Campbell School 1925
Before automotive transportation was widespread and available,
school students, some as young as six, had to walk to school;
consequently, schools needed to be within walking distance. Often
the population in the area was so sparse that a small building was
adequate, even as small as one room, to accommodate all grades from
one through seven. One such building was "Campbell School." It was
constructed in the early part of the twentieth century, approximately
six miles southeastof Rockingham NC on the East side of Sandhill
Road, some 300 yards north of the birthplace of Governor, later US
Senator, Cameron Morrison The site was owned by Allison Campbell
(and later by my father, Elias Campbell). Our home was only 100
yards from the school. Bus transportation became available in the
fall of 1926, and the school was closed two years later in the summer
of 1928. Thereafter, students were transported to Cordova School. I
had attended the school three years--from the fall of 1925 to the
summner of 1928, and entered the Cordova School in the fifth grade.
Compared to today's schools, Campbell School's accommodations
were meagre. There was central heat only if the Franklin stove was in
the center of the room, and air conditioning when a window or the
one door was open. Outhouses were a bonanza--there were two of
them. Drinking water was drawn from an open (and never inspected)
well in the backyard of our home. It was then toted, usually by one of
the students, across a cotton field--picking up a little trash and a few
bugs along the way. Everyone drank from the same bucket with one
community dipper. Water for sanitation purposes, such as after
outhouse use, was never considered necessary. The larger boys
helped with heating the stove in cold weather, and older girls assisted
in housecleaning; however, all was under the direction of the
teacher. I never saw a fire extinguisher or any other safety features. I
think the teacher had the equilvalent of a first aid kit in the event one
was needed, which was rare. Recess was the big event of the day.
Games played included Hail Over (a ball thrown over the building
and a chase around it like the game called Fox and Geese), Hide and
Seek, Skip Rope, and the Campbell version of baseball. Everyone has
the opportunity to participate, regardless of age or size. It was fun.
There was never a fatality and few injuries.
The fall term in southern country schools started after the first round
of cotton picking. Even a six year old was expected to pick his weight
in cotton each day; so, school could wait. The teacher was principal,
counselor, disciplinarian, secretary, nurse, custodian, ad infinitum.
She (always a young woman) boarded with a family in the school
district. I recall that two times a teacher boarded in our little home.
Students were within hearing range of the lessons being taught in
other grades, so they could listen in. I suppose that is how I was able
to learn what the second graders were being taught; anyway, at the
beginning of my second school year I was assigned to the third
grade.. I was in the fourth grade during my third year, which was the
final year for Campbell School. After this, I enrolled in Cordova
School as a fifth grade student. After the Christmas Holidays I was
promoted to the sixth grade along with a few others, including twins
James and John Pittman (both of whom became attorneys in
Rockingham.) The promotions led to the situation whereby I was a
high school student at age ten. At age twelve the courses I studied
were: English Literature, Elementary Chemistry, Plane Geometry,
First Year French, and Third Year Latin--translating Cicero's
Orations from Latin to English.
Despite having to share a teacher and much or the school day,
small-school students received a good elementary education, I
believe. Three other children in my family, all older than I, attended
the school. All four of us did well in high school, as well as in other
activities in life. (My sister, Oakley, was one ot the brightest and
smartest persons I have known. Sister Ella May and Brother Daniel E
were well prepared for life in this world of God's. I like to think I was,
too.) Alas, the one room school is no more, but the mission assigned
to it has been accomplished, and I am grateful for its benefits. I pray
that I am deserving.
Grady Campbell
Before automotive transportation was widespread and available,
school students, some as young as six, had to walk to school;
consequently, schools needed to be within walking distance. Often
the population in the area was so sparse that a small building was
adequate, even as small as one room, to accommodate all grades from
one through seven. One such building was "Campbell School." It was
constructed in the early part of the twentieth century, approximately
six miles southeastof Rockingham NC on the East side of Sandhill
Road, some 300 yards north of the birthplace of Governor, later US
Senator, Cameron Morrison The site was owned by Allison Campbell
(and later by my father, Elias Campbell). Our home was only 100
yards from the school. Bus transportation became available in the
fall of 1926, and the school was closed two years later in the summer
of 1928. Thereafter, students were transported to Cordova School. I
had attended the school three years--from the fall of 1925 to the
summner of 1928, and entered the Cordova School in the fifth grade.
Compared to today's schools, Campbell School's accommodations
were meagre. There was central heat only if the Franklin stove was in
the center of the room, and air conditioning when a window or the
one door was open. Outhouses were a bonanza--there were two of
them. Drinking water was drawn from an open (and never inspected)
well in the backyard of our home. It was then toted, usually by one of
the students, across a cotton field--picking up a little trash and a few
bugs along the way. Everyone drank from the same bucket with one
community dipper. Water for sanitation purposes, such as after
outhouse use, was never considered necessary. The larger boys
helped with heating the stove in cold weather, and older girls assisted
in housecleaning; however, all was under the direction of the
teacher. I never saw a fire extinguisher or any other safety features. I
think the teacher had the equilvalent of a first aid kit in the event one
was needed, which was rare. Recess was the big event of the day.
Games played included Hail Over (a ball thrown over the building
and a chase around it like the game called Fox and Geese), Hide and
Seek, Skip Rope, and the Campbell version of baseball. Everyone has
the opportunity to participate, regardless of age or size. It was fun.
There was never a fatality and few injuries.
The fall term in southern country schools started after the first round
of cotton picking. Even a six year old was expected to pick his weight
in cotton each day; so, school could wait. The teacher was principal,
counselor, disciplinarian, secretary, nurse, custodian, ad infinitum.
She (always a young woman) boarded with a family in the school
district. I recall that two times a teacher boarded in our little home.
Students were within hearing range of the lessons being taught in
other grades, so they could listen in. I suppose that is how I was able
to learn what the second graders were being taught; anyway, at the
beginning of my second school year I was assigned to the third
grade.. I was in the fourth grade during my third year, which was the
final year for Campbell School. After this, I enrolled in Cordova
School as a fifth grade student. After the Christmas Holidays I was
promoted to the sixth grade along with a few others, including twins
James and John Pittman (both of whom became attorneys in
Rockingham.) The promotions led to the situation whereby I was a
high school student at age ten. At age twelve the courses I studied
were: English Literature, Elementary Chemistry, Plane Geometry,
First Year French, and Third Year Latin--translating Cicero's
Orations from Latin to English.
Despite having to share a teacher and much or the school day,
small-school students received a good elementary education, I
believe. Three other children in my family, all older than I, attended
the school. All four of us did well in high school, as well as in other
activities in life. (My sister, Oakley, was one ot the brightest and
smartest persons I have known. Sister Ella May and Brother Daniel E
were well prepared for life in this world of God's. I like to think I was,
too.) Alas, the one room school is no more, but the mission assigned
to it has been accomplished, and I am grateful for its benefits. I pray
that I am deserving.
Grady Campbell
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