Bellefonte Academy was a historic

school A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compuls ...

building located at Bellefonte,

Centre County, Pennsylvania Centre County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,172. Its county seat is Bellefonte. Centre County comprises the State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. History The lands ...

. The original building was built in 1805, as a two-story, rectangular

limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...

building. It was enlarged between 1839 and 1845, with the addition of two bays and wings to the north and south. After a fire in 1904, the building was rebuilt with the addition of a third story and the addition of a

portico A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...

with six

Tuscan order The Tuscan order (Latin ''Ordo Tuscanicus'' or ''Ordo Tuscanus'', with the meaning of Etruscan order) is one of the two classical orders developed by the Romans, the other being the composite order. It is influenced by the Doric order, but with u ...

columns and

Classical Revival Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The prevailing style ...

style details. The wings were enlarged in 1913. Also on the property was the headmaster's house. ''Note:'' This includes It was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1976. It was delisted in 2008, after it was destroyed by fire on July 14, 2004. It was also included in the

Bellefonte Historic District Bellefonte Historic District is a national historic district located at Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. The district encompasses 296 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential area of Bellefon ...

Notable alumni

Edward Goodrich Acheson Edward Goodrich Acheson (March 9, 1856 – July 6, 1931) was an American chemist. Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, he was the inventor of the Acheson process, which is still used to make Silicon carbide (carborundum) and later a manufacturer of ...

(1856–1931), chemist *

Clifford Carlson Henry Clifford "Doc" Carlson (July 4, 1894 – November 1, 1964) was an American basketball coach and football player. He is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee as the men's college basketball coach of his alma mater, the University of Pi ...

(1894–1964), college basketball coach *

Lionel Conacher Lionel Pretoria Conacher, MP (; May 24, 1900 – May 26, 1954), nicknamed "The Big Train", was a Canadian athlete and politician. Voted the country's top athlete of the first half of the 20th century, he won championships in numerous sports. ...

(1900–1954), Canadian athlete and politician *

Andrew Gregg Curtin Andrew Gregg Curtin (April 22, 1815/1817October 7, 1894) was a U.S. lawyer and politician. He served as the Governor of Pennsylvania during the Civil War, helped defend his state during the Gettysburg Campaign, and led organization of the crea ...

(1817–1894), governor of Pennsylvania * Luby DiMeolo (1903–1966), professional football player and coach * J. Wesley Gephart (1853–1905), attorney and business executive * Frank Hood (1908–1955), professional football player * George K. James (1905–1994), college football and baseball coach *

Mose Kelsch Christian "Mose" Kelsch (January 31, 1897 – July 13, 1935) was an American football placekicker and running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was a charter member of the Pittsburgh Pirates (which would later be renamed the St ...

(1897–1935), professional football player *

Martin Kottler Martin Albert "Butch" Kottler (May 1, 1910 – June 10, 1989) was an American football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was a charter member of the Pittsburgh Pirates (which would later be renamed the Steelers). Kott ...

(1910–1989), professional football player *

James H. Osmer James H. Osmer (January 23, 1832 – October 3, 1912) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. James H. Osmer was born in Tenterden, Kent, England. As an infant his parents immigrated to the United State ...

(1832–1912), U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania *

Franklin Guest Smith Franklin Guest Smith (February 16, 1840 – October 7, 1912) was a career officer in the United States Army. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, Smith also served in the American Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War, and attained ...

(1840–1912), U.S. Army brigadier general *

Gerald Snyder Gerald Theodore "Snitz" Snyder (August 6, 1905 – June 28, 1983) was an American football player and Army officer. He played college football as a back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. Snyder played professionally for ...

(1905–1983), professional football player *

Jake Stahl Garland "Jake" Stahl (April 13, 1879 – September 18, 1922) was an American first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, and New York Highlanders. Biography A graduate of the University of ...

(1891–1966), professional football player and college football coach *

John Hubler Stover John Hubler Stover (April 24, 1833 – October 27, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri. Born in Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, Stover completed preparatory studies at Bellefonte Academy. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1857 ...

(1833–1889), U.S. Congressman from Missouri *

Harp Vaughan John J. Vaughan (November 19, 1903 – December 26, 1978) was an American football back who played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National Football League. He played college football at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and at ...

(1903–1978), professional football player * Robert J. Walker (1801–1869), U.S. Senator from Mississippi, territorial governor of Kansas, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury *

John Montgomery Ward John Montgomery Ward (March 3, 1860 – March 4, 1925), known as Monte Ward, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, shortstop, second baseman, third baseman, manager, executive, union organizer, owner and author. Ward, of English descent, ...

(1860–1925), professional baseball player

References

External links

Bellefonte Academy history
{{Authority control Defunct schools in Pennsylvania School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania Neoclassical architecture in Pennsylvania School buildings completed in 1805 Buildings and structures in Centre County, Pennsylvania 1805 establishments in Pennsylvania National Register of Historic Places in Centre County, Pennsylvania Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Pennsylvania Former National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania