who was also a Union Army major general.
• Danny Sullivan: A professional race car driver who won the 1985 Indianapolis 500.
• Fred Willard: A funny actor with many TV and film roles, including Best in Show. He graduated in 1951.