Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, 1890–1925

by William M. Vanderbilt

From the Marin County Historical Society Bulletin, December 1993, pp. 1–12.


Tracing back the history of Mount Tamalpais Military Academy one has but to look at an 1890 copy of the Marin Journal where it was reported that "San Rafael is soon to see opened a first class Boys Academy. It will reach out and assist everything in this town. It will make it more attractive to desirable people to settle here. It will sell our lots, our water and gas, build homes here, strengthen our churches, and eventually make its mark upon our ferry schedules. Let us regard it—and treat it—as a friend."

Whether or not the Academy reached all those expectations may be difficult to measure now—68 years after its closing—but we do know that it gave San Rafael and Marin County recognition throughout the Western world. Its cadets came from all over the Western United States, Mexico, Guatemala, San Salvador, Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, the Philippines, China, Tahiti and Siam. Their achievements have been reflected in numerous business fields, political careers and distinguished military service. The Academy itself received national recognition for its high degree of excellence."

In another issue the Marin Journal states, "At 11:00 a.m. last Tuesday the old dining room of the Gilbert House was the scene of one of the most important events that has ever been recorded in the columns of this paper, the bound volumes of which run back to the days when this old house was young. The event was none other then the laying of the intellectual cornerstone of the Mount Tamalpais Academy for boys. Rev. Arthur Crosby, President of the Board of Trustees, stated that the purpose of the gathering was to take the first step in opening this Academy, a school which he hoped and believed would be of great benefit to this and to succeeding generations." After delivering a stirring address Dr. Crosby announced that William Babcock, Arthur W. Foster, Robert J. Trumbull and Rev. Arthur Crosby of San Rafael; Rev. Thomas C. Easton, Robert Dickson, and James A. Jarobe of San Francisco; Rev. H. C. Minton and the Honorable E. B. Conklin of San Jose; and George E. Goodman of Napa; had provided the funds and founded the organization for this permanent boys school in San Rafael. Actually the intent in founding the institution was that is would become a college, but Dr. Crosby pointed out there must first be a preparatory school. However, succeeding events saw the establishment of the San Francisco Theological seminary and so the Academy continued as a preparatory school.

On September 16, 1890 the Academy opened in temporary quarters in the Gilbert House on the North East corner of Fourth and E Streets. In August, 1891, Dr. Crosby placed a notice in the Marin Journal stating that the directors of the Academy had succeeded in making very satisfactory arrangements for the continuance of the institution and asked the people of San Rafael for their support and encouragement that the Academy might be able to attract students from all parts of the state. Later that year the paper noted: "The most important transfer of realty in San Rafael has been the transfer of the O'Connor property through E. Scott, of the Tamalpais Hotel and cottages to the Mount Tamalpais Academy now in the Gilbert house. The Gamble School (Laurel Hall) of San Mateo joins it here next session. This consummation is a grand one in all respects for it indicates an instant equally important reflex upon all local matters.

It leaves behind all questions as to success permanency, giving it assured standing, and leaving its hands freer for the great work of reaching a high position of influence and usefulness." Improvements were made to the hotel building and a large building was erected adjacent to the former hotel to house a gymnasium, office and three classrooms. Later, A. W. Foster acquired the O'Connor house with its extensive grounds adjoining the Academy's new location and these premises were leased for expansion of the school facilities.

In May of 1892, the paper reported: "The first term of Mount Tamalpais Military school showed a marked increase in attendance." In January, the Laurel Hall Military School of San Mateo consolidated with Mount Tamalpais Academy and the two schools were then conducted as a Military School. The 1891–92 roster showed twenty-one students, but the following year the enrollment increased to seventy. The 1894 graduating class of ten cadets included Newell F. Vanderbilt, who later became a member of the faculty, commandant and president.

The important beginning years of the Academy were carefully guided by Rev. Arthur Crosby, one of its founders. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1868 and commenced his theological course at New Brunswick Seminary, New Jersey, finishing it at Union Seminary, New York in 1870. The next year, he was called to the pastorate of the Congregational Church in Kent, Connecticut. In 1874 he moved to Brooklyn to take charge of the Second Presbyterian Church and ten years later was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael. Here he became interested in public affairs and in the welfare of the San Francisco Theological Seminary. He was largely responsible for its transfer from San Francisco to San Anselmo.

In early life Dr. Crosby had been greatly influenced by the character and work of Dr. Arnold, the famous headmaster of Rugby, and as a result he had often expressed a wish that he might be able to devote his life to work among boys. This opportunity arose when he took those first steps in the formation of the Academy. Dr. Crosby soon found that the rapid growth of the Academy forced him to choose between his pastoral and school work. In July, 1892 he left the ministry in order to devote his full time to the growing Academy. Assuming the duties of Headmaster, Dr. Crosby also taught English, history, Latin and English Bible. On his faculty was Henry E. Green who later become Marin County District Attorney and then Superintendent of Schools.

In 1902 Dr. Crosby added cavalry to the Academy curriculum and in 1906 mounted artillery became part of the training. Mount Tamalpais Military Academy was the only military institution in the west offering this kind of training.

