Historical Societies Latest Books Released
Schools of Cameron County 1817-to Present
We uncovered so much we ended up creating (3) books that covered 77 schools that cover the geographic area of Cameron County today.
(1) Driftwood-Emporium (2) Gibson-Grove (3) Lumber–Portage-Shippen
Each book is $10 donation or $25 for all three.
Upon researching our counties history, we discovered that we weren’t as uneducated as what once thought. We had schools as far back as 1817, 43 years before Cameron County was formed. There were schools in Rich Valley, Sterling Run, Castle Garden, Sinnemahoning, and First Fork and Sizerville to name a few. They cropped up in corn cribs, churches, log cabins, storerooms, etc.
As our county started to populate and small settlements were formed the folks looked within themselves as to who knew the basics like the “Three “Rs”, Reading, ‘Riting (Writing), and ‘Rithmetic (Arithmetic) alongside moral development to teach.
They used the Bible for reading since books were too expensive. Writing was practiced by scratching on small handheld slate tablets with chalk due to the cost of paper and ink. Arithmetic focused on basic counting, addition, subtraction, and practical rules for farming, trading and basic commerce.
The school year varied based on seasons due to agricultural seasons due to the fact there were no structural system standards at the time until 1834 that created a statewide system of common schools. It was to provide education without stigmatizing poor families. It authorized every county, township, borough and city ward to form school districts and levy local taxes to support free public-school instruction.
The earliest document of a teacher provisional certificate we have is of Roseanna Sizer dated May 13, 1828, signed by the McKean County Superintendent Luther R. Wisner.
These books are packed with hundreds of photos and histories of these schools, something we all have in common.
One last thing that has been requested by numerous requests is the “Ghost Walk” book about the 6 Civilian Conservation Corp camps has been reprinted. The book includes the entire story of the Pepper Hill Fire where 8 people perished while fighting it. The book includes an abundance of photos that shows the way life was in the camps at: Sizerville, Hunts Run, Lushbach, Wykoff Run, Lushbaugh and Bobby’s Run. The donation for this exclusive book is $25.
The schoolbooks “debut” will be available at the Sinnemahoning Park Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, along with the reprint of “Ghost Walk.” You really need to check out our booth this year we have new and exciting items never seen before available.
See you there!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment