Belleville (rite) School
The Rite school was in existence at statehood in 1907 though the origins of the name are unclear at this time. Located less than a mile from the old town of Petersburg the school accommodated children living on the west end of the Flat. According to Petersburg resident Ruffin Longest, when he attended the Rite school during the early 19teens the school building was located on the north side of highway 32 at the current Jefferson/Love county line.
The town of Belleville came into existence around 1910 located approximately two miles east of the school. The Rite school gradually took on the name of Belleville School. In 1917 a new school building was constructed for the Belleville (Rite) School located one mile south on the southeast corner of the section line and the current county line road. The school served the community until 1928 after which the Belleville (Rite) school became part of the Courtney Consolidated Schools.
The photo below dated 1916 pictures the students at the "old" building and location. on highway 32.
The town of Belleville came into existence around 1910 located approximately two miles east of the school. The Rite school gradually took on the name of Belleville School. In 1917 a new school building was constructed for the Belleville (Rite) School located one mile south on the southeast corner of the section line and the current county line road. The school served the community until 1928 after which the Belleville (Rite) school became part of the Courtney Consolidated Schools.
The photo below dated 1916 pictures the students at the "old" building and location. on highway 32.
Belleville School 1916. Front Row: unknown, Loyd Anderson, Johnny Harkins, Clearance McCarty, possibly Sky Mercer ?, unknown, Thelma Holt?, ? Anderson, Thelma Bradley ?, Mary Butler, Ruth Horn ?, Alice Woods, Nellie Doole ?. 2nd Row: (on knees 2 boys and 3 girls): Emmit Westmoreland, unknown, Ola Ellis, unknown, unknown. 3rd Row: (standing far left) possibly Arnold Goddard, possibly Maggie Goddard, unknown, Ruby Faulkner, Audrey Holt, unknown, unknown, unknown, Evie Doole, Cloma Butler, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown. Far Right, 4 girls behind 3rd Row: (white bow) Lillie Harkins, unknown, Osie Goodman, Magnolia Mullins. Boy behind 4 girls; unknown. 4th Row: (boy with bow tie): Dan Woods, unknown, Plumis Black, unknown, possibly Coleman Woods, Ruth Flinn, unknown, Dock Butler, Gladys Holt. Top Row: Charlie Wells, Eldon Singleton, Joe Bradley, Fines Black, unknown, Mr. Nay Towery, unknown, Pat ??, Dubert Black, Ed Westmoreland, Mae Nunn, Lilas Mullins. Photo of P.D.Black
Belleville School 8th grade Graduating Class of 1923
L to R: Etta or Bessie Brandon, Edith Wiliams, Willie Mae Williams, Eva Williams, Ruby Watkins, Alice Young, Adra Welch,
unknown boy in background, Charlsie Baxley, Ola Ellis, and Eldon Singleton. A Charlsie Baxley Carnahan photo.
L to R: Etta or Bessie Brandon, Edith Wiliams, Willie Mae Williams, Eva Williams, Ruby Watkins, Alice Young, Adra Welch,
unknown boy in background, Charlsie Baxley, Ola Ellis, and Eldon Singleton. A Charlsie Baxley Carnahan photo.
Belleville School 1928, the last year before becoming part of the larger Courtney Consolidated Schools in 1929. The photo captures the school children near the southeast corner of the school building. Local residents appear to be putting in the storm cellar in the background which remains today. In the distance upper left is the home of Mike and Mattie Bourland. Beside the Bourland home and just out of photo sight was the home of Jesse and Julie Black. During WWII the old school bell was sold for scrap metal by Jim Pinnick in support of the war effort.
1st Row: unknown, Loyd Thomas, unknown, Elmond Thomas, unknown, Jack Baxley, Clifford Baxley, unknown, Ray MacEntire, Elmer Brandon ?, unknown, Tiny Singleton, Virgie MacEntire, Aslee MacEntire (barely visible), Cleo Banks, Ruby Westmoreland, Celestine Howard, Jewell Strawn, “Goot” Westmoreland.
2nd Row: Mr. Reed (in black), unknown (in black), Lawrence McCarty, Alvis Pruitt, Loyd McCarty, unknown, Wayne Baxley, Ruth MacEntire, Edith Westmoreland, unknown, unknown, unknown, Floyd Brandon ?, unknown, unknown, Marie Baxley, unknown, unknown, Pauline Howard, unknown, teacher Ophie Reed.
3rd Row: Clearance McCarty, unknown, Virgil Mercer ?, unknown, Cecil Howard, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Etora Mercer, unknown (barely visible), unknown (picking nose). Far Back left, three men standing in front of horse: unknown, Huebert Spivey, unknown. Mr. Spivey’s horse Snowball. Far Back, three men left of outhouse: Audley Howard ?, unknown, Ed Williams.
Men in back row on right: Jim Pinnick, Nathan Banks, Ed Thomas, Henry Howard, Leo McCarty. Notice the home of Mike and Mattie Bourland in upper left distance. The Jesse and Julie Black home is out of sight to the left of the Bourland home.
Please contribute your photos of the Belleville school to our collection to preserve for future generations!
1st Row: unknown, Loyd Thomas, unknown, Elmond Thomas, unknown, Jack Baxley, Clifford Baxley, unknown, Ray MacEntire, Elmer Brandon ?, unknown, Tiny Singleton, Virgie MacEntire, Aslee MacEntire (barely visible), Cleo Banks, Ruby Westmoreland, Celestine Howard, Jewell Strawn, “Goot” Westmoreland.
2nd Row: Mr. Reed (in black), unknown (in black), Lawrence McCarty, Alvis Pruitt, Loyd McCarty, unknown, Wayne Baxley, Ruth MacEntire, Edith Westmoreland, unknown, unknown, unknown, Floyd Brandon ?, unknown, unknown, Marie Baxley, unknown, unknown, Pauline Howard, unknown, teacher Ophie Reed.
3rd Row: Clearance McCarty, unknown, Virgil Mercer ?, unknown, Cecil Howard, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Etora Mercer, unknown (barely visible), unknown (picking nose). Far Back left, three men standing in front of horse: unknown, Huebert Spivey, unknown. Mr. Spivey’s horse Snowball. Far Back, three men left of outhouse: Audley Howard ?, unknown, Ed Williams.
Men in back row on right: Jim Pinnick, Nathan Banks, Ed Thomas, Henry Howard, Leo McCarty. Notice the home of Mike and Mattie Bourland in upper left distance. The Jesse and Julie Black home is out of sight to the left of the Bourland home.
Please contribute your photos of the Belleville school to our collection to preserve for future generations!