History of Bennett-Jackson County School

In February of the year 1917, our county schools were winding up their school year. This was an important day for the students, parents, and the community, as it was a day of gathering together and having an enjoyable day with friends and family. This article shares some information about Jackson School's end of year activities.

Many of the rural schools were named after the owner of the land that the building was located.

Some of our early one-room schools are more difficult to find information on than others. One of these schools was Jackson School, which was located near the entrance of Pond Road, which is off the Jackson School Road. 

Jackson School Road is located a short distance from the community of Mexico.

Mrs. Virginia "Tatty" Garnett Higgins recently shared some history of this area with me. She said the road known today as Pond Road used to continue on and come out on S.R. 902 close to Livingston Creek. This first old school was located approximated halfway between this area.

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When this school first came into existence it was called Bennett School, as the land was deeded to the district by W. B. and Susan Bennett in March of 1878, but was listed as the Jackson School District, as C. M. Jackson was also listed on the deed, and his children attended school there. 

At the time the school district consisted of parts of Crittenden, Caldwell and Lyon Counties and the deed was made in consideration of the advantages arising of having a school in or near the farm of the late J. F. Bennett, it consisted of three fourths of an acre lying between Dycusburg and Fredonia Road and C. M. Jackson Lane and West of where said Jackson's Lane intersects of said Road.

In some interesting old school information dated June 30, 1891 taken from the Teacher's Register and Report book shows that the Bennett school had a total enrollment of 46 students, 23 males and 23 females. The teacher was S.J. Koon.

The schoolhouse was a frame building, built in 1876. Condition was common, the value about $100.00. The dimensions were 30 feet long, 20 feet wide and 10 feet high. It had 1 door and 10 windows. Seating capacity was 60. It had no maps but did have blackboards, and it wasn't properly ventilated or properly heated. Also had no proper outbuildings. 

Sometime after this period of time the school was just known as Jackson School.

The Jackson school closed in the mid 1950's along with other small schools that were being consolidated.  The students at Jackson were sent to the Frances school.