March 30, 2006
Henry's Cross Roads School
Posted in Historic Architecture
Prior to 1900 the children of Henry's Cross Roads community attended classes in the church building known as Henry's Meeting House. Later an old store building on what is now the L.A. Swaggerty farm was bought. Edward Douglass gave the property that is now the site of the present school building.
Besides the regular classes, special sessions of music and writing were taught.
When the new school building was completed in the summer of 1900 the citizens were so proud of the one room building that they joined with the county and provided extra funds to build another room. This was the first two room school north of the French Broad River.
The name originally given to the school was Bassett Institute, in honor of Laura Bryan Bassett. Mrs. Bassett taught music and she gave a blackboard which was used in the larger room.
High school and college courses were taught here. Some of the ones who had intended to go away to college, went to Bassette Institute instead. Children of all ages and grades we in one room. The school closed at the end of the 1950-1951 school year.
Creed Swaggerty, a former student, acquired the schoolhouse and the three-fourth acre campus in 1952. Outside restoration was completed in 1979. The belfry stlil holds the school bell that summoned the children in years gone by to the school.
Source: Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage, 1994, Sevier County Heritage Book Committee and Don Mills, Inc., Waynesville, NC ,pg. 83.
Comments
March 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jennfromtenn
I catch a glimpse of this school nearly every day and have always wondered about it. Thanks for the info and the wonderful pictures. Also, I enjoyed talking with you on the walk. Have a great weekend!
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March 30, 2006 - Beautiful.....
Posted by iluvmy3chickiesandtheirdaddy2
Amy Beth, your pictures are just fantastic. A true talent you have!!! Thank you for sharing these and all the others you have already shared and the ones yet to come!!!
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March 31, 2006 - My school
Posted by ronandjess
I think that is what my school looked like in WV, lol. It may be bigger. I know the only grade with it's own class room were the 6th graders. I guess they were special. One janitor who only worked part time and a school cook who really did all the cooking. (Sound like my homeschool, lol).
Thanks for your tips on the front porch it is encouraging that you let me know people are out there.
Jess
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March 31, 2006 - Nice
Posted by SandBetweenMyToes
Like Jenn, I have often wondered about the schoolhouse, but have never stopped to find out about it. Thanks for sharing that information. The pictures are great.
Letitia
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March 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TOSPUBLISHER
That is a gorgeous schoolhouse. Is that the one you submitted to Trish? I hope she can use your pics; you are an incredible photographer. Jen is so mean...she has your photos framed on her walls and just keeps them there to make me MAD. heh heh
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March 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JenIG
i think I could sit and stare at your photos all day long. you are SO talented.
:)
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March 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by eyecorn
I'd love to have a picnic lunch under that tree and just think about the children who used to play in that schoolyard. I LOVE your photos!
THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! for fixing my blog!! And on a Friday night...that's a quadruple "thank you"!!!
Michelle
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