Blanton Schools
by Lora Blocker
The first Blanton school, built in 1884,
was located east of Blanton Lake. It was the first school built with lumber
in Hernando County. Some of the first teachers were: Mrs. Minerva Murphy,
Charles Copenhaver, Blackburn Wray, and Mrs. Edmund Blocker. Edmond O’Berry
was the substitute teacher.
In 1905, a large two-story school was
built on land donated by John O’Berry on what is now Sweetwater Road. Mr.
O’Hara was its first teacher. He later returned to Blanton and lived with
his family teaching there until about 1922. During that time Mrs. Buck
served as primary teacher.
Mrs. Maude O’Berry, the mother of Ila
Dowling, was the last teacher at the Blanton School. She taught until the
Blanton children were required to go to school in Dade City. Soon
afterwards, the school closed. Around 1963, the school building was torn
down due to decay. |
Blanton
School
House
1905
|
|
Left to Right:
Sitting on ground: Harry Blocker,Oscar
Blocker, Elmer O'Berry, Warren Dowling, Jack Dowling, Roy Blocker, unknown. Sitting:Mae Green, Emma
Bessenger, Sol O'Berry, Robert Small, Bruce Haycock, unknown, unknown, Winfred
O'Berry, Luther Green, Newell Mayo, Lillie Stone, small child, Lizzie O'Berry, O'Berry
infant, O'Berry boy, Conlly Green, Mattie Lou Mayo, Mrs. Hayes, Hayes child,
Mrs. Green, Green Baby. Third row: Muriel O'Berry, Hays girl,
Vernon Green, Hays, Brent Haycock, Mosel Howard. Fred O'Berry, Ethel Sloat,
Mr. OHara (principal), Ralph Bessenger, Mrs. Buck, primary teacher.
|
Blanton School 1905
Click to enlarge |
Right to Left Front Row:
Walstien Dutton, Frank Blocker, Norman Blocker, LeGrand Dutton, Kenneth
Ansley, John Ivery Page
Right to Left Back Row:
Joschiesus Geiger, teacher, Donnie Blocker, Jerald Sloat, Carl Dowling,
Robert Page, Herrmann Ansley, Harris Dutton, Gene Jordan
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1919
Blanton Boys Class |
Left to Right Front row:
Ruth Jordan, --Sloat, Donnie Chapman, Pauline Sloat, unknown, Grace
Jordan, Pearl Sloat, Myrtle Ellis
Left to Right back row:
Margaret Dowling, Hilda Ansley, Pearl Ellis, Fleta Blocker, Mattie Lou
Mayo, Edith Page, Newell Mayo, Cassie Page
|
1919
Blanton Girls Class |
