From "To Loy's Crossroads" published by the Union County historical Society. -WGT
During the period when the Great Valley in East Tennessee was being settled, there was little time for schools and education. Indian troubles, clearing of land for growing crops, and the building of homes had first priority. Then, too, past experiences with the "schooled" and "educated" left long lasting unpleasant memories with most parents. Moreover, the establishment of schools for orphans of the War of 1812 soldiers were considered schools for paupers, and parents did not consider their children fell within that classification. A few schools were started before the Civil War but during the conflict, some of them were shut down and others burned.
The first schools were called academies. They were initiated to teach elementary subjects--the 3R's. A few schools fortunate enough to hire scholars as instructors, were capable of teaching secondary subjects--Greek, Latin, spelling, geography arid physiology. Academies were endowed by parents of students and did not receive any outside financial support. In later years; however, state support provided a term of six months, while parents paid teachers to extend the term to nine months.
Throughout World War I, the German's demonstration of advanced technology helped to stimulate more national interest in education. Tennessee joined in a national movement to provide comprehensive free public education by the mid-1920's. In 1925, Tennessee state government began to devote more attention to public schools, gradually increasing spending and stiffening requirements. Later, a general education law providing an eight months' school term was enacted. With the increased emphasis on education, many small one-room schools originated in communities as the population expanded. With new emphasis on education, parents were encouraged to seek better qualified teachers. Land for schools was either donated or sold to the school directors for a small sum.
Union County had a number of academies incorporated before the turn of the century: Witt's replaced by Hill's, Lost Creek, Sylvan, Liberty, Luttrell, Romines, and Loy's Cross Roads (See Loyston Academy).
Loy's Cross Roads Academy was organized in 1881 to teach the 3R's. Later, courses in geography and phisiology were added to the curriculum. Loy's Academy was a pay-school, and the total expenses were paid by parents. Many years were to pass before state funds supported the school for five months while parents paid the teacher's salary to extend the term to eight months.
An ad promoting Loy's Cross Roads Academy described the setting of the school, its accomodations, tuition, and class schedules for the year 1894-95, listing E. M. Craig as Principal with Franie B. Sharp as assistant. The ad read, "The school is situated at Loy's Cross Roads, Union County, in one of the most beautiful picturesque points in Big valley. It is free from allurements which characterize the schools of cities and towns and beckons to everyone who desires an academic or preparatory education." The notice assured students that, "instruction equals that of like grade is guaranteed with special attention given to debating and literary work in general. Good conduct and close application will be required by all."
Students at the academy obtained room and board from local families at five to six dollars a month. Tuition for the first and second grades was $1.00 a month, third and fourth grades $1.25, fifth grade $1.50, while the upper grades paid $2.00. The school term was divided into three sessions beginning on August 6, 1895, through March 1, 1895.
Monroe Stooksbury attended Loy's Cross Roads Academy and praised three of his outstanding teachers--Eugene Monroe, George Weaver, and Will Thomas. Stooksbury credited Thomas by saying, "He put his whole life into teaching and encouraged his students to pursue teaching as a career." Thomas was born in Virginia but was raised in Powell Valley. He became Union County school superintendent in 1921 and served in that capacity until 1928. During his tenure he visited each school in the county and sought advise of the experts in modernizing the educational system. When Thomas began as school superintendent, there was no high school in the county. Those who wished to attend high school had to go outside the county. Students from Loy's Cross Roads attended Andersonville High School in Anderson County. Under Thomas' leadership Horace Maynard High School was built in Maynardville in 1923. The first class of five students graduated in May, 1924. Will Thomas is called the "father of modernized education in Union County" and justly so. He took a great interest in the education of all students.
At first parents did not consider physical education in schools worthwhile; but Thomas encouraged sports as an outlet for excess energy and believed it taught students discipline and coordination. "Will Thomas introduced basketball at Loy's Cross Roads Academy," Stooksbury remembered. Before graduating from high school, Stooksbury became a teacher and introduced basketball at each school, often hosting pie-suppers to purchase equipment for the game.
The two-story building located near the Loyston Baptist Church that housed the Loyston Academy was abandoned in the early 1920's when Loyston Junior High School was built east of the cross-roads. The new school consisted of four rooms and an auditorium. Eugene D. Monroe who had taught at the academy a number of years, was the first principal of the new school.
Other schools established later in the neighborhood of the cross roads were good schools and produced scholars and educators. The Alumni Magazine of East Tennessee State University in an article, "Early Alumni Recall Singing for Better Schools," written by Jeff Bradford, Harvey Loy shared some of his early educational experiences with the author. Loy, who has reached a milestone in celebrating his 101 birthday (1988), grew up in Loy's Cross Roads and attended King's Chapel School before enrolling at East Tennessee State University (East Tennessee Normal School). While a student at ETSU, he and some of his fellow students were recruited by Professor Riley Haworth for a program to promote better schools in East Tennessee. During the summer of 1914, the program was hailed by the United States Bureau of Education as "the greatest educational campaign in America."
Prof. Haworth enlisted Loy and others from the Munsey Memorial Church choir where he was director, and students who played string instruments to sing praises of education in schools and churches in seven East Tennessee counties. Loy, a bass singer, and members of the Normal School quartet, recalled performing in groups while instructors from the University spoke at the gatherings. The entertainers were transported by a school-wagon pulled by draft animals contracted in advance from local farmers. Following the performance, students split into pairs for meals and lodgings with local families.
Loy recalled the poor condition of some schools they visited. "In one school," he said, "hogs were rutting and scratching under the floor." Following Loy's graduation in 1914, he distinquished himself as a teacher in a number of Union and Knox County schools before retiring at age seventy in 1958. Another important factor that encouraged parents to educate their children was the limited number of acres for farming. Large farms had been divided and sub-divided over the years until little land was available. Monroe Stooksbury's father knew the circumstances when he said, "I have nothing to leave you."
More and more people were involving themselves in educational programs, but there was always a shortage of funds in agricultural communities. The establishment of TVA and Norris Lake, as well as other New Deal agencies, had a major impact on education that greatly improved the school system in Union County. The Loy's town school along with twenty other Union County schools in the lake basin were removed. With the purchase of the schools and funds provided by government sponsored programs, twenty-six new schools were built in the county ranging from one-room to four-rooms.
For more information on this article or any article or publication of the Union County Historical Society please write them at:
Union County Historical Society
P.O. Box 95
Maynardville, TN 37807
Or
E-mail the Union County Historical
Society.
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