
The first school taught in the town section of Anson was opened in April of 1882 and closed in July of the same year. It was taught in the residence of R. M. Huie, which was located on the first lot south of the First Baptist Church. In 1956, the Johnny Moore Magnolia Station was located there. E. G. Jones, of St. Louis, Missouri, was the teacher. The next school was also taught by Mr. Jones, assisted by his wife, in their home, which was located near the Methodist Church. Unfortunately, no photos of this home could be found. The first school building was erected on Block 55, Lot 4, which in 1933 was a property of the Joe Grace Estate (Western Observer, May 1933). The decision to build this school was made at a mass meeting in the Buie Law office during the summer of 1883. Enough money was raised by public subscription to build one room. The Masonic Lodge agreed to build a room for their own use, to cover the building, and to furnish the lot. The structure was put up by volunteer labor, and Mr. Jones also taught this school. The drawing below comes from a 1947 issue of the Western Observer.