Bunker Hill Military Academy

The school opened in 1859 as the Bunker Hill Academy but closed during the American Civil War. From 1862 until 1869, the building housed Bunker Hill's public school. In 1883, the military academy was established in the ageing building by Congregational clergyman Reverend Samuel L. Stiver, offering strict instruction to local children as well as the cadets. Reverend Stiver remained head of BHMA for the next 27 years. Between 1883 and 1910, a total of 1,050 cadets were enrolled. During the Academy's years of operation, it received high praise from many people. Former students, parents, church ministers, editors, businessmen, and former officials of BHMA are among those from whom the Academy received such high acclaim.

With Stiver's death in November 1910, no successor was able to operate the Academy as well as Stiver had, causing it to close at the end of the 1914 school year. It was sold at auction to James Jencks. A large bell used by BHMA was installed in the belfry of the Berean Baptist Church two years later.

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