GOODBYE. FAREWELL. AMEN.
After 137 years, an era has come to an end. Wentworth Military Academy was started in the river town of Lexington, MO in 1880. Steeped in history of river traffic along the Missouri River Bluffs. Rich in Civil War history, the brainchild of Stephen G. Wentworth, Wentworth, a school for young men, came to be. Sign was created by MG Frank Hugleman ('74).
2007 to 2000
MG John H. Little became the 11th Superintendent of Wentworth Military Academy and College in 2002 and led the Academy to renewed strength and success. He retired in May 2007. During MG Little's tenure as Superintendent and President, he led the Academy to a strong financial condition, which allowed the Academy to be debt free.
1979 to 1960
1960: Numerous modern and attractive buildings have been erected as they were needed. Old buildings have been torn away when they were no longer useful. Spacious military and athletic fields have been added. One of the finest gymnasiums in the country has been built. Every new method in teaching that has been found definitely superior to older methods has been adopted.
1959 to 1940
1940: Few schools anywhere are situated with so many advantages inherent to their location as Wentworth enjoys. Many fine homes and modern business buildings reflect its culture and prosperity. The citizenry is unusually loyal to the Academy. Excellent systems of electricity, gas, water and sewage assure the Academy of all modern conveniences. Lexington is 41 miles from Kansas City, "The Heart of America."
1939 to 1919
February 18, 1939: It has been a rather quiet weekend since all the excitement of the Military Ball is over. At one of the high school basketball games last Tuesday, Captain Willoughby's boys cleaned up a team from across the river. It was rather interesting and then last night our varsity team was nosed out by Graceland. A heartbreak, 17 to 14.
1918 to 1899
1918: Much is being said in the magazines and newspapers about the benefits to boys from 14 to 20 years of age of military training and discipline. Through this training they learn respect and obedience to rightful authority, things most necessary to good citizenship. In the interesting routine of daily duties they are reconciled to a degree of discipline and control hard to tolerate elsewhere.
1898 to 1881
1881: On the 9th day of September, 1879, Prof. B. L. Hobson opened, in Lexington, a school for the education of boys and young men. This school was liberally patronized, so that, at the beginning of the second year it became necessary to have an additional teacher, and Prof. Sandford Sellers, formerly of Kentucky, more recently of Texas, was invited to Lexington, and became an associate teacher with Mr. Hobson.