White Oaks Academy Association 1887

August 22, 1887  White Oaks Academy Association was legally formed..

On August 20th, 1887 was the first mention of the Academy in the Lincoln County Leader, “There shall be an Academy established in White Oaks.” The initial plan was to build a 2 story building whereas, the public school occupying the downstairs, and the Academy the upstairs. With a budget of $2,500. But a second motion to build a more expensive structure was realized.  At this time, $1,900 was subscribed and about $1,000 realized. $300 which was be supplied for Desks, black boards etc. See Here  On Monday, September 21, 1887, William C McDonald receives telegraph from Mr. Fisk regarding,  Mr. Frank Richmond from Boston Mass he was hired for Principal of the Academy and was informed to come immediately.  

“Have directed Richmond to start for White Oaks immediately” 

 The  Association reported several building sites and the contract to build about Oct 10, 1887. See Here  Professor Frank H Richmond arrives in White Oaks about 6th of Oct.  The Academy will be in the Town Hall and open for the first time, Monday Oct 10, 1887. More Here The Town Trustees sold 30 lots last Saturday benefiting the school fund $748.50 totaling $4,000 building fund subscribed. See Here November 12th, 1887 Frank Richmond receives  two hundred dollars  his first month teaching:

November 26, 1887:

There are many who think the managing stockholders of the Academy have been very slow –indeed some think the structure should have been ready for occupancy by this time. They little think of the time essential to secure proper site and legal title. The Association have now secured a picturesque site on the eminence in the center, and on the North side of town, with it’s Eastern corner bordering on Pine Street See More

1st Trouble facing the Academy – forced to build 

November 26, 1887: Our School Board have officially announced that on Monday the public school will open, with Miss B. O. Rencher as teacher. We apprehend trouble will grow out of this resolve, inasmuch as the School Board contemplate having the school in the “Town Hall” whereas the Academy Board claim to have the Hall rented until the 1st of January.  See Clipping After hearing both sides, it was determined that the Academy holds the Town Hall until the 1st of January. See Full Article

From the Clipping above, gives the White Oaks Academy Association about 2 weeks to construct a temporary building. 

March 23, 1888

White Oaks Academy Honor Roll
The following pupils have been neither late nor absent for any cause whatever during the month beginning Feb 20 and closing March 16: Miss Ida Greene Allen Lane Ernest Langston Miss Nellie Mackel Miss Susie Timoney Villett Stomp Ole Bellomy F. Richmond, Principal.
compiled by Michelle White

June 2, 1888

Bids are now being received for the building of the Academy. As we noted last week the structure will be of brick. It will be 40 X 60, one story in height, and will be  divided into two room, 25 X 40 and 35 X 40, 13 feet in the clear.

See Location of Academy on Interactive Google Map

June 9th 1888

William Watson orders the Trustees to return the $1,200 dollars to the Board of Trustees. See Here

September 29, 1888

It’s the Author’s of this site belief that the article written below is most likely, “John Hewitt” The blame is directed at what we believe is Mr. Frank Richmond the young professor hired to open the Academy.  At the bottom, the name of Dennis. You will also see the name of St. Dennis in the article Mr. Frank Richmond sends a year later from New York. (see below Dec 7th, 1889)

February 2nd, 1889

The lack of the Academy’s  support and financial difficulties in the community see more

March 2nd 1889, Academy reopens with townspeople teaching

April 13, 1889

The Academy term lasting 10 months. See Clipping

Dec 7th, 1889

Letter from Professor Richmond signed St. Denise.  See Here

April 4th, 1890

Abbey Hall is employed to teach 21 Pupils in the temporary Academy building See Clipping Here

Oct 3rd, 1891

Authors’ Note

From the unset of making this page about the White Oaks Academy, it was our belief that a structure was built and existed and we would find evidence for it. To our dismay this was not the case. However, it did exist in a temporary structure built in 2 weeks while plans for the New Building to be carried out.  It’s also the Author’s belief that because of the temporary structure, many of the townspeople looked upon it as a disgrace and not worthy of calling it an Academy. So maybe, if John Hewitt would have first built the structure he wanted, it would have had a better chance of being successful. His intention was good, but planning not as good.

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