Thornton Academy, Preparing Students for a Changing World Since 1811, Saco Maine

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Thornton Academy
438 Main St.
Saco, Maine, 04072
(207) 282-3361

Thornton Academy Timeline

1811		Saco Academy founded after 37 Saco citizens petition the Massachusetts legislature to establish an academy in Saco. Massachusetts Senate responds favorably. Governor E. Gerry signs a bill on February 16 that includes a one-half township of six square miles near Moosehead Lake on the condition that Saco raises $3,000 in three years.
1813		The new Saco Academy, located in Pepperell Park, is dedicated on January 4. Yale graduate Rev. Asa Lyman serves as the first preceptor, or headmaster, of the academy.
1820		In July, a committee is appointed to sell the one-half township near Moosehead Lake as Saco Academy struggles for years to make ends meet. The sale drags on for years, and the land is sold in parts between 1830 and 1854 for a total sum of $1,500.
1821		Saco Academy changes its name after Dr. Thomas G. Thornton donates 10 shares of bank stock, valued at $1,000. The name change occurs shortly after a committee is formed in November 1821 to raise $1,500 in response to an immediate need for funding. Thirty-one of the town's leaders, pull together, generously giving a combined donation of $643.
1848		On Saturday, July 28, fire destroys Thornton Academy. All evidence points toward arson, but no culprit is ever found. After 36 years of preparing students, Thornton Academy remains in ashes, not to rise for another 40 years.
1867		Saco is officially named a city.
1884		After years of discussion, serious efforts begin for the rebuilding of Thornton Academy following significant financial activity among the trustees. As a result of TA trustee James W. Bradbury's shrewd investments, the endowment fund leaps from $15,663 to $91,000. Cornelius Sweetser earmarks $10,000 for the academy in his will if Thornton trustees and city officials resolve their differences.
1885		Eight acres are purchased at the Main Street site-Thornton's current location.
1886		On July 27, the City of Saco, York County and Thornton trustees establish Thornton Academy as a corporation. Plans by Architect H.G. Wadlin of Boston are selected. Construction bids range from $17,850 to $21,300.
1889		On September 6, Thornton Academy is dedicated during re-opening ceremonies. Three days later, on September 9, 108 students walk through the doors of the Main Building to begin classes. Edwin Prescott Sampson presides over the school as headmaster. After Thornton opens its doors, a tennis court is immediately built, on which members of the TA Lawn Tennis Association play every afternoon. Thornton students also begin publication of the monthly school magazine, The Tripod.
1890		On June 20, the first class graduates from the new academy-the Class of 1890. Members of the first graduating class band together following graduation to form the first TA Alumni Association.
1893		After several unsuccessful attempts to field a football team, Thornton Academy completes its first season of football, finishing with a respectable 5-3 record. In the spring, an Athletic Association is formed to promote healthy athletics and to raise money for equipment and travel expenses. Thornton's track program also begins when a field day for male students is planned with Biddeford High. In anticipation of the event, students gather to select the school colors-crimson and gold. It was not until the 1920's that the Maroon-and-Gold Tide began its reign. In June, Thornton girls participate in the first annual gymnastic drill in Saco City Hall.
1897		Thornton boys play their first public game of basketball at the 1897 annual June drill. That fall, gym teacher Louise Leib and Thornton's female students fervently take up the game, forming a TA Girls Basketball Association and playing interclass games until 1903, when they began playing teams from other schools.
1902		School closes for two weeks due to an outbreak of small pox in the Saco community.
1903		Thornton Academy dedicates its second building on February 28-the Charles C. G. Thornton Memorial Library. The building, designed in the Greek revival style by William Berry, is given in memory of Charles Cutts Gookin Thornton by his wife Annie Calef Thornton and only child Mary Calef Thornton. Charles is the grandson of academy founder Thomas Thornton. With a bequest of $10,000 from Cornelius Sweetser, the Sweetser Library is born.
1905		Ernest Roliston Woodbury steps in to serve as new headmaster for the next 32 years.
1906		Annie and Mary Thornton donate Thornton's third building for use as the headmaster's home. Built in the colonial revival style, to this day the home still houses Thornton's current headmaster. The trustees build new tennis courts on campus.
1910		Thornton Academy purchases a 5.8-acre parcel of land across Main Street from Eleanor Vaughn Tufts and Isabella Shannon Paine to establish an athletic field. Athletic events, such as football, baseball and track would not be held on the field until 1917.
1912		The first domestic science class is offered as "an effort to bring home and school together." This course, called household chemistry, was only open to senior girls.
1913		The George Addison Emery Gymnasium is raised with funding from alumni and friends of Thornton. The facility, located diagonally from the Main building and the Charles C. G. Thornton Memorial Library, is dedicated on February 13.
1914		TA girls win the State Basketball Championship title, finishing the season with an unparalleled 9-1 record.
1917		Domestic science is added to the curriculum as a branch of study.
1920		The Math Society, TA's first honorary society, is organized.
1921		Gov. Percival Baxter delivers an address to Thornton students. Thornton also receives its own radio station, with the call letters 1-CPR. The T-Club, forerunner to the Varsity Club, is started and open to any boy earning an athletics letter.
1992		French teacher Napoleon Edmond forms Thornton's first boys ice hockey team.
1924		TA's 1924 football team is the only team in Maine not scored on and brings home a state championship title.
