History of the Elmdale District Number 29
Many people, upon coming to Elmdale for the first time, may look for the groves of elms that they
would naturally expect to find. However, since names often go by opposites, it is quite likely that, many years ago,
when prairie schooners were crossing the hot prairies near Elmdale, the weary and thirsty travelers looked out and
rejoiced to see what they thought were lakes of beautiful water and groves of restful trees -a lovely dale with stately
elms. Unfortunately this appearance was only a mirage, but "Elmdale" it is-in name-even today.
This district was separated from Hamby district, Number One, and organised in 1895; in the fall of this year
other changes came concerning the new district and the Colony Hill District Number Two. In 1899 a small section of.
Callahan County was added to the district for school purposes. In 1919, just before the district was bonded, another
change was made in favor a the North Park District Number Thirty-nine. The first school building at Elmdale was
naturally a very simple structure, poorly equipped; one room of the old frame building just south of the rail-road,
which is still used for general community meetings, represents this old building, at first, of course, a one-teacher
school. In. the early days, when the roads to Abilene were less favorable than they are now, there were fewer children
transferred out of the district and it was soon found necessary to add the second room and second teacher. $7,000 worth
of bonds for the present building were voted in 1919 and the tax increased to fifty cents. A modern two-room brick
building, with good equipment, was erected about a half mile north of the old site.
Some of the teachers whose services have been appreciated in the district during the past ten years are: Mr. J.
E. Smith, afterwards County Superintendent (deceased); Mr. Dillard, Miss Gertrude Adams, Mr. Guy E. Weisner, Miss Neva
Willis, Miss Inez Norton, Mr. T. J. R. Swafford, Miss Alma Harber, Mr. R. T. Stone, Miss Mary Nisbett, Miss Catherine
Insall, Mrs. L. A. Muston, Miss Gertrude Story, Miss Inez Ratliffe, Mrs. J. T. Blanton, and Miss Lois McKathen.
The teachers in charge of the school this year - 1921-1922 - were Mrs. E. D. Thomas, Miss Nell Danner, and Miss
Lena Tikker, the last named having succeeded Miss Danner who resigned because of illness. Some good work was done.
Mention should be made of the fact that, through the particular efforts of Mr. W. O. Johnson, one of the good trustees,
some State Aid was receive for the first time and the school work was continued for a while under Miss Lucille
Cotman.
Data furnished by DELBERT JOHNSON.
Class Roll
FIRST GRADE
Frances Davis
A. F. Roberts
Omega Roberts
Nancy Legg
Max Legg
Bonnie Dee Barnard
Jesse Brown
Nell Brown
Mcie Neely
Opal Dement
Glenn McGuire
Wilma Barnard
Pauline Pittman
Wilmer Erwin
Henry Pittman
|
SECOND GRADE
Katherine Morton
Singleton Eargle
Mayo Varnell
Ovie Pittman
Hubert Lewis
Ruby Erwin
Clarence Wright
Ray Barnard
R. P. Newby |
THIRD GRADE
Raymond Legg
Juanita Roberts
J. D. Newby
Carl Pittman
Estell Eargle
Cleo Blalock
Cleo Le May
Lois Sitton
George Woods
Kermit Wright |
FOURTH GRADE
Albert Le May
Melvin Roberts
J. V. Legg
Doris Wright |
FIFTH GRADE
Leon McGuire
Cliftorn Lewis
Ollie Morton
Junior House
Edith Roberts
John Daniel
|
SIXTH GRADE
Jean Pittman
Avaleen Le May
Willie John Neely
Eula Hicks
Alice Roberts |
SEVENTH GRADE
Zelma Newby
Oscar Johnson
Virginia Neely
Claud Daniel
B. Johnson
Gladys Hicks |
EIGHTH GRADE
Allie Mae Newby
Delbert Johnson
Katie Hicks |
|