History of Bethel District Number 49

The first school in this immediate section was taught in 1904 in a one-room building poorly constructed and equipped and located in Mr. McCollum's pasture. In 1908, the district was formally organized from a division of the Knight School District Number Thirty-one; at this time Knight School was enlarged by a tract from the Buffalo Gap District Number Nine. In 1914, there were too many pupils for one teacher in each of the schools concerned, and "old" Bethel and the Knight School consolidated under the name "Bethel," which, to say the least, is according to the Scriptures. At this time a thousand dollar bond was voted and a twenty-five cent tax levied. A modern two-room school building was erected near the center of the district not far from Elm Creek, with a high hill nearby in the rear as suggestion of a substantial "backing." Miss Margaret Goodnight was the last teacher at "old" Bethel and the first one in the new building, being assisted by her sister, Miss Mamie, in the first two-teacher school the district ever had. The tax rate in this district was increased to fifty cents in 1917 and State Aid has been a great help to the school since that time. Because of the limited number of children enrolled in the district in the spring of 1921, it was found best to continue the work this year with only one teacher. Miss Udell Neal, who had served the district before, was in charge, and the work done was indeed gratifying to all concerned. This ambitious little district has recently voted the limit on the tax-one dollar-and is hoping that conditions will permit the maintenance next year of a two-teacher school. Here's to Bethel!

(Data submitted by IDA COLLINS in story, "What a Change.")

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