Comment by Chris Dunham on July 12, 2011 at 11:48pm

This is definitely the Rowe Hill school. The little red-headed boy in front is my grandfather Edgar, and I believe his brother Ted is standing to his left. Not sure if their sister Netta was still in school at this point. Gladys is in the back next to Rowena Ring. Rowena's sister Hilda would have been about 10 or 11, so she is probably in the picture—perhaps the girl standing in front of Rowena. Martha Brooks would have been 13 or 14, and was living in the district. My dad thinks that the boy at the far left in front is Linwood Ring. We will consult Aunt Vera at some point and see if she can identify everyone.

Comment by Troy Jordan on July 13, 2011 at 2:08pm

Thanks Chris.  I was able to identify Edgar, Ted and my grandmother, Gladys, but didn't realize it was Rowena next to her.  Now that you mention Linwood, there is a definite resemblance.  Wasn't sure about the others, but thought you would like seeing the picture if you hadn't already since your grandfather is front and almost center.  I was guessing at the date, as there are no markings on the picture but since Gladys was born in 1905, I guessed she was about 13 when this picture was taken.  Sure wish we could have gone to school barefoot!  I'll be anxious to hear if Aunt Vera can name the rest.

Comment by Chris Dunham on July 13, 2011 at 2:26pm

I think I saw this picture once at a historical society slideshow, but it's great to see it up close. Thanks for sharing!

 

1918 sounds about right. Colby Ring had a couple of sons of about the right age to be the other two boys on the left, and I believe they were living on Rowe Hill around this time. Franz Martin might be able to help with the identifications, as they would have been his uncles.

 

The school itself was built in 1910, replacing an older building that supposedly had been in service for some 75 years. The town sold the building in 1941. My father says that (according to Bernard Brooks) it was bought by Galen Curtis and moved to the lower Patch Mountain Road.

Comment by Chris Dunham on July 13, 2011 at 5:57pm

My Aunt Eileen just brought over another Rowe Hill school picture, probably from a year or so later. She says that Aunt Vera wasn't able to identify anyone else in your picture, but that they have a copy at the town office with all the names. According to what she was told, kids were allowed to go barefoot after Memorial Day, and in the fall as long as they could stand it.

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