Easton School

An old log shanty was erected on a piece of land in Easton, about the time of the Civil War, for the purpose of educating young people in the neighborhood. The polot of land was cleared and set aside for a district school. It was never owned by any individual before that. The building and equipment were very crude. The seats were log benches placed around the outside of the room. There were very few textbooks. Usually, the teacher had those that were used. The children memorized, word for word, a great many of them. The water was hauled by pupils from nearby homes.

Later, when the log shanty became insufficient, it was torn down, and a new frame building was erected. The first teacher in this building was Nettie Ellis, who later became Nettie Ellis Twist (grandmother to my grandma, Reva Z Schoff Colby). Her salary was $18 per month in the fall and spring terms, and $20 per month for the winter term. The higher salary was paid in the winter because then many of the older boys attended school.

Now the textbooks were bought by the parents. Oftentimes a book would be handed down from one to the next, through an entire family. The Jefferson Pishion family used the Sander's Union Reader from the oldest child to the youngest child.

The first library was housed in a wooden box supported by four logs with a drop lid on top. The books were piled in from the top in higglety-pigglety fashion. The children amused themselves at recess and noon in the winter by gathering 'round to gaze at the library books. This was a great treat to them because there were so few books in those days.

One of the first school boards was J A Henry, William Eddy and William Risk.

The last teacher to teach in this building was Jennie Twist (Schoff), mother of Reva Z Schoff Colby, and daughter of the first teacher, Nettie Ellis Twist.

Among the historical activities of the school were the annual school meeting held the first Monday in July, and exhibition, church services, and Sunday School. Each year the school took part in the Farmer's Institute which was held at White Creek. Each year for several years on Memorial Day, White Creek, Easton and East Easton schools joined in a Memorial Day Service.

In 1904-1905, the third schoolhouse was built by Mr William Eddy. This building remained in use until closing in either 1954 or 1955. He built also, the first library cabinet with doors and shelves for library books.

In 1940, it was suggested by the state department that the East Easton and Easton schools be joined in one district, under one board, with each group running its school as before. This was done. Then the two schools operated as a state graded system, with the four upper grades at East Easton, and the four lower grades at Easton.

About thirty years ago, this school was put up for sale. It was bought by Charlie and Marion Gibbens and transformed into a house. This was at the time when children from Easton, East Easton, Town Line and other schools within the area were all transported to what is now Castle Rock School. The first teachers at Castle Rock were Freda Breene, Reva Z Schoff Colby (daughter of last teacher at second Easton School), Marion Gibbens, Hazel Robinson, Principal and Arlie VanWie.

Written by Jeanne M Colby, abt 1984