The date of the beginning of Harmony School is not known, but it was built on land owned by the Williams family at the site of the current Harmony Baptist Church. A Mr. Carter in the community owned a sawmill, so he donated lumber for the building. The structure had two rooms; a front door; a large pot-bellied, wood-burning heater; and a blackboard in each room. Members of the community, including Jesse Emanuel "Man" Carter, got together and bought desks. An outdoor restroom was built behind the school for the girls and one for the boys, across the road. An open well was used for water until a hand-pump was installed a few years later.

An early teacher was John Frank Mills who was there in 1913. Others included Hobson Williams and Levy Butler. Students entering the school in 1913 included Agnes Carter Wesley, Lula Henderson, Odis Goodson, Raymond Carter, Emmitt Carter, and Hub Carter. William Goodson began school in 1926. He recalled the following teachers: John A. Moon, Lora Sharpe, Madelyn Mills, and Kitty Moore.

School recreation included playing marbles, spinning tops, basketball and the game of "pat a cap." In it, there was a pitcher in the middle, a batter on each end, and all the others gathered around to catch the balls and earn points. They would then move up to their turn at bat.

A frequent form of punishment was for the student to have to stick his nose in a circle on the blackboard. This may have worked, but it seemed to provide some entertainment for the other students as well.

The school closed circa 1937-1938.

Words: 273

Submitted by: Peggy Wesley Chesteen, Rt. 2, Box 204 AE, Andalusia, AL 36420

Sources: Interviews with Agnes C. Wesley, William Goodson, Avis B. Hurst, and Lois M. Henderson.

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