Members of the Wood County Historical Commission interviewed former students of the Fouke Common School. The interview session was part of a project to preserve the stories of the common schools that existed from 1884-1965 in Wood County.

“We want to preserve this chapter in Wood County history while former students can share their memories,” Jim Phillips said. Wood County Historical Commission members Joyce Williams, Sue Hamm and Phillips met former students of Fouke at the Fouke Community Center, which used to be the school. Joshua Pogue of County Road Film Company is the videographer for the project. 

From 1884-1965, there were over 70 common schools in Wood County. Some school districts were independent of city and county governments. However, most were common schools under the supervision of the county superintendent. J.U. Searcy was the first county superintendent and Ola Hyde was the last.

Former students of the Gilbreath, Caney, East Point, Concord, Hainesville, New Hope, Mt. Pisgah, Macedonia and Lone Grove schools have been interviewed. 

The last 12 of these schools were Lone Grove No. 2, Cartwright No. 5, Chalybeate No. 10, Stout No. 15, Crow No. 16, Lloyd (Coke) No. 17, Common Ridge No. 18, Pleasant Grove No. 25, Concord No. 32, New Hope No. 33, Cana No. 37, and Hainesville No. 40.

Some of the other common schools included Rock Hill, Vernon, Webster, Westbrook, Shady Grove, Stormville, McGee, Reinhardt, Gamblin, Salem, Ayer, Cottonwood, Bellefonte, Mill Spring, Lone Pine, Honey Creek, Liberty and Peach. 

Members of the Oral History and Archives Committee of the Wood County Historical Commission include Ulna McWhorter, David Gilbreath, Rosa Davis, Rita O’Hara, Williams, Hamm and Phillips. 

Anyone who attended a Wood County Common School or knows someone available to interview, please contact the Wood County Historical Commission at woodcountyhist@gmail.com for more information.