WALLER ELEMENTARY HISTORY
How old is Youngstown? Where did the name come from? Ed and Fletcher Span had a turpentine still on the creek behind the school, (Little Bear Creek) about 1/2 mile downstream. Ed and Fletcher sold the turpentine still to Mr. Young in 1905. Up until 1908 Youngstown was known as Lawrence, then on October 6, 1908, the name was changed to Youngstown.
The first school in Youngstown, a one room structure, was built about 1908 just east of the railroad. Schools from 1900 until the 1940's were scattered in various small communities such as: Bennett, Cairo, Fountain, Sweetwater and Youngstown. In 1920 a new school was built but it burned in 1940.
In 1922, a Mr. Majors took over the teaching duties and running of the school when Principal-teacher, Mr. Redman, went to war. Under the direction of Mr. Majors, the children finished the 7th and 8th grade together. School hours were from 8:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. There was one hour for lunch and thirty minutes for recess.
The first consolidated school had two teachers. In 1945 it had grown to four teachers. After the school burned, classes were held in the Methodist Church until a new one was finished in 1950. In 1952, Youngstown school became Waller School when Bill Waller donated the land for the school. The school was expanded to six classrooms, library and lunchroom in 1958. Continued growth of population in the area prompted the School Board to erect several temporary buildings. In the 1974-75 school year, five additional classrooms, a media center, teacher work room, health room, audio-media storage and bathroom facilities were added and the lunchroom was expanded. Other additions were made to the school in the 1979-80 school year. Expansions continued in the 1990's and in 2000, the new office complex and additional classrooms have been added.
Waller Elementary is located on an attractive ten acre site across the road from the Youngstown Cemetary. We are proud of our school and the accomplishments and struggles that it has withstood through the years. Waller Elementary School is now an A school, thank you parents, teachers, and staff for making Waller Elementary a school that future generations will be proud to say "Go Wildcats!"
SPECIAL NOTE:
Over the years there have been many teachers, preachers, justices of the peace, bus drivers and constables who have contributed to the history of Waller Elementary and the Town of Youngstown, we would like to say a very special thank you to them. Listed below are the early pioneers:
Justice of the Peace
Youngstown - D.F. Parker
Youngstown 1949 - F.C. Davis
Contstable
1949- Ted Crooms
Teachers
Ruby Nixon
Mrs. Dan Roache
Nita Ellerbee
Mr. Majors
Curtis Ellerbee
Ms. Eddins
Mrs. Helen Veal
Hortence Lee Hood
Samuela Thomas
Dale Davis
Mr. Redman, Principal
Jesse Barlow
Ida Mae Barlow
Bus Drivers
L.M. Ross
Ira Infinger
Gladys Lee Cobb
Alma Thurman Love
Shirley Winset
Preachers - Baptist
Rev. Hinton
Rev. Monk
Billy Bryan
E.H.S. Bell
W.H. Conley
Rev. Arnsperger
Rev. Kervin
Don Davis
Bob Beene
Nathan Beene
Ray Monneyham
Preachers - Methodist
A Rev. Baldwin came to the church only twice each month to offer Sunday Services.
WALLER TIME LINE
Before 1950 Youngstown one-room school.
1950 School at present site.
1952 Renamed Waller School
1974-75 Addition to lunchroom, media center, 5 classsrooms and 2 bathrooms.
1980 State portables arrives (6th grade then, 4th grade).
1982 Primary annex completed.
1983 Main office area built.
1993 Health room build.
1994 4th grade portable and 2 smaller portables moved for cafeteria const.
1994 Parent Center arrives.
1996 New lunchroom built.
1997 P.E. pavilion became history.
1997 8 portables moved for construction of new building.
1998 Renovated old cafeteria for Art, Music and Quest.
1999 New classroom building completed.
1999 New P.E. pavilion completed.
1999 Farewell 4th grade portable.
2000 New office complex and additional classroom building.