1925		TA's unstoppable indoor track team runs away with the state championship title and several schoolboy records.
1930		The Annex to the Main building is constructed using funds left by Charles Thornton. The Annex provides much needed classroom space, as well as room for the manual training department.
1932		Thornton Academy students publish their first year book. Borrowing the name "Tripod" from the school magazine, the book is produced by a 22-member staff and costs $1.32 The Thornton eleven allow only one touchdown during their undefeated championship football season.
1933		A student council forms to "find the cause of and remedy the defect of low school spirit," and handle students' complaints and other activity-related issues.
1936		The school bell is moved to the roof of the annex, and the bell tower atop the Main Building becomes an observatory when trustee Frank C. Deering donates a telescope.
1937		Headmaster Woodbury retires. Hollis Albert Sanderson is appointed new headmaster and will serve for the next nine years.
1940		Thornton reestablishes a competitive girls basketball team, the first since 1916.
1941		Teacher and former Springfield College standout Fred Kosiba organizes Thornton's first lacrosse team.
1942		Thornton Academy graduates its first class with more than 100 members-just barely more at 101. As a result of student activity in World War II, the senior class does not exceed 100 again until 1948. The Tripod, Thornton's student newspaper since the academy's founding, publishes its last issue.
1943		Archery debuts on campus among Thornton girls.
1946		Porter C. Greene replaces Sanderson as headmaster after Sanderson leaves for a position with Union Mutual. Green serves as headmaster through 1955.
1947		Thornton's first marching band is formed, but does not perform in uniform until 1949.
1951		Thornton establishes its first competitive cross-country team.
1952		Thornton's first interscholastic field hockey team takes the field in the fall. The game was first started as an intramural sport in 1947 in the parking lot at the end of the football field.
1955		Robert "Bob" Bowie, who began his career under Ernest Woodbury as a teacher of mathematics, a football coach and submaster, steps in to replace Greene as headmaster. During his tenure until 1971, several new buildings are erected as enrollment nearly doubles.
1957		As a result of the student growth over the previous two decades, alumni provide generous support to build the John S. Locke Building. Attached to the Emery Gymnasium, this new building contained the industrial arts department. The junior class begins publishing The Marooner. The undefeated golf team captures the Portland Press Herald League trophy.
1958		A new cafeteria is built during the summer, giving fall's returning students the opportunity to eat hot meals at lunchtime.
1962		Thornton Academy begins offering six-week summer school courses.
1963		On October 20, Thornton Academy dedicates the William S. Linnell Gymnasium following a pressing need for a larger gymnasium. The 1963-64 boys basketball squad is the first team to play in this new facility.
1966		The golf team bring home a York County championship trophy in an undefeated season.
1967		The first floor of the Edith Scamman Science Building is opened. The facility houses a new chemistry lab, with gas and running water.
1970		Thornton Academy opens the Industrial Arts Building, situated behind the Linnell Gymnasium. The dress code prohibiting girls from wearing pants to school is abolished. Boys are allowed to wear their hair long and grow beards and moustaches.
1971		James A. Jortberg is appointed headmaster following the retirement of Robert L. Bowie, who served Thornton for 41 years. Thornton's boys spring track team enjoyed bragging rights in 1971 and 1 972 taking state championship titles both years.
1974		Coach Dick Parker leads the girls cross-country team to a state championship.
1975		A second floor is added to the Scamman Building to house the business department.
1980		Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the Paul S. Hill Stadium is raised. Named for the 1923 graduate and 43-year trustee, the stadium gives the school new facilities for athletic events and a place to hold outdoor graduations. The Saco tax cap, sometimes called the "crash of 80" brings the end of English electives, the school newspaper and seventh period. Twelve of 59 teachers are cut from staff, along with two teachers' aids, one custodian, one building supervisor and one and a half secretaries. Freshman sports, tennis and weightlifting vanish and industrial arts and art courses are trimmed to bare bones.
1981		Thornton Academy hosts graduation outside for the first time as the 253 seniors in the class of 1981 participate in commencement ceremonies in the newly built Dr. Paul S. Hill, Jr. Stadium.
1986		James Jortberg retires after 15 years of service as headmaster. Carl J. Stasio, Jr. becomes Thornton's seventh and current headmaster. Thornton football takes state championship on the gridiron.
1988		Coming off an 8-1 season, Thornton football takes it all the way to states, returning with the championship title. Boys hockey returns to the rink, after a hiatus since 1938.
1989		Thornton celebrates is 100th birthday in September at homecoming with a wonderfully attended event. On May 26, Gordon Pendleton presides over a group dedicated to refounding the Thornton Academy Alumni Association, defunct for over 40 years after a strong history from 1890 to 1845.
1990		Thornton's first swim team dives into competition with no less than 16 swimmers. The boys track team brings home a state championship.
1991		The first girls soccer team takes the field in the fall under the direction of coach Gerry Billings and finishes the season with a 9-5 record.
1993		Thornton Academy celebrates 100 years of football.
1996		A new building is added to accommodate a new library, cafeteria and arts facilities.
2001		The offices of Finance & Communication move to the Alumni House, making way for a new student computer lab in the Charles C.G. Thornton Memorial Library building.