Ohio Military Institute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Freeman Grant Cary Pleasant Hill Academy
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Front of the former school
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5651 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival and Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000511 |
| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1999 |
The Ohio Military Institute was a school for higher education. It was located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The institute started in 1890 and closed its doors in 1958.
Contents
History of the Institute
The Ohio Military Institute began in 1890. It was built on the foundation of an older school called Belmont College. Even before that, it was known as Farmers' College.
Early Beginnings: Farmers' College
Farmers' College was one of the first schools of its kind in the western United States. It had a long and helpful history. Many important people attended this college. These included Benjamin Harrison, who later became a US President. Also, Murat Halstead, a famous editor, and Bishop John M. Walden of the Methodist Church studied there.
Farmers' College was ahead of its time. People back then weren't quite ready for its unique idea. The college wanted to teach young people skills for different jobs. Its goal was "to qualify our youth for a higher position in any of the industrial pursuits." This idea is very important in education even today.
The Story of Cary Academy
Belmont College later changed its focus to training boys. But the real start of the Ohio Military Institute was Cary Academy. This school was founded by Freeman Cary in 1832. He started it right in his own home on College Hill.
Freeman Cary and His Family
The Cary family were pioneers in Ohio. Freeman's father moved to Cincinnati in 1802. A few years later, he bought a large farm where College Hill is now. His two sons, Freeman G. and Samuel F., grew up there. Freeman's sisters, Alice and Phoebe Cary, were well-known poets. They lived nearby in what is now North College Hill.
Both Freeman and Samuel graduated from Miami University in Oxford. This university was very new at the time. Freeman wanted to be a teacher. After he graduated, he opened his academy for boys at his home. That old house is still standing today. It's a famous landmark in the village.
Growing the Academy
When Cary's Academy first opened, it had only four students. But soon, Freeman was teaching more than twenty boys. He was encouraged to build a small brick school building. It was located just in front of where the school is now. Later, he added a beautiful new section.
The school quickly grew in size. In its last year, more than 120 students attended. Over twelve years, about 1,200 boys came to Cary's Academy. They came from all over the West and South. At that time, it was the best private school west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Freeman Cary had many skilled teachers helping him. Some of them became very famous educators. One of the most respected was Dr. Robert H. Bishop. He came from Miami University to Cary Academy in its last year. He later taught Philosophy and History at Farmers' College. Before he passed away in 1855, he asked to be buried on the college grounds. His request is a very special part of the college's history.
A Special Place in History
In 1999, part of Cary's original school was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed as "Freeman Grant Cary Pleasant Hill Academy." This included his house and another building. The buildings were recognized for their special architecture. They were also honored because of their connection to Freeman Cary. He was a very important person in the local history.
