Yountsville School-An early History - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

In 1893 Yountsville was in need of a new school as the old school houses where the children were attending were in need of repair.  On July 1, 1893 Benton Snyder, the Ripley Township Trestee, bought land located in Section 9, Township 18, Range 5 West, from Edgar O'Neal and his wife Ida Troutman O'Neal, for the purpose of building a new school house.

The township built a two-room school and the community of Yountsville built a comminity hall above the two classrooms.  A mr. Smith and Frank Jameson helped build the school.  The school housed grades 1-8.  The new school was pccupied October 8, 1893 with an enrollment of 43 students.  Some of the first students were Gail Fink, George Snyder, Guy Moore and Mae Hurst.

The school was heated by big stoves and the lights were coal-oil lamps with reflectors fastened to the outside walls.  The upstairs has a stage at the east end of the comminity room where many home talent shows were givens.   A literary society was held on Friday night.  There were debates on current events which were both educational and enteraining.  On the last day of school students, parents, teachers and community people, enjoyed a big dinner.

In 1893 students found their own mode of transportation.  Most of the students walked to school, but a few lucky onesrode in a buggy, or evan on a horse.  The first school hack drivers were Bill Harp, Sam Stevens, Nathanel Moore and Robert Milburn.  They all drove horse drawn hacks.  In later years Clyde Strauderman and Elmer Swank drove motor hacks.

Neal Leonard was the janitor at the Yountsville School from 1923-1928.  Maurice Gilkey was the township trustee and he had Electricity, a coal furance, and running water installed.  Times were hard and so the teachers took over the janitorial chores.  In 1938 the Yountsville School was closed.  In 1946 the school was sold and the school bell was sold to a church organization in Arizona.