Property Record
550 S LAKE SHORE DR
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | NORTHWESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 68113 |
| Location (Address): | 550 S LAKE SHORE DR |
|---|---|
| County: | Walworth |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Linn |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 1 |
| Range: | 17 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 18 |
| Quarter Section: | NE |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | NW |
| Year Built: | 1912 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | elementary, middle, jr.high, or high |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Davidson Hall |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 7/2/1987 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The Northwestern Military and Naval Academy moved to this site in 1911. The school had been founded at the Northwestern Military Academy in 1888 by Harlan P. Davidson of Highland Park, IL. Beginning in 1908 the students and faculty made annual camping trips to Geneva Lake, staying in a remote section of Kaye's Park. In 1911, Col. Davison, son of the founder had the opportunity to purchase 40 acres of land from the Kaye family, and decided to move the Academy. He obtained Congressional approval to issue naval equipment and reincorporated the schools as the N.M.N.A. The buildings were erected in 1912. While there is an emphasis on military training the school is essentially a college prepe school. At commencement exercises in 1941 Col. Davidson announced he had decided to deed the academy to the Episcopal dioscese of Chicago. With no heirs, he selected the dioscese as an institution likely to maintain the high standards of the school. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Lake Geneva Regional News, 8-18-1938;6-12-1941. WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 8/15/1995, 3B. LAKE GENEVA REGIONAL NEWS 8/10/1995. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |