Hardtimes School, Franklin Parish, LA

Submitted by Thomas Moore

 

June 2001



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The first school built in Crowville was built about 1875.

This school was a small, one-roomed frame building and was

erected just west of Crowville, across the road from the 

Wilton Franklin home. This new educational center cost one

hundred dollars and was named "Hardtimes School." The 

furnishings in the building included benches which were

hand hewn, and the school sessions were three months long.

Within a few years, it became apparent that this school was

to small to accommodate all of the pupils. "Hardtimes" 

was torn down, moved to the present site of the grammer

school building, rebuilt with the same material but enlarged, 

and given a new name. The new name was Crowville School.



With the rapid growth of the community, this school space

likewise became inadequate; therefore, a new location was

selected for the school about 1879. The fourth location

was closer to the crossroads in the village, near the

junction of Highway 17 and Highway 577, on the present Dewitt

harper property.



The Crowville School did not teach school work above the

eight grade. It is realitively certain that some of the students

from Crowville community furthered their education at the 

Kinloch Institute.