This is currently the elementary school for the children of the Flat Gap area in Kentucky. However, when it was originally built in 1944 it was the high school for grades 8-12. Grandpa went to school here and has very fond memories of his time spent in high school.
All of of Grandpa's siblings, including himself, graduated from high school which was quite a feat for the time and the geographical region. Grandpa graduated in 1948 and was quite the basketball player. He has many stories about him and his coach who would call him 'Big Pickle'. Those stories, however, are for another post.
Grandpa commented that it was a wonder why his parents pushed him and his siblings to finish school when all that was available in the means of a career was farming, which was quickly dying and coal mining. Both, did not require a high school in any shape. He is thankful for his high school degree that prepared him for his vocational studies in mechanics later in life.
He remembers that when in school they would spend 2 hours a day in agriculture class. He commented what a waste he thought that was! Why would he need to learn things that his parents and himself performed on a daily basis (Growing corn, tending to livestock, etc.). Either way, it taught him discipline.
This school was a huge asset to this rural Flat Gap community. This school provided the students with such luxuries as running water, indoor bathrooms that were plumbed, water fountains and electricity! Grandpa mentioned that in the prior building there would be a big bucket in the school room filled with well water. Each student would have there metal cup on a peg on the wall above the bucket. That is how they would take a drink during the day!
I love this picture below, Grandpa, myself and Lily
Right next to the school, is a large field pictured below. It's tobacco, right next to an elementary school! Grandpa said that house and the barns were there when he went to schoool there.
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