Hague District Schools

There were eight schools in Hague prior to 1926: 

District No. 1: Hague Village 

District No. 2: Split Rock

District No. 3: West Hague

District No. 4: Graphite

District No. 5: Sabbath Day

District No. 6: New Hague

District No. 7: Wardsboro

District No. 8: Battle Hill

Generally, there were two 8-week terms, one in winter and one in summer. In-between terms, children were needed for work on the farm. Later the terms were extended to 14-week terms. In 1850 it was voted to extend the school year to eight months. 

According to Sonny West, a school district was created whenever there were a number of children, about 30, to fill a one-room schoolhouse. The first, Hague Village, was founded in 1813 and moved several times.

In 1850, the Hague Village School building was built for $185. It was across from the Union church (near today’s Fire Department building). In 1879, it contained 65 children, ages 5-12. Later it moved to just above today’s Community Center. You can see the spot if you stand in the parking lot; it’s up the hill overlooking the basketball court. 

July 15, 1909, Ticonderoga Sentinel: Bids for Constructing New School House at Hague

Sealed proposals will be received by the undersigned trustee of school district No. 1 of the town of Hague, Warren County, New York, for the erection of the proposed new school building in said district, from this date until July 29, 1909, at eight o’clock in the evening, at which time the bids will be opened at the town hall in the town of Hague.

Bernard A. Clifton, Sole trustee, School District No 1, Town of Hague, Warren County, NY

District 2—Split Rock

We are very lucky to have a first-hand account of the school at Split Rock. Dorothy W. Goodfellow, in her book Growing Up Wild, devotes a chapter to her experiences at school.

“The school was near the foot of Split Rock. You can still see the foundation; it’s the first property on the right as you go up the hill. It was a white, square building, with a hip roof and many windows. 

A single enamel cup for the use of everyone sat on the bench beside the pail. We children had collapsible metal cups in our lunch boxes, but we all used the water in that pail. I never heard of anyone’s having typhoid. I wonder why. In fact, the only childhood disease we had while attending District No. 2 was chicken pox.”

District 3—West Hague

West Hague District No. 3 came into being in 1812 and covered the geographical area between the West Hague Road and Route 8 and from the road on which the sanitary landfill (Summit Drive) is now located down to a line drawn from the May’s home (300 New Hague Road) on Route 8 to the Leon Wells home on West Hague Road (Robinson’s house). The first record of state aid for education was in 1870 when $70 was allocated for the district.

Over the years, District No 3 School must have been located in several places. It was at one time in a log house near George May’s house, on New Hague Road. Once there was a school along Tannery Brook, which is coming down Summit Drive on the right. Before 1900, at least three buildings used as schools had been burned. These were located on the De Larm turn (Summit to New Hague). The last time this happened was in 1918. Suspicion pointed to an illiterate neighbor who did not want his children to go to school.

District 4--Graphite

The Graphite School had two rooms, two teachers, and 60 scholars. 

October 1, 1914, Ticonderoga Sentinel: Miss Eloise Galusha, teacher in the New Hague School, accompanied by the teacher of West Hague School, were visitors of Miss Bradley, teacher of the Graphite School, Saturday evening.

District 5—Sabbath Day

According to Sonny West, “although school sessions started began at nine, students often arrived to play call or coast, soon after eight. There was a full hour at noon and recess twice a day. All games were coed with the girls just as rough as the guys. All grades played the same games together.

Wilfed Ross said, “All the district schools were places where we gathered for social functions ranging from meetings to excellent Christmas programs sponsored by the teachers and pupils. It was enjoyable work for weeks in advance to prepare the music and make Christmas decorations, learn parts of plays, find suitable evergreen trees and decorate our schools and churches.”

District 6-New Hague

November 05, 1891, Ticonderoga Sentinel: There are fifty scholars (written scholars) in the New Hague School District #6 attending school. Albert Dolbeck handles the rule.

October 31, 1901, Ticonderoga Sentinel: One of the schools in New Hague has been closed on account of a number of cases of diphtheria. Miss Carpenter, the teacher, has gone to her home in Moriah until the disease has abated.

February 15, 1912, Ticonderoga Sentinel: Miss Goldie Trombley, teacher in the New Hague School, is going to give a box party at Harley Blanchard’s for the benefit of her school, Tuesday evening, February 20th. All are cordially invited.

We lack any information on Districts 7 (Wardsboro) and 8 (Battle Hill). Please contact us if you know anything about them!