Corning School

The first era of public school education began in Corning in 1877 when school District Number Eight was set up and the plot of ground between Pine and Olive, West of Fourth Street, was selected as the site for a one-room, one teacher schoolhouse.  The site was a wooded knoll and pioneer students enjoyed a tree-shaded campus that doubled in the Summer vacation period for the annual July 4th picnic and other community activities.

From this beginning, the school was gradually expanded to a four room, four teacher institution at the turn of the century.

The second era began in 1902 when a three-year High School was added to the curriculum, the first class graduating in 1904.  In 1913 the course of study was extended to four years and the full scale High school graduated its first class under the superintendency of Harvey Haley, a prominent Arkansas education [sic].  This picture of the old brick was made following the fire of the 1940's [sic]. 

Postmarked Corning, ARK., July 22, 1912.  “Corning High School, Corning, ARK.”  Dorlene Arnold estate.  (Daniel E. Moore).

This enormously imposing structure burned in 1941.

Corning High School, Corning, AR.  West side of Fourth Street between Pine and Olive Streets.  “High School, Corning, ARK., Scene of some of my amateur triumphs.” “Corning School exact date unknown, from postcard, card had 1 cent stamp, date unreadable, maybe 1920.”  (Marty Fowler).

Corning School Burns; Loss Placed at $70,000

From the Clay County Courier:

Corning public school building was destroyed by fire last Monday morning with a loss estimated at $70,000.  Insurance carried was only $16,000.

The fire, believed to have been started from a defective flue, was discovered about 7:30 a.m. and rapidly spread over the entire upper story.

The Corning fire department [sic] responded quickly, but the blaze had gained such headway that little could be done, except to slow the advance of the fire to a west wing, which finally was consumed.

Volunteers saved books from several grades on the first floor, but all equipment and books on the second floor were lost, including all typewriters and adding machines in the Commercial Department.

The building was constructed in 1900 and a wing was added in 1928.  Many students from outlying districts attend Corning school.  Several districts were recently annexed by Corning district and others are planning immediate consolidation.

To Complete Term

A mass meeting, attended by a large number of citizens of Corning and outlying districts, was held Tuesday night in the gymnasium, when plans were worked out with Corning school board to complete the school year and arrange for suitable places to conduct classes at the following buildings:

First Grade - Oliver law office building.

Second Grade - Methodist Church.

Third Grade - Room over State Theatre.

Fourth Grade - Civic Club Rooms.

Fifth and Sixth Grades - Courthouse.

Seventh and Eights Grades and High School - Gymnasium, Methodist and Baptist Churches.

Commercial Department - Second floor, Corning Bank building.  Ten new typewriters have been purchased.

All arrangements have been completed to resume school next Monday morning at the places designated.

The Agricultural Department will continue at the gymnasium.

The Defense Class in Carpentry will be taught by M. O. Thomas, Science instructor, at the gym after class hours.  All students between the ages of 17 and 25, not in school, are requested to report to Mr. Thomas immediately.

All high school students will be permitted to exchange books when convenient to save the cost of buying new books.

All Grade School students will be supplied with new textbooks free.   The state carried insurance on grade school books and same will be replaced immediately.

The Methodist Church bell will be used to convene and dismiss school at usual hours.

Superintendent Silas D. Snow and the school board requests us to thank local citizens for their wonderful cooperation and help in resuming the school work immediately with only a week's loss of time.  Anyone having odd tables and chairs are requested to notify Superintendent Snow at once.

To Rebuild Modern Structure

Most of the school districts of the Western District were represented at the mass meeting Tuesday night when an appeal was made to take action on the proposed reorganization and consolidation, in order that the school board would know what size school building to plan.  It was suggested that the various districts call community meetings within ten days and get reaction to the proposed reorganization plan.

Submitted by Danny Moore