April 2015
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Today in Mississippi
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And the walls were tumbling down he United States and the South, in particular, have not been vigilant in protecting and preserving many of our treasures. By treasures, I am referring to many of our old buildings. I know there are exceptions to this and numerous southern cities have maintained their very old structures. New England, and other northern states have refurbished and protected their historic treasures. But there are still too many instances where commercial progress has triumphed over historical value. So with pride I relate this story. As attractive as progress appears to our modern eyes—shiny new buildings—tragically, some day many of them will disappear from view, forgotten and returning to the soil from which they came. Not so for the little white schoolhouse trimmed in red that was built in 1880. Though at one time she was halfway through her last breath. The one-room school building of heart pine was built on the GreeneJackson County line near Evanston, a small community, to accommodate children without a school. At this time George County had not been formed, and the residents here lived in either what was northern Jackson County or southern Greene County. The nearest schools for children in this area at that time were in Pascagoula or Leakesville. Quite a distance from the county line. A few families had relatives in those towns, though, and their children lived with them and attended school. The Evanston School later became known as County Line School (CLS). In 1910 George County’s boundaries were established and incorporated, etched from Green and Jackson counties. The CLS is the oldest surviving school building in George County. With only half a breath left in the building, one man became the White Knight by stepping up with a respirator: He organized a committee to save the old school from certain collapse. Joe Cowart was not only an advocate but extremely persistent. A number of civic and business men and women joined him in 2008: co-chairman Louis Valentine, Mayor Doug Lee, Dr. Dayton Whites, Joe Dickerson, Jeanine and Yvonne Havard, Janet Smith, Judge Darwin Maples and Kathy Johnson were
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only a few of the fervent committee members who worked diligently to save this small part of history in this small town of Lucedale. “Do not talk much about me when you write,” Joe said, “because it was the entire Restoration Committee who wanted to preserve the schoolhouse. It was important to us. That tiny school gave a lot of children an education through the eighth grade and should not be dismissed and forgotten. They have grandchildren who live here today.” “That must have been an expensive task,” I said. “Did you receive a grant?” “We tried,” he said, “but a grant was not available, so it was restored through donations and fundraisers. However, items such as bricks and lumber were donated, along with labor. The cypress wood used for the entire building was donated by Darwin Maples.” I asked Joe to tell me about Grin ‘n’ the school children in that Bare It day… in a nutby Kay Grafe shell. He laughed and said, “I’ll try. Desks, which held two students and an inkwell, were placed in rows with the largest desks in the back. The students bought their own books and wrote with ‘penny pencils’ or on slates. There were one to six students in each grade. “The number of students enrolled in all grades averaged about 43. Remember, the students had to work on family farms, so half that many came to school during the farms’ busy seasons. One school year might be 80 days long and another 107 days.
“The school was moved four times; in Mississippi towns, to save their treasures. early years it was rolled to the new locaTo book the school house for nontion on logs. The little school was closed profit groups free of charge for education in 1924. There are so many stories, but programs contact Kathy Johnson, they would fill up Today in Mississippi.” Lucedale City Hall at 601-947-2082. He rolled his eyes. “By the time the city acquired the school from the Garden Club, who acquired it from the Lions Club, it had been moved to the Lucedale City Park. The Garden Club did some restoration as best they could, but it was an overwhelming job. After 128 years the building was crumbling.” “Joe,” I said, “our park is a remarkable asset to Lucedale, and now the restored one-room school house from 1880 has added a historical treasure to Hard work by a group of dedicated community leaders saved this 1880 schoolits grounds for the house from disappearing into history. The school now stands in Lucedale City public to enjoy first Park. hand. I, for only one of many, thank you and the committee Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh My for your determination and hard work.” Gosh, Virginia.” To order, send name, Hopefully, what was accomplished by address, phone number and $16.95, plus this small group of dedicated citizens will $3.50 S&H to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig Farm inspire other groups, in other small Road, Lucedale, MS 39452.
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