The cadet's 1909 yearbook "The Adjutant" reported "One of the most creditable showings that was ever made by our school was that in the Portola Festival parade in San Francisco, on October 21st. We were represented by a troop of forty, which was divided up into two platoons. Capt. Webb was in charge with Lieutenant Dotters and Lieutenant Behlow in command of the respective platoons. The cadets rode to Sausalito where they were taken over on the boat and returned the same evening."

On the opening day of the 1915 term the cadets and the entire community were shocked to learn of Dr. Crosby's death, following a brief illness. Major Newell F. Vanderbilt, Commandant of the Academy since 1909, was called upon to assume the duties of Headmaster and in 1917 was named President and Manager, which position he held until the school closed in 1925.

In 1917 and again in 1918 the Academy was commissioned by the War Department to conduct a Citizens Military Training Camp consisting of a five week, ten hour day with intensive course work in military tactics. That course was comparable to the ten week, half-day course being offered at the University of California. on the faculty conducting the Training School were Major Andrew J. Kirk, Major N. F. Vanderbilt, Sergeant Thomas C. Cuffe, U. S. Army, Ret., several cadet officers and visiting Army officers. The Academy received the commendation of the War Department for its excellence in preparing the men for military service. Of those receiving this special training, 249 were called into World War I service.

The December 1918 issue of the Adjutant contains a memorial to James Hepburn Wilkins, a graduate of the class of 1916 who was killed in France on October 7, 1918. American Legion Wilkins Post was named in his honor. A total of 268 former cadets served in World War I.

The inspection of the War Department concluded in its 1918 report with "Mount Tamalpais Military Academy has well repaid the Government for the equipment and instructions supplied it by the number of men, commissioned and enlisted, it has sent to the Army. The spirit of the school is high and it is doing excellent work."

As is often the case, each year seemed to surpass the previous, but two years seem to stand out as exemplary. At the 1920 Alumni Day ceremonies Major Vanderbilt commented, "The drills program, in fact the entire day, has never been carried through with equal smoothness and efficiency in all respects and it would be difficult indeed to hope for any marked improvement therein in the future, considering the varied program and the varying proficiency of a hundred and fifty cadets in any one year. The infantry work was decidedly the best in several year, and in the several small boy organizations appearing on the field will be very difficult to duplicate again. It has been most gratifying to note an increase from sixty to one hundred and fifty cadets in the past four years, and equally so to learn that in that period so many graduates have continued further work in college. A true test of any school is the record of its Alumni, and I believe that Tamalpais can easily stand any such analysis after all these years." In the 1923 "Adjutant" the Major's message reads, "This class of 1923 is the greatest in numbers in the thirty-five years of Academy work. It will ever be remembered as the first class of the post-war years, which were so disastrous to many old time schools. I believe that as the years pass on this class will go down in the traditions of the school as having had a circle within its membership of the most closely related, most cooperative, most scholarly and most all around cadets we have had. In other words with the larger numbers of members, this 1923 class has offered a much larger percentage of long tenure, self responsible, capable cadets than usual, and of the type which we are sure will make creditable college men. Many of the class are entering business lines and with our certainty that they will succeed there also. Practically all of the original class members have remained, and it is the so-called transients that have entered and dropped out from time to time. The class should especially remember John Kaufman's careful editorship of this issue.

"The Academy will assuredly miss the great class of 1923, but in so doing it is presented with most promising leadership cadets for 1924 by reason of the 1923 direction and example. Every good wish is accorded to 1923's success. Each member thereof knows whether he has partaken of the best school has offered, and each should remember that I as in school days, so with life', and steadily aim toward "Ad Summum Montem" the motto of the school, and the prized Alumni Record thereon. Success to '23!"

The Academy's curriculum was well rounded to meet the needs of cadets going on to college or going into the business world. In addition, many features of a lighter nature were available. Arrangements were made for piano lessons from local instructors and dancing lessons were given once a month in the evenings. Attendance at church was strongly recommended but the final decision was left to the parents. Supervised study hours were maintained five evenings each week. A bugler regularly sounded reveille at 7:00 a.m. and taps at 9:00 p.m.

For many years the cadets were led by their drum and bugle corps but in 1921 a band was organized under the direction of Sabin Kane, who later became Chief of Police of San Rafael. The band added considerable spirit and color to the military ceremonies and parades, but especially to the calisthenics drills.

Until the early 20's the housing for the cadets consisted of the large three story barracks facing on Fifth Street, Foster Hall at the head of Cottage Avenue and 5 cottages running up Cottage Avenue and East on Sixth Street (since renamed Mission Avenue) and each housing unit was supervised by a resident matron or master. The large barracks was then deemed to be unsafe for housing the cadets and the dormitory areas on the second and third floors were closed, although the classrooms remained on the first floor. The academy was fortunate to be able to rent nearby homes along Fifth Street to house the cadets. The Seipel home became East Hall, the Dubois home was known as Dubois Hall, the Burnett hone was Burnett Hall and the Klein home become the Infirmary. The Lilley home on Sixth Street was purchased and become Lilley Hall. Today all that remains of the old Academy grounds is Foster Hall with its two large trees (one has recently been removed) and the large oak tree at the present premises of the San Rafael Medical Group. East Hall, Burnett Hall and the Infirmary still stand stately on Fifth.

