The building cornerstone was laid on October 9, 1859.  The school opened in 1860 and offered high school through early college level courses.  The building was destroyed by fire in 1868 and was never rebuilt.  The original wooden marker was damaged.  A new wooden marker was built by Alex Nicholson, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1776, as his eagle scout project. It stood many years of service in front of the original Academy site, across the street from the Methodist Church at 902 Danville Boulevard, Alamo. In the spring of 2025 a new metal sign was installed to replace this deteriorating wooden marker.  It continues to commemorate this site, standing near the intersection of Danville Boulevard and El Portal, visible  from both directions in passing.