Oak Ridge Institute
Posted by: GeoGordie
N 36° 10.481 W 079° 59.214
17S E 591107 N 4003799
From 1783 until 1914, more than 600 military schools existed in the United States. Today, less than 5 percent of the original 600 military schools survive. Fortunately, Oak Ridge Military Academy is one of the survivors.
Located in Guilford County .. Oak Ridge, North Carolina
Waymark Code: WM9ER
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 03/25/2006
Views: 24
In the mid-1700's, a small group of Quakers from Pennsylvania and Nantucket Isle joined a handful of Scotch-Irish emigrants from Virginia to begin a small farming community at the crossroads of Salisbury Pike and Danville Road in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. The settlement soon became known for the massive oaks that grew on the crests of the rolling hills.
These early settlers were soon answering the call to educate young people. As early as 1825, the community had contracted for a nine-month school, stipulating in the contract that the teacher "instruct and teach Spelling, Writing, Reading and Arithmetic to the best of his skill and ability." Little did they know this was the beginning of "The Ridge."
Not content with the rudimentary education their children were receiving, the community fathers met on April 7, 1850 and drew up a charter for the founding of a classical institution of higher learning. The 43 fathers pledged a total of $629.00 and an acre of land was donated to begin the legacy of Oak Ridge Institute. By 1852, a building had been erected and 63 students enrolled from the surrounding counties of North Carolina and Virginia.
Marker Name: Oak Ridge Institute J 36
Marker Type: Roadside
Related Web Link: Not listed
Local North Carolina markers without State Number Designation: Not listed
Required Waymark Photo: Not Listed
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Most of all, enjoy the History that North Carolina has to offer! From the Mountains to the Ocean .. it's all here!