The highlight of each year was the annual Alumni Day held each May. The cadets provided a full day of entertainment for their families, friends, and guests with numerous drills, Roman riding, cavalry review, band concerts, calisthenics, wall scaling, platoon and squad movements and finally the spectacular full dress review. Luncheon was then followed by dancing in the gymnasium. The Christmas Dance found the gym gaily decorated with Christmas greens and colorful decorations while for the Spring Dance the gym was extensively decorated with colored cards, streamers and flowers. Traditionally a supper was served during the evening.

For many years an annual encampment in September found the cadets loading their gear, including one artillery piece, aboard a train at San Rafael's Union Station and embarking on a trip to the camp on the Russian River near Monte Rio. Distance proved to be no hindrance to the cavalry unit as the yearbooks relate of their trips to the Mendocino Coast and the Portola Festival Parade in San Francisco in 1904. The following year cadets who remained at the school for the summer left with complete cavalry and camping equipment for Yosemite Valley. Taking the boat from San Francisco to Stockton they made their way to the valley, stopping along the way for sightseeing side trips and fishing expeditions.

The corporate structure of the Academy reflected three different corporations. Mount Tamalpais College was incorporated August 30, 1890 to "establish, conduct and carry on in the County of Marin and State of California, a college or seminary of learning, and such preparatory school or schools as may be necessary or convenient to be carried on in connection with such college for the purposes of fitting students therefore." The 'incorporators were as previously stated. Mount Tamalpais School Association was incorporated December 28, 1895 to "purchase, acquire, own, hold, lease, mortgage, sell and convey the pieces of land in the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, State of California," as described in the articles. Incorporators were Arthur W. Foster, Sidney V. Smith, E. W. Newhall, J. Palache, L. H. Sweeney, Thomas Wintrigham, John F. Boyd, R. S. Alexander and J. R. McDonald. On April 3, 1900, Rev. Arthur Crosby and J. W. Graybill filed a Notice of Co-partnership doing business under the name of "Mount Tamalpais Military Academy." However, in 1904 Dr. Crosby and Charles G. Buck assumed the proprietorship of the Academy. Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, Inc. was incorporated February 26, 1908 to "carry on, and maintain a boarding and day school, and especially to take over and acquire business, good will, property and assets of the Mount Tamalpais Military Academy." Incorporators. were Arthur Crosby, Susan B. Crosby and Charles G. Buck.

In these inflationary days it is interesting to look back at costs in the days of the Academy. The catalogue for 1896–97 lists expenses as "The charge for cadets, including board, tuition, washing and church seat will hereafter be $500.00 a year. For tuition without board, $120.00 a year. In the primary classes the charge will be $100.00 a year."

In 1903 the uniforms were made to order by:
L. Becker, San Rafael, $18.00 – $19.00
Roos Bros., San Francisco, $17.50
Hastings, San Francisco, $16.50 – $17.50

Of the property rented in 1921, East Hall cost $50.00 per month, Burnett Hall $60.00 and the Infirmary $32.50.

Customarily the local and nearby merchants placed advertisements in "The Adjutant", the cadet's yearbook. It is interesting to glance back through these books and find names of some of those businesses. In the 1900 Adjutant there were ads for Hotel Rafael, Inman & Son, California Northwest Railway Company, Hoovers Candies, C. Grosjean & Co., Burtchell & Co. and San Rafael and San Francisco Express. In 1919 there was Scott & Company Hardware, Louis Mezzera Shoes, California Bakery, Webb & Rogers, Bank of San Rafael, San Rafael Bazaar, Johnson Hardware Company, Alberts Inc., Day's Pharmacy, Novato French Cheese Factory and Marin County National Bank.

There can be no doubt that the high standards and academic recognition enjoyed by Mount Tamalpais Military Academy were due, in a large part, to the members of its faculty. Among the eleven faculty members at the school's closing were Major Andrew J. Kirk, Lieutenant Peter H. Grote, Harry S. Mobley and James J. Dean. Major Kirk was instructor in Greek, Latin and French and was second only to Major Vanderbilt in length of service at the Academy. Lieutenant Grote had been Professor of Military Science and continued his military association with the successor academy, San Rafael Military Academy. Harry S. Mobley, a graduate of the class of 1913 who had returned to the Academy after service in World War I to become 8th grade instructor and athletic director, also continued his coaching career with San Rafael Military Academy and later became the dean of coaches in Marin County, retiring in 1960. James J. Dean joined the faculty of San Rafael High School where Major Thomas C. Cuffe had preceded him from the Academy.

During the 35 years of its existence, the Academy enjoyed a fine military and educational reputation with nearly 2,000 cadets enrolled over the years. Its three hundred graduates were dispersed into many corners of the world. While the Academy is now gone, the cadet's memories of their days at Mount Tamalpais military Academy remain and their motto "Ad Summon Montem" continues on.