East Easton School

In the year 1854, in the same location as that which the East Easton School now stands, stood an old log schoolhouse. There are no records available to tell how many years before this date that the log schoolhouse was built. The district was then known as District Number 3 of the towns of Springville and Easton. Ira Pickett was school clerk.

The first teacher's contract found on record was issued to G L Palmer in December, 1858, for a term of three and one-half months at $26 per month. In 1865, Hattie M Clark had a contract to teach at this school for $3 per week. In 1870, Angelia Colby taught for $20 per month. Thomas Freeman was then county superintendent of schools in this county. He issued a certificate to Angelia Colby with her grades written on the certificate. Ten was the highest or perfect score.

The story has been handed down that this log schoolhouse burned in 1870 or 1871. However, there is a record of the building of a new schoolhouse (the one that is still in East Easton) in 1871. It was erected on a block foundation with a frame upper, the inside wood work was to be of seasoned wood. The first teacher to teach in this new school was G W Hatch, who started his three and one-half month term on December 4, 1871. He received $30 per month for his work to be paid on or before the last day of the term.

An interesting item to note would be the five-cent seal placed on each teacher's contract.

In 1916, an addition was built. This addition was used for a coatroom and a hallway. it was insulated in 1948, and was very comfortable whether the day was cold or warm. This school has existed now for 113 years, but for the last 30 years or so it has been left since being auctioned off when Easton and East Easton were consolidated with others and the school children were transported to what is now Castle Rock School (1954 or 1955).

The school board in November, 1870 (A Frost, director; J C Colby, Treasurer; and O M York, Clerk) adopted the following general rules: 1. No scholar shall refuse to obey the teacher in anything reasonable. 2. Any scholar adopting a study at the commencement of going to school shall not drop the same without the consent of both parent and teacher. 3. No scholar shall be allowed to use any obscene or profane language to the teacher. 4. Teacher may have the right to adopt any rules he thinks proper and will benefit the school, and the scholars must obey the same.

It is believed that Byron A Holbrook was the last teacher to teach in the old log school house. His contract was signed November 22, 1869, and the term was three and one-half months. Sometime before the contract was completed the log schoolhouse burned.

In the 1915-16 school year, the school board was Ezra L Frost, Clerk; Warren I Colby, Treasurer; and William C Reichhoff, Director. Florence E Billings was the County Superintendent at that time. The teacher was Nora B Lewis. There were 22 students that year.

In 1919, the teacher was Nellie E Russell and school board was E A Brown, Clerk; William C Reichhoff, Director, and Warren I Colby, Treasurer. There were only 17 students that year.

In the 1921-22 school year, there were only 16 students. The schoolboard consisted of M L Roller, Clerk; Warren I Colby, Treasurer; and William C Reichhoff, Director. Mrs Mary Brearey was the county superintendent and Miss Rowena was the Sup Teacher. Herbert Reid was the teacher.

At some time in the 1940s, two members of the school board were Lloyd C Colby (son of Warren I Colby and grandson of J C Colby, previous schoolboard members) and Earnest Reichhoff (son of William Reichhoff, previous schoolboard member).

Blanche Frost was probably one of the first women on the school board.

Winn McGowan would hold court in school when a student misbehaved. The student would be tried before a jury of students and if found guilty, would be sentenced, while Mr McGowan was acting judge.

Written by Jeanne M Colby, abt 1984