The history of any town or community centers around it's churches, it's schools and it's business places. No community can function long without all three. The ministers and teachers have a lasting influence on the lives of each generation. Our growing-up experiences shape our lives and are reflected in the pride we feel for our town. This articles tells some of the history of Eagleville's schools.

A log structure built in 1862 about one block east of the present square was the first schoolhouse in Eagleville. It was also where most religious services were first held and was open to all denominations. The seats were made of log slabs with holes bored in the slabs and wooden pins inserted for legs. There was no equipment of any kind except sometimes a blackboard & chalk. School was held about three months in the year.

Teachers were paid $25 to $30 per month, but did usually receive free room & board with the district patrons. The teacher stayed one week with each patron, and started around again if there were not as many homes as there were weeks in the school year.

The Eagleville Independent School District was formed in 1869 after the 1865 Missouri Constitution gave towns the privilege of organizing for school purposes with six directors. The election for organizing a school district carried 16 to 0. The first school tax assessment was 100 cents on the $100 valuation. School buildings were any vacant building in town that could be rented.

Teachers had much to do in those days. They stoked fires, carried ashes, cleaned the schoolroom and the outhouse, scooped snow, carried water, exacted disipline. And they taught eight grades in one small room.

Punishment was severe. Joanna Dale who was born in 1849 wrote: "I remember our first teacher read a chapter from the Bible each morning. Our schools then were poor. So many rules! One rule was not to tarry or play on the road to or from school. We had some Sweeten children whose mother was sick. One of the little boys named Taylor was late many mornings, which caused him to get a whipping every time. I often wept when I saw blood coming through his shirt."

In 1872 bonds in the amount of $3200 in denominations of $800 each were issued and a two-story brick building was erected two blocks south of Eagleville's public square. This building served until 1916 when more room was needed. A $5000 bond issue carried and a two-store north wing was added.

School was not compulsory in the 19th century, and only grades 1-8 were taught in most rural areas. Older boys & girls had to help earn a living and could not afford to spend much time attending school. The school year was usually divided into two terms: A winter term beginning in Octorber and a short term in the spring. The younger children usually attended the spring term.

Students attended school as they found the time or as they had the desire. Most did not start until the age of eight, and some attended through the age of 19. Most did not complete the eighth grade. Eagleville's first "graduating class" was honored in 1899, and only five girls were in it. Often pupils were older than the teacher.

One year a Mr. Lewis from Iowa taught what he called High School. Greek, Latin and Astronomy courses were offered. He went to Leon, Iowa the next year and some Eagleville pupils went there to continue their studies under him.

A ninth grade course was given at Eagleville from 1900-1906. Seventeen students graduated from the 9th grade in 1906 (13 were boys). The following year three of the boys returned to take the new 10th grade course. A portion of a third year of high school was offered from 1916 to 1918 when a full three-year course was given. A four-year high school was formed in 1920 when voters approved a consolidation proposal for Eagleville and surrounding communities. The 1921 class was the first four-year High School graduating class.

Information for this article about Eagleville's history was taken from Elsie Herron's book, Eagleville Memories, and from school records........By Jane Smith

One Of The Early Graduating Classes of Eagleville School

More Eagleville School History Later.