Towns & Cities: A History of Calvin, 1935, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: March 21, 1935 Winn Parish Enterprise History of Calvin Community and School Is Recounted Many Interesting Facts Are Given In Paper Prepared For Anniversary of Schools Professor G. H. Walker, principal of the Calvin High School, has furnished the Enterprise with a copy of the history of the Calvin community and school, which was given at the program of High School Celebration in Calvin last Friday. It follows: History of Calvin Community and School In 1843 William Carter put his family behind an ox team and started from Arkansas to Texas to make his home. When he reached the Homestead where Uncle Bob Carter, his son, now lives, he bargained for a little polehut owned by Jerry Duplissey and decided to wait until the following year to complete the tiresome journey. Making pretty good the first year, he decided to settle down here to make his home. He reared two daughters and four sons, two of whom fought in the Civil War. Uncle Bob stayed with his father's homestead and his brother Calvin settled a place adjacent to it. Uncle Bob is the only member of the family left and will be ninety years old May 8, 1935. "We had no neighbors for a number of years," says Uncle Bob. "We drove our fat hogs and turkeys to market at Alexandria." Uncle Bob told the writer that when he was grown there was not more than fifteen or twenty families in Ward Eight. "In 1901 the L. & A. Railway Company graded the road through here. In 1902 the steel was laid, and in June of that year Winnfield celebrated its completion with a big barbecue. In the same year, Mr. John Swanson of Dodson put in a twenty thousand dollar sawmill here, which later became the Dallas Lumber Co. "The town was first built on the Carter estate where Uncle Bob Carter now lives. It was naturally given the name of Carter. Castor, which is up the line, and Carter were so much alike, that the freight agents would get the freight mixed. And so they asked that the name be changed. It was at that time changed to Calvin in honor of Uncle Calvin Carter and for some reason was moved to its present sight. "Many settlers were attracted to the place because of the railroad and sawmill that had been put in. By 1902 the population had grown so that it was decided a school was needed. The work on the building was begun. While working on the school building a Baptist minister came to Calvin and held a revival under the old mill stand. People realized that they needed a church in the community. They decided there were not enough children to have school so they went into the building and organized a Baptist Church. The next year, however, they organized the first school with Miss Gordie Puckett teacher. "J. B. Wilson, father of Mrs. Bob Carter, has the distinction of being the first postmaster at Calvin, first school board member from Ward Eight, and the first justice of the peace. Mr. Wilson served on the parish school board for twenty years. After he resigned, Mr. W. R. Mixon served for a six year term. Mr. Braxton Wilson, son of Mr. J. B. Wilson, was elected and served for sixteen years. Mr. Charlie Canerday served on the parish board for six years and now we are represented by Mr. J. C. Megison of Ward Eight and Mr. Edd Weeks of Ward Ten. "In 1909 a two story school was constructed just in front of where the teachers cottage now stands. It consisted of two classrooms on the first floor and an auditorium on the second. Prof. E. C. Bott was the first principal. "Following Prof. Bott's administration the school grew slowly but steadily until the early twenties. In the fall of 1922 there came to Calvin as its educational leader a capable, energetic and ambitious young man named R. E. Oxford. It was through his ability, untiring efforts and help form a number of citizens that the school became an accredited High School during the 1925- 26 session. During the administration of Mr. Oxford a five thousand dollar addition was made to the old building. By this time the following school has united with Calvin: Rudd, Wattsville, Couley, and Shady Grove. "Mr. B. I. Kerney served as principal during the 1926-27 session. His administration greatly improved the library facilities and gave to the school its first piano. "Mr. L. R. Nelson served the school from 1928-1932. During his tenure of office the building facilities again became in adequate. Thus it was that in 1929 the modern brick structure which we now occupy was constructed. The building and equipment cost $57,000. It consists of seven classrooms, an auditorium, library, laboratory, Home Economics department, storage room and office with Miss Margaret Dunlap as teacher. For the last three years Mrs. A. L. Dickerson from Monroe has very efficiently headed that department. "In 1932 Mr. Roy Sanders was elected principal. After serving two years, he was granted a leave of absence for one year in order that he might continue his studies. Under his leadership agriculture is offered as a substitute for Latin. "At the present time, Mr. G. H. Walker is serving as principal. The faculty and students are striving to do their best under his capable and admirable leadership. He is very ably assisted by Mrs. D. L. Hoffman, Mrs. D. L. Dickerson, Miss Alma Pepper, Mrs. K. C. Simmons, Mrs. Roy Sanders, Mrs. G. H. Walker, Miss Elizabeth Fletcher, and Miss Noviadee Bayne. The school was not an accredited High School until 1926 but work done by the 1924 and 1925 classes was recognized after it was approved. The list of graduates are as follows: 1924: Belva Bice, Pearl Bundrick, Beatrice Jones, John Martin. 1925: Clinton Blake, Eva Carter, Addice Bundrick, Eva Carter, Bertha Machen. 1926: Hershel Martin, Ruby Brunson, Alma Carter, Myrtle Bice, Jewel Maxey. 1927: Arlan Bice, Marvin Chandler, Garlin Bice, Cora Golden, Shelby Hennigan, Elois Ray, Eddie Lee Drummond, Docia Blake. 1928: Bertha Carter, Artis Griffin, Loyd Puckett, Bessie Frazier 1929: Edna Mae Shaw, Pearl Lowe, Ester Claunch. 1930: No graduates, short term of school. 1931: Lillian Kate Chandler, Leon Carpenter, Annie Lee Bice, Ruth Carpenter, Edna Dean, Bertha Mae Carpenter, Madison Fannin, Whewell Maxey, Pluma Bell Brunson, Pearl Lee Carter. 1932: Julian Shaw, Ora Dell Frazier, Maggie Tyler, Louise Anderson, Winnie Garrett, Ida Martin, Don L. Fort, G. B. Crocker, Gladys Garrett, Emma Taylor. 1933: Bill Howard, Loyd Machen, Boother Maxey, Herman Canerday, Mary Lou Moss, Emma Burnum, Ruby Carpenter, Bill Dean. 1934: Conley Lee Shaw, Fabius R. Crocker, Rex Frazier, Verda Carpenter, Mary Bell Dean, Murry Riffe, Wilburn Terral, Jewel Canerday, Clyde Bagwell, Ora Mabel Taylor. Candidates for 1935 are: Sam Canerday, Eugene Garrett, John Taylor, Gladys Frazier, Addie Mae Rudd.