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.

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