Clarksville Schools

from West Clarksville 1835-1985 Sesquicentennial Book

TOWN OF CLARKSVILLE SCHOOLS

According to Allegany Co. History, the first school house in this town was built in 1833, about six rods from the corners, in the Village of Clarksville, and it retains the same number. The first school was taught by Miss Maria McDougel in 1827 with eight pupils in a small frame building where Kinney's Hotel now stands. 'Tis said that at one time the school was in the vicinity of the Nile Road and Rte. 305. One night the men of the village of W. Clarksville went up with chains and oxen and drew the school house down to where the Kinney House now sets, the residence of Paul and Charlotte Gessel.

 

The first school house in Obi was known as the Old Red School House and was built on a corner of the Cemetery lot in 1830. The first teacher was George Irish.

 

Another school house was built in 1885 and the Old Red School house moved onto the Emery Osterstuck farm and used for a horse barn.

 

The Eastman School, located on Daggett Hollow Road was built in 1864 by Lanson Childs. The first teacher was Jule Ferrington.

 

The White School House, situated on the former H.H. Barber farm, was built in 1864 and rebuilt in 1882.

DISTRICT #1 - WEST CLARKSVILLE SCHOOL

 

The school was one room, eight grades until 1903. In 1903 they added a second room, making four grades to a room. About 1938 Clarksville centralized with Richburg. Ellwood and Ethel Deschler have made one part of the old school their home. The other part burned when Ross and Inez Shelley lived in it.

 

A new brick school was built Sept. 19, 1939 accommodating pupils from Kindergarten through six grades. School closed by unanimous vote of the Richburg Board of Education May 2, 1966 and its 34 pupils in grades 1-5 absorbed into Richburg School. Students are bussed to Richburg.

 

(August 22, 1966, Supervisor Carl Lackey and his Council agreed that the school building and garage and land should be acquired for Council meetings, elections, etc. The Town to shoulder cost of maintaining the building and grounds and any other expenses. First Board meeting in Town Hall October 13, 1966, Carl Lackey, Supervisor.)

 

Some of the teachers Dist. #1 were (not in sequence) Charlotte Booth, Clarinda McVey, Victor Hammond, Marie Congdon Fitzgerald and Alma Reitz. Ruth Briggs Lamb and Louise Updyke taught school in Dist. #1 for many years. Mae Perry was hired to teach in the 30's at the time Zey Hammond was unable to discipline the students. Mrs. Dorothy Dennis, Cafeteria Manager; Mrs. Margaret Butts, Custodian from 1953-66; Anson Congdon, Custodian. Supt. of Schools Oscar Burdick and Wilfred Coyle. Dist. Nurse, Anna McQueene. Trustees, Harvey McIntyre, Fred R. Williams; Attendance Officer, Fred Foster.