The Marymount Academy was built in 1922 by the Dominican Sisters as the Mary Mount Boys School. circa 1959.

Ground was broken on July 1, 1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic boys school by the Dominican Sisters on the grounds of the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, "Shangarry." The completed school, Marymount Military Academy (photographed here in 1937), was located in what is now Spanaway. It was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in the Lombardine Mission style. The school housed a modern gym, pool and infirmary as well as surrounding playing fields, stables, tennis courts and shooting ranges. It was the only military school in the state of Washington. In 1974, the school dropped its military appellation and became a boarding school for wealthy families. It closed in 1976. The property was purchased in the 1980's by Harold LeMay, who used much of it to house his antique car collection.

Marymount Military Academy, Spanaway, Washington in January of 1937. Built by the Dominican Sisters, Marymount was the only military school in the state of Washington. It existed for 54 years, originally as a military academy for boys ages 6-16 and later as a boarding school catering to the wealthy. The school closed in 1976. The buildings then housed the mother house for the sisters and a retirement location for them as well. The school was later sold to Harold LeMay, the owner of a Pierce County trash and recycling business and an avid collector of antique motor vehicles.

1969 Richards stock footage. Color aerial photograph of Marymount Military Academy, the only military school in Washington State; photograph taken in September of 1969. Built in 1922, the school was operated by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order, and enrollment limited to boys 6-16. The school closed in 1976 due to insufficient enrollment and higher operating costs. In the 1980's, Harold LeMay would purchase the 80-acre property which would house much of his collection, the largest privately owned collection of automobiles in the world. Each August for the last 25 years, the LeMays have drawn thousands to the car show and open house at the former Marymount Academy. TPL-9104 (www.lemaymuseum.org)

Aerial views; Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

Portion of east wing extension, Marymount Military Academy, ca. 1963. Marymount was the only military school for boys age 6-16 in the state of Washington. Dedicated in 1923, the school was run by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order. Marymount was specifically designed as a small boarding school with enrollment generally capped at 150; however, when enrollment dipped even lower, it was decided to close the school in 1976.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway

St. Edward's Hall, Marymount. Later more commonly known as Marymount Military Academy, the boarding school for boys under 14 was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1923, with the Right Reverend Bishop O'Dea of Seattle officiating. St. Edward's Hall was the two-story fireproof central building built in the Lombardine mission style. Classrooms, living room, library, dining hall, kitchen, and reception area were all located on the spacious first floor. The second floor contained sleeping quarters and bathrooms for the boys. There was a chapel in one wing. A well-equipped gym was located 200 feet west of the main building complete with swimming pool. The school even had its own infirmary about 150 feet south of the main unit. Set in a grove of treees in what is now Spanaway, the school was run by Dominican nuns who also set high academic standards. It was the only military school for boys in the State of Washington. Marymount would close in 1976, a victim of lessening enrollment. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-13-23, E-5-article with alternate photographs) TPL-1507; BU11, 450

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

The curriculum at Marymount Military Academy at 423 152nd Street East in Spanaway encompassed a wide variety of activities including music, shooting and horseback riding. This photograph of the Academy's cadet band appeared in the Tacoma Times in February of 1941. Marymount opened in 1923 as a Catholic military boarding school for boys ages 6-16, the only institution of its kind in the state of Washington. Enrollment began to fall off in the late 1960 and early 1970s and the school closed in 1976. (T. Times 2/26/1941, pg. 41- names in picture caption)

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

This was how Marymount Military Academy appeared from the air on July 28, 1953. The Academy was the only military school in Washington State. Located in what would now be Spanaway, the school was run by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order. Young boys aged 6-16 were accepted for enrollment at this boarding school. Ground was broken at the site in July of 1922 and the school was dedicated in May of 1923. Built at a cost of $200,000 on the former "Shangarry" estate of J. Shields, Marymount originally was built in the Lombardine Mission style with modern gym, pool and infirmary. Enrollment was capped at 150 students; however, lessening enrollment and higher operating costs forced closure of the school in 1976. The property was purchased in the 1980's by Harold LeMay, who used much of it to house his antique car collection. TPL-9701

Aerial photographs; Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;