Schools, Drew Elementary, Ouachita, LA
Submitted by Anonymous May 22, 2004  
History of Drew Elementary School West Monroe LA 
From the 1982 Drew School Yearbook


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       In 1882 James Cloyd Drew built the first school house in what is now known as Drew Community, located about 10 miles from West Monroe. This school was made of hand hewn logs which measured 21' by 31' and stood until around 1977 when it was cleared away for a home for the owner. Some of the logs are in the den of the descendants of Mr. Drew have them as mantels. There were no nails or pegs used in this structure. All that is left of the original settlement is the Drew Community Cemetery. The location of Drew School was moved approximately one mile west to its present location in 1906 when Mr. Joseph Andrews and Mr. W. A. Gilliland donated the land for a school. A two story structure was built in 1907 where the basketball court is now located. This structure stood until it fell or was moved. In 1924 there was a Dining Hall built which doubled as classrooms for the high school. 
       Until 1949, students went at least through the eighth grade and to Ouachita High on South Grand. After West Monroe was built in 1953, students didn't cross the river. During this time the final grade was either tenth, eleventh or twelfth, depending on the year and superintendent of schools. Up until spring of 1961 students went through the eighth grade. At times students were sent to Crosley or Calhoun for the seventh or eighth grades. The Dining Hall built in 1924 was also used as a community gathering place. There were two classrooms and a dining area. The walls folded back for a large dining area for chicken suppers to raise money for the school or for a stage complete with steps for plays or seasonal programs. 
       In 1948, the present school building was built and the cafeteria was built in 1949. The old dining hall was then used as a gym or storage until 1973 when the PTA and William Carol George (Principal) turned the old dining hall into classrooms for the Kindergarten. You can still tell where the stage steps are. The kitchen-dining area is now the back classroom. The present rooms were storage area. The front classrooms received permanent walls.
       The Principals Mr. Wilson Hart-1907, Dr. J. T. (Jim) French-1910, Mr. Webb Goodlett-through the spring of 1918, Mr. Mytto (ed) Larche-1918, Mr. E. H. Williamson-fall of 1920 through spring of 1942, Mr. H. C. Cook-1942 through 1944, Mrs. J. W. (Glenora) Wininger-1944 through 1945, Mrs. A. P. Burkett-1945 through 1966 and Mr. W. C. George-1966 until present (1982) Dr. Jim French was a good disciplinarian and ran a very good school. He planted beautiful flowers in the school yard. There was a fence around the school and the only way to get in the yard was by a stile. The fence was to keep cows out of the yard. Mr. E. H. Williamson was better known as "Fesser". 
       Some of the teachers were Mrs. Louise Riggs Martin 1912-1914, Mrs. Clara Mitchell Williams, Mrs. Amy Hunt McMillian, Mrs. Mary Pope, Mrs. Jeannie Belle Culpepper Simpson, Miss Helen Hunt, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Miss Ruby Lynch, Mrs. McClendeon, and Mrs. Clara Dennis. Some of the cafeteria workers were Mrs. D. K. (Annie Mae) Aldridge, and Mrs. W. B. (Alma) Nelson. Mrs. Cummings replaced Mrs. Nelson after a little over a year.

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