2 Sep 2014
Now that Labor Day weekend has past, it is time for Cabarrus County students to settle into the new school year. Here we take a look at a brief overview of Cabarrus schools in the early 20th century.
The “North Carolina Year Book and Business Directory, 1904,” published by the News and Observer of Raleigh, listed 71 teachers in Cabarrus County for the year. It appears the many of the students attending school lived in Concord since 29 of the 71 teachers taught in Concord. Schools in the county included Mt. Pleasant, Bost’s Mill, Enochville, Gold Hill, Carriker, Glass, Georgeville, Clear Creek, Coddle and Flows.
Among the county school teachers were Miss Mabel Barrier, Miss Maggie McAllister, Robert L. Hartsell, Miss Anis Eudy, Miss Emma Lipe, Miss Ada Lentz, H. C. Cook, Miss Bessie Newell, Miss Maggie May Rogers, Miss Carrie Presson, Mrs. M. V. Pethel, Misses Cora and Ada Isenhour and W. T. Albright. Notice that all of the female teachers except one were single ladies. Teaching was not an occupation for married women, most of whom did not work away from home in those days.
The Year Book also listed several schools and academies by name: Rocky River High School, Georgeville High School, Sunderland Hall for Girls, Concord High School, Mrs. Erwin’s School for Children, Scotia Seminary, North Carolina College and Mont Amoena Seminary. As County Superintendent of Schools, C. E. Boger oversaw the operation of the county schools; the City Public Schools Superintendent for Concord was Walter Thompson.
“The North Carolina Year Books” contain many interesting facts about the state and its counties. They include lists of physicians and attorneys, ministers and churches, mills and markets, hotels and boarding houses. Digital listings are at Archive.org.
Courtesy of the Cabarrus Public Library, Lore Local History Room.