Clarks Gap

Opening and Closing

1890 (see history) - 1935/36.

Physical and Map Location

TBD

Petitions

April 1930.   Patrons living near Clark's Gap school pledged to send children to the 1930/31 session, provided they have a satisfactory school.  SOurce 2.5B Clark's Gap.

Transportation

Walking was a common method of school transportation even before the creation of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS).  It’s believed that students who lived within 3 miles of a school could walk from their home to school.  The figure at https://edwinwashingtonproject.org/s/ewp/item/72038 shows the location of the school with a circle representing the area from which students could have walked, back and forth from their home to the school.  Travel by horse was also used and could have extended the travel distance.

History

  • 1886/87: John W. Lacock was teacher. (given date, this would indicate that the oral tradition of 1890 for construction is in error).
  • 1906: a Union non-denominational Sunday School was run at the Clark's Gap school, but this service ended b y 1920.
  • 1914. The Clark's Gap Literary Society was started.
  • 1917, Dec 12. Emerick visited. (Emerick Journal, pg. 28)
  • When school was closed in 1935/36, students were hauled to Hamilton.
  • In 1920/21, student could not obtain text books at contract prices.

Instructors

  • Joshua Fletcher of Bluemont was the first instructor, according to Eugene Scheel.
  • 1886/87: John W. Lacock (given date, this would indicate that the oral tradition of 1890 for construction is in error).
  • 1887/90: Alice Beans
  • 1918/1920: Edna McPherson Carr. Carr is an interesting character. She lived in Leesburg and was born 30 July 1895.  When working at Clark’s Gap, she only had a high school degree, plus “one summer school.” She worked again for LCPS, but not until 1956/57, then at Sterling. According to the Teacher’s Record, in 1956 she only had 4 years and 4 months of experience. In 1919/20, she was also accredited with 4 years’ experience. See also study of 3.1.2 Journal of Oscar Emerick. Examination of pg. 1 of the journal.
  • 1920/22: Retie Cooksey. (born 1902) Age 19 in 1920/21. Had one year of schooling experience. Graduated from Leesburg High School. Had no college or normal school training, however, that changed in 1921/22 as she was listed as having attended the University of Virginia. Entire career was at Clark's Gap. Eugene Scheel's history show the school closed in 1922 only to open a few years later, but this is oral tradition. Official records show it operating.
  • 1922/23: Miss M.C. Compher. Age 23.  Had graduated from state normal at Fredericksburg. Teacher operated on a professional certificate.
  • 1923/24: Miss Janet D. Tavenner. Age 20.  Had attended Harrisonburg State Normal.
  • 1930/31.  Miss Lula Porterfield, who also instructed at Cool Spring. See Loudoun Times Mirror, 7 Aug 1930, pg. 1.
  • 1935/36. The last teachers were Willie Mae Fling (Clarence Ashby Fling's wife) and Irene Ashby.

Insurance and Physical Description

  • Built in 1890 as a 1 one room frame school for the cost of $500. Walls were made of weather board. 1886 Register described school as square, with no grounds attached. 1887 register described school as owned b y School District.
  • In 1920/21, heated by wood. State of repair was good. Toilet was sanitary in very good condition. the following year, was considered unsanitary but in very good condition. In 1922/23, toilets were listed as fair.
  • No flag on the front of the school.
  • Property was not enclosed.
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