Another local story from where I live
PUTNAM COUNTY — In their
quest to document the history of Putnam County, the Putnam County Archives has
been collecting information from local residents about the Holladay School,
located near the intersection of Holladay Road, Clarence Carter Road and Mine
Lick Creek Road.
The school was built in 1915, and was a central figure in the community.
“According to Betty Stark, who was a student at Holladay School, three schools were consolidated into one,” Glenn Jones, Putnam County archivist, said. “These were Lee Seminary, Lone Oak, and Pleasant Valley.”
The three men responsible for creating Holladay School were Harvey McCulley, who was the first principal; Monroe Hatfield, who was the superintendent of Schools; and Judge Oscar K. Holladay. The six-acre tract that became the Holladay School grounds was donated by a Mr. Smith, in memory of his daughter who died that year.
In consolidating the three schools, many students lived too far away to walk, so Holladay School had the first school buses in Putnam County. These were covered wagons pulled by horses. A large barn was built to house the three wagons, along with the horses and mules that the teachers and students rode to school.
Other activities held at the school included Vacation Bible School each summer and singing classes.
“On a rainy, stormy night, July 18, 1929, around midnight, an electrical storm passed through, and a bolt of lighting struck the bell tower, burning the school to the ground,” Jones said. “Daylight found the entire community gathered around the burning ashes of their four-room school house. With no time to lose, they set about to solve their problem.”
Arrangements were made to use Lee Seminary Church and Judd Graveyard Church as temporary schools. Three years later the new brick Holladay School was ready, and classes resumed at the former location.
Holladay School closed in 1965 and was sold to Clarence Carter, who made it into a private home. Dr. Sam Barnes owns and lives in the former school building today.
The school was built in 1915, and was a central figure in the community.
“According to Betty Stark, who was a student at Holladay School, three schools were consolidated into one,” Glenn Jones, Putnam County archivist, said. “These were Lee Seminary, Lone Oak, and Pleasant Valley.”
The three men responsible for creating Holladay School were Harvey McCulley, who was the first principal; Monroe Hatfield, who was the superintendent of Schools; and Judge Oscar K. Holladay. The six-acre tract that became the Holladay School grounds was donated by a Mr. Smith, in memory of his daughter who died that year.
In consolidating the three schools, many students lived too far away to walk, so Holladay School had the first school buses in Putnam County. These were covered wagons pulled by horses. A large barn was built to house the three wagons, along with the horses and mules that the teachers and students rode to school.
Other activities held at the school included Vacation Bible School each summer and singing classes.
“On a rainy, stormy night, July 18, 1929, around midnight, an electrical storm passed through, and a bolt of lighting struck the bell tower, burning the school to the ground,” Jones said. “Daylight found the entire community gathered around the burning ashes of their four-room school house. With no time to lose, they set about to solve their problem.”
Arrangements were made to use Lee Seminary Church and Judd Graveyard Church as temporary schools. Three years later the new brick Holladay School was ready, and classes resumed at the former location.
Holladay School closed in 1965 and was sold to Clarence Carter, who made it into a private home. Dr. Sam Barnes owns and lives in the former school building today.
No comments:
Post a Comment