| The History of Mill Creek School: 1879 - 1979 The Board of Public Instruction, St. Johns County, records that: "Thomas A. Pacetti, Superintendent of Schools, St. Johns County, and Secretary to the Board, appointed to replace the late T. T. Russell, March 21, 1879. Members of the Board, B. F. Oliveros, president and chairman, W. J. Watkins, George H. Emery, and W. Hicks." The following is also from the superintendent's records: "April 30, 1879 -- Miss Mary Ludwig teacher School No. 7, Mill Creek, from January 1 to April 14, 1879. Three and a half months $70.00." And from the records of the Board of Public Instruction, St. Johns County: "September 3, 1879, Miss Mary Ludwig assigned School No. 7, Mill Creek, position as teacher subject to the approval of the board. 18 children." It is reasonable to assume from the above entries that Miss Mary Ludwig taught two terms at the new Mill Creek School. Since the first term started 1 January 1879, the building was probably constructed in 1878. The superintendent, in his End of the Year Report, describes the building in that era of school history as being built on land offered for use by the patrons. The patrons also cut the logs and constructed the building, which was a one room structure with a fireplace for warmth. Miss Leila V. Jones was appointed to teach on 26 November 1880. The trustees appointed were C. M. Solano, P. Solano, and Domingo Pacetti. Miss S. E. Relt was appointed to teach after Miss Jones. Unfortunately, there is a lapse in the records of all the schools in the county from 1881 to 1893. Mr. Douglas Hartley's office has never had records covering this period. It is known by descendants of students attending Mill Creek School during those years that Miss Leila Jones returned to teach several more terms. Miss Mellanee Rogero also taught several terms during this period. According to the superintendent's records of 1893, the first school was destroyed by fire. A second building was constructed about 1893, again by the patrons of Mill Creek. The second building was also one room and constructed of undressed siding. It was located near the Coxetter Grant, a short distance to the southwest of Pacetti Road near the Bob Lee Place and Landing, but still in Mill Creek. Teachers at the new school were: Miss Rita Leonardi, Mrs Susie Pacetti, "provided that her infant will not be taken to school," Miss M. L. Bawskett, Miss Leone Rood, Miss Julia Rogers, Miss M. L. Pooser, who taught several terms, and Miss Sherman, who was transferred from Switzerland to teach at Mill Creek. Francis E. Pacetti served as trustee for several years. One acre of land, located just to the south of the present school, was purchased from a Mrs. Hunter at Mill Creek in 1913. A one-room school of dressed siding was constructed on the site. The building was painted white and finished inside with horizontal ceiling, a wood-burning heater provided heat and there was a hand pump for water. A cloakroom and porch were added several years later. This building housed the school until 1928. Miss Maude Stephens was the first teacher of this 1914 school. Other teachers were: Miss Anita Simms, Mrs. Macey Pinkham Pacetti, Miss Rhoda O'Caine, Miss Evelyn Batey, Miss Floyce Moore, Miss Emily Banks, Mrs. Thelma Clanton Pacetti, and Mrs. Elsie Holiday Nessler. The first bus driver at Mill Creek school was E. E. Fisher. The bus was a Model T, and Mr. Fisher brought children from Hardwood to Mill Creek. Mrs. Louis (Susie) Pacetti was the first trustee of this school and served for several years. Fred Pacetti was appointed to succeed her and he also served for several years. One-room, one teacher schools were established in Moultrie, Fruit Cove, and Holy Branch about the same time as Mill Creek (1879). Schools of this type were established Sampson, Durbin, Switzerland, Julington Creek, Orangedale, Picolata, Bakersville and Trout Creek shortly thereafter. Land adjacent to the acre bought in 1913 was purchased by the County School Board in 1927. A wonderful event was about to take place in Mill Creek that would not only benefit people of this community, but all communities of northwestern and midwestern St. Johns County. In late 1927 and early 1928, a large red brick building was constructed at Mill Creek. It was the Mill Creek School, Consolidated. The consolidated school brought children from the various communities in the County together. From Picolata came the Klipstines, Kights, Arnolds, Robinsons, and Smiths. From Bakersville the Weedmans, Scaffs, Ashtons, Pacettis, and Colees. From Hard- wood the Causeys. From Sampson the Wilsