The local schools around Canoe have always played a major role in the community. Centers of social interaction, cultural events, music and education could all describe the island of benefits of a school in a small community set in a sea of agriculture and forests.
Looking back one hundred years at Canoe's schools show what was important to the student body and the area at the time. Many of the students enrolled at the time would go on to see the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II and man landing on the moon.
In October of 1920 the students of the Canoe school were busily preparing for Halloween by making tickets, posters and different things for a Fall Festival of sorts later in the month on the 29th. Annie Lou Howe and Mary Lois Watson were preparing to be witches at the festival.
The students planned to present a short play at the festival. "Beneath The Greenwood Tree," by Willis W. Bugbee. Hattie Lou Hall, Jessie Corley, Clyde Lowery, Claud Howe all had parts in the play.
The basket ball fund was growing as the sport's popularity continued to spread in the area and some students were making handkerchiefs as a school project.
The History and English Clubs were meeting later in the month.
The school's Principal, Miss Beatrice Agee had spent the weekend with friends in Montgomery. Miss Agee entertained the school's students with daily readings from Robinson Crusoe.
Agee had just finished reading "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to the students.
The Atmore Record reported the above events in its October 21, 1920 edition. It was one hundred years ago, and it wasn't history that made world events, but it was important (at least at the time) to the school kids and educators who were living their lives in the tiny community of Canoe. The simple memories of those days likely crossed their mind from time to time in later years like a fleeting breeze on a hot summer's day as the complexities of life called for their attention as adults and simpler times at the tiny school crossed their minds.
Available now: The Butler Street Chronicles; Selected histories of the communities surrounding Butler Street and will include information on settlers at Steadham, Pond Fork, Sizemore, Sardine, Butler Street, Hollinger and other communities along this route. Pick up your copy for $15. Copies can be purchased from the author or at Amazon.com or Lulu.com.
Vote for and support the Canoe Landmark District referendum on the 2020 ballot. Call for more details.
Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama.
