Terra Alta Public Schools, Preston County, West Virginia This file was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All ofher rights reserved. Any ofher use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or ofher means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm Source: History of Education in West Virginia Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools 1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904 pg. 148-149 Terra Alta Public Schools BY V. W. GANDT, PRINCIPAL Terra Alta is located on the crest of the Alleghenies, 3,000 feet above the sea level. The scenery is the most magnificent that can be found in the mountains, and is spread in unparallelled contrast. At one point a beautiful view of undulating meadow land, emerald fields and sunny slopes; at another, a grand view of hills and vales, with the mountains standing out bold and grim against the far horizon. BUILDINGS The first building under the free-school system was a two-roomed structure located in the east end of town. The school enrollment kept pace with the growth of the town, until this building was no longer adequate to accommodate all. In 1878 a lot was secured on one of the principal streets, and a frame building erected; having two rooms on the first floor, and one large assembly room on the second. This building was twice as large as was necessary at that time, and served its purpose tor 20 years; the corps of teachers being increased from two to five. In 1900 this building was sold, moved off the lot, and a handsome brick structure erected in its stead, costing $25,000. The new building is three stories high, has eight large well-lighted class rooms, an office and library; the whole of the third story being an assembly room for educational meetings, teachers' institutes, etc. The Williams' system of heating and ventilating with dry closet attach- ment, is used with entire satisfaction. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION In addition to the common branches the following subjects are re- quired tor graduation; algebra, three years; rhetoric, two years; geometry, two years; Latin, three years. Written examinations with an average of 75 per cent are required for promotion. Supplementary work by teachers and pupils is required in the advanced grades. In addition to the regular school term, a summer normal has been taught here tor several years past with marked success. At the present time this summer session is under charge of F. W. Gandy, principal, and Jos. W. Stayman, principal of the Keyser schools. OFFICERS AND TEACHERS The Board of Education consists of Edmund Whitehair, President; Jno. M. Freeland and Nolan J. Gibson, Commissioners; Secretary, Jno. W. Hill. The present corps of teachers is as follows: F. W. Gandy, Principal. C. W. Hennen, First Assistant. Nettie S. Herndon, Intermediate Department. Nora Welch, Grammar Department. Cedar V. Grosscup, Grammar Department. Lillie I. Dewitt, Second Primary. Hattle J. White, First Primary. A LIST OF PRINCIPALS OF THE TERRA ALTA SCHOOLS SINCE 1878 L. W. Fike, '78 and '79. Parley DeBerry, '80 and '86. George Rogers, '81. A. J. Elliott, '82 and '86. Irene Harshbarger, '83. Baldwin Freeland, '85. K. E. Burke, '87. C. J. Allen, '88. C. Hartmeyer, '90. B. D. Rose, '89. Ben. H. Elsey, '91. Geo. M. Ford, '92 and '93. H. S. Whetsell, '94. O. C. Wilt, '95. P. C. McBee, '96, '97 and '98. Jos. W. Stayman, '99, '00 and '01. F. W. Gandy, '02 and '03.