A Brief History of Aurelian Springs School

So far as we have been able to tell, the first school building erected in the Aurelian Springs community was a one-room log building, just east of what is now highway 48 on the Darlington Road. This building was in use in 1882.So far as we have been able to tell, the first school building erected in the Aurelian Springs community was a one-room log building, just east of what is now highway 48 on the Darlington Road. This building was in use in 1882.

ln 1884, the school was moved to a one room log building south of where Tabor Church is now located, but before the end of the term the school was moved to a one room frame store building, west of highway 48, just in front of the present Tabor Church. This store building was owned by Mr. W. T. Jenkins. ln ‘1908 due to the efforts of Mr. A. E. Carter, a localschool committeeman, and Dr. A. L. Harrison county superintendent, a three-room building was erected where the principal’s house now is located. The same year the state legislature passed a law that stated if the local community raised $250 the school could be operated.

ln 1908 an election was called to vote on this method of running a school, but the election failed that year and the following year also.

ln 1922 during the superintendency of Mr. Acrees, a meeting was held at Brinkleyville with Mr. Acrees presiding to determine whether a high school should be located at Brinkleyville or continued at Aurelian Springs. This meeting was held due to the high school at Aurelian Springs had only four students enrolled. Mr. Acrees and Miss Cherry, the county supervisor, were in favor of establishing the school at Brinkleyville but due to the lack of interest by the people of Brinkleyville and to the efforts of Mr. C. L. Kelly, Mr. Ed Liles and others, it was determined that the high school continue at Aurelian Springs. At this meeting the County Commissioners were requested to call an election for a special schooltax to supporlthis high school. The request was granted and the election carried.

It was in 1922 that Mr. V. C. Matthews came to Aurelian Springs as principal and under the leadership of Mr. C. L. Kelly, Mr. Ed Liles, and Mr. Matthews;Aurelian Springs School began a period of rapid growth.

ln 1923 the wooden building was abandoned and a new brick building consisting of six rooms was erected on the present site and is still a part of the Aurelian Springs School.

Mr. Acrees, the county superintendent, said that Aurelian Springs School had plenty of room as they had built two rooms more than was needed.

When the school opened in the fall of 1923, Mr. Acrees found that he was mistaken for the schoolwas overrun with pupils, and was for several months before school commissioners learned about the tent. They then had four new rooms added and finished by the year 1924.

ln 1926 the principal’s home was completed

In 1930 an auditorium and additional rooms were added to the school plans

Since that time one other addition has been made to the original building.

During the depression years the community built a wooden gymnasium from lumber secured from school buildings that were consolidated with Aurelian Springs School.

In 1949 the present gym and lunchroom were added into the school plant.

ln 1950 the present agriculture building was remodeled from the old school cannery and a modern classroom and shop space were added.

ln 1955 a new primary building was erected consisting of three modern classrooms and also an addition was made to the number of acres owned by the school.

The following schools were consolidated with the Aurelian Springs School:
1924 Airlie
1926 Bear Swamp and Carter
1926 Hawkins Chapel
1932 Heathsville
1948 Darlington
1951 Hollister

Aurelian Springs School is and has always been a rural school, whose patrons come from a sturdy independent people, who own their own farms, and have always been interested in the growth and development of their school.