A Brief History of Mount Ellis Academy

A humble log cabin church school in Cottonwood Canyon, just twenty miles south of Bozeman, was the forerunner of Mount Ellis Academy. It was in 1900 that two families moved to this little canyon to join three other families already located there in providing a Christian school for their children. Miss Jessie Boardman, who had been a very successful public school teacher, was chosen for the teacher that September morning in the J.M Haines' home.

Since the denomination had not yet prepared any Bible textbooks to be used by our schools, Miss Boardman prepared all the lessons herself from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

In the fall of 1901 school was held in a rented house located in Bozeman and Mrs. T.M. French was the teacher.

At the beginning of the 1902 school year, the grammar school was moved to the present Bozeman church and became a secondary school, with an attendance of twenty-eight. Claude Conard, a graduate of Walla Walla College, became the principal, business manager, and preceptor of the dormitory, or school home. Mrs L.A. Gibson, wife of Elder Gibson, was preceptress. Mrs. Surveryly served as matron, while Miss Edna Parker was school nurse. Miss Teresa Reed, who later became Elder Gosmer's wife, conducted a nine-piece orchestra and gave vocal lessons.

From the first eighth grade graduating class, composed of only seven members, four served in foreign mission fields, and one was in the ministry here in America for many years.

The Intermediate School, as it was called at this time, continued in the Bozeman church until 1905. It was evident by then that it was necessary to move the school to a new location. So following the admonition of Ellen White, W.D. Rittenhouse and Elder John Holbrook looked over some land five miles east of Bozeman and purchased twenty acres at fifty dollars and acre from Mr. Elisha Rouse. Mr. Rouse really donated half or more of the real value of the land, but he was willing to make this sacrifice for a Christian school. This land was purchased in 1904.

The summer of 1905 Principal J.L. Jones worked with the plow and scraper and dug the basements for the boys' and girls' dormitories. He continued as principal until the term ended in 1907. It was during Professor Jones' term that the name Mount Ellis Academy was chosen for the school.

Between 1942 and 1955 Mount Ellis Academy added the following buildings: gymnasium (built in 1942), machine shop (now Campmeeting ABC), principal's cottage, and a dairy barn (MJH Enterprises). The farm acreage increased to a total of 560 acres.

During the 1955-56 school year, tragedy struck the school. A fire started in the boy's dorm and spread throughout the campus. None of the city's fire equipment worked well enough to save the boy's dorm or the administration building. Afterwards, the boys were temporarily housed in the gymnasium and school continued.

Montana church members realized the vital importance of MEA for the future, so the decision was made to rebuild the entire campus. The girl's dorm was torn down and the current dormitories and administration building were constructed. Out of the ashes God triumphed.

Since that time the present gymnasium, powerhouse, industrial arts building, cafeteria, elementary school, and five faculty houses have been added.

The students now attending Mount Ellis Academy, and all those that follow after, owe a debt of gratitude to the founders of MEA for the sacrifices made by many individuals, and to the consecrated men and women who have made it possible for them to obtain a Christian education. Just as in the early days of MEA, students there are currently being trained for a lifetime of service in any occupation they may choose

--Taken from the research and writings of Larry Unterseher