Blanton

Blanton Schools

Blanton School House, 1905

This page is taken, with permission, from the former My Blanton web site, created by Marinell Davis.

By LORA BLOCKER

The first Blanton school, built in 1884, was located east of Blanton Lake. It was the first school built with lumber in Hernando County. Some of the first teachers were: Mrs. Minerva Murphy, Charles Copenhaver, Blackburn Wray, and Mrs. Edmund Blocker. Edmond O’Berry was the substitute teacher.

In 1905, a large two-story school was built on land donated by John O’Berry on what is now Sweetwater Road. Mr. O’Hara was its first teacher. He later returned to Blanton and lived with his family teaching there until about 1922. During that time Mrs. Buck served as primary teacher.

Mrs. Maude O’Berry, the mother of Ila Dowling, was the last teacher at the Blanton School. She taught until the Blanton children were required to go to school in Dade City. Soon afterwards, the school closed. Around 1963, the school building was torn down due to decay.

Blanton School, 1905. larger picture

Left to Right. Sitting on ground: Harry Blocker, Oscar Blocker, Elmer O’Berry, Warren Dowling, Jack Dowling, Roy Blocker, unknown. Sitting: Mae Green, Emma Bessenger, Sol O’Berry, Robert Small, Bruce Haycock, unknown, unknown, Winfred O’Berry, Luther Green, Newell Mayo, Lillie Stone, small child, Lizzie O’Berry, O’Berry infant, O’Berry boy, Conlly Green, Mattie Lou Mayo, Mrs. Hayes, Hayes child, Mrs. Green, Green Baby. Third row: Muriel O’Berry, Hays girl, Vernon Green, Hays, Brent Haycock, Mosel Howard. Fred O’Berry, Ethel Sloat, Mr. OHara (principal), Ralph Bessenger, Mrs. Buck, primary teacher.

Blanton boys class, 1919. Right to Left Front Row: Walstien Dutton, Frank Blocker, Norman Blocker, LeGrand Dutton, Kenneth Ansley, John Ivery Page Right to Left Back Row: Joschiesus Geiger, teacher, Donnie Blocker, Jerald Sloat, Carl Dowling, Robert Page, Herrmann Ansley, Harris Dutton, Gene Jordan

Blanton girls class, 1919. Left to Right. Front row: Ruth Jordan, –Sloat, Donnie Chapman, Pauline Sloat, unknown, Grace Jordan, Pearl Sloat, Myrtle Ellis Left to Right back row: Margaret Dowling, Hilda Ansley, Pearl Ellis, Fleta Blocker, Mattie Lou Mayo, Edith Page, Newell Mayo, Cassie Page

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