Mystery of the Butler Street School

Travelling northwest from Robinsonville one will soon reach the lower end of Butler Street. The road and community known as Butler Street stretches into Monroe County and scenic views along the route offer a pleasant distraction from the homogenized billboards and miles of boring interstate that cuts across the road at Little Rock.

There are many old farms and homesteads that dot the landscape along Butler Street, as well as old service stations and churches where people toiled, raised families, worshiped and lived out their lives across the decades. These quiet memorials to the past all have a story to tell if one knows where to look. Looking deeper into the markers of the past one finds the subtle mystery of the Butler Street School.

Based upon research in the ancient documents known as our old newspapers from this area, it appears the first mention of the Butler Street School appears in the late 1800s. The school seems to disappear from the public discourse in the early 1920s. Yet based upon the weekly accounts in the local papers the school was a source of community pride, religious services, music and the education of the area's young people.

One notable mention of the school was published on September 28, 1916 in the Pine Belt News. The paper noted, "Friday was observed as a clean up day at the Butler Street School. Quite a large number of patrons were present and worked with untiring efforts in getting the house and grounds ready,"

During this school year the Butler Street School boasted 52 pupils. The school at Local, Alabama also opened during this time and it was rumored that many students would begin attending Local instead. Local is now known as Huxford.

Later that year, another local paper reported on the Halloween Party and box supper held. Chief amusements included fortune telling, bobbing for apples and a candy drawing. The paper noted a nice sum of money was realized for the school at this event.

It is most likely the case that the school ran from the 1st-6th grade. The November 30, 1911 Pine Belt News recorded the Honor Roll as follows:

6th grade-Mamie Thigpen, Charlie Hadley, Louise Wilson, Lola Blackburn

5th grade-Leonard Blackburn, Velma Thigpen, Gladys Hadley, Stella Lane, William Diamond

3rd grade-Thelma English, Florence Lane, Ray Hadley

2nd grade-Kate Keith

1st grade-Houston Dreaden, Jones Blackburn, Karrie English, Nerna Dreaden, Hattie Bell English.

Recorded in the old papers are the following Principals for the school, Q.E. Wells, Jessie Barker and his assistant Katie Barker, Miss Zimmerman and Lela Lane.

The school was also used as a religious center as well. One local paper reported on June 1, 1922 Brother Thomas H. Blair preaching a good sermon at the Butler Street School on Sunday evening.

Q.E. Wells preached many sermons at the school as well as serving as the Principal. The Atmore Record reported on December 2, 1920, "Thanksgiving services held by Rev. Q.E. Wells were greatly enjoyed. Wells is doing a great work here, both in the church and school, and it is hoped he will soon have the cooperation of the entire community."

The fate of the school is as much shrouded in the fog of history as the school's origins. Even the location was not certain until around the last few days. Years ago Mrs. Carolyn Conn had told this writer of an old school in the proximity of Chitterling Creek Road off of Butler Street. During a recent Facebook discussion on the Escambia County History page, Mr. Jim Hildreth posted an old 1922 map that showed a school on the east side of the Butler Street Road near the location referenced by Mrs. Conn during the 2007 conversation. A Sunday afternoon drive to the location on the map did not reveal any obvious ruins but did show a curious stand of old trees that might be the location.

The rich history of our area is all around us and many times we may have unknowingly driven by the site of old schools, festivals and Sunday sermons lost to the decades.

This year's Canoe Community Homecoming Festival will be held November 17, 2018 from 8am-2pm in beautiful downtown Canoe. Re-enactors, vendors, food and drinks and historical tours will be conducted along Lowery Lane in the heart of the old downtown. Make your plans to attend.

Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama or by calling 251 294 0293.