History of Wasatch Academy
Wasatch Academy was founded in 1875 by Duncan J. McMillan, a Presbyterian minister
from Carlinville, Illinois. Mr. McMillan had no intention of founding
a school, particularly a school in the heart of Utah. He was first and
foremost a minister. This was the work he had chosen and this is the
work that he loved.
Several events occurred that changed the course of Duncan McMillan’s
life. His lungs were damaged by a fire in Illinois from which he rescued
three young women trapped in a burning building. After the fire, it
became necessary to temporarily give up preaching so he decided to travel
to Utah where he felt strongly that an opportunity might be available.
When Duncan McMillan arrived in Mt. Pleasant, Utah in the early spring
of 1875, he was approached by a number of local residents asking if
he had ever taught school. He replied in the affirmative to their questions
and the group immediately asked him to start a school and to teach their
children. This group of dedicated men, even offered him a building that
would house the school, complete with a mortgage that was due within
one year.
At the end of the year, Mr. McMillan did not have the money to pay the
final installment on the mortgage although he had journeyed throughout
the Midwest and East requesting donations for his Utah work. On the
day the payment was due, he made one final trip to the post office where
he was told that there was no mail for him. However, as he was leaving
the building, the postmaster called out that he had found a letter on
the floor addressed to Duncan McMillan. After a glance at the return
address, Mr. McMillan gave way to despair. He knew no one in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. Later in the day he recalled the letter and opened it. Much to
his surprise and delight, a draft fell from the envelope. The amount
of the draft was more than sufficient to cover the final payment.
This was only the first of many events that proved the endurance of
Wasatch Academy. The school was supported by the Board of National Missions
of the Presbyterian Church until 1972. At that time the church withdrew
support from all of its mission schools and, once again, it was feared
that Wasatch Academy would close forever. The combined efforts of a
group of committed individuals made it possible for the school to survive
and become independent.
When asked what he wanted to name the school, Duncan McMillan said:
“Let it endure like the Wasatch Mountains, call it Wasatch Academy.”
Dr. McMillian’s words were a prophecy that has been fulfilled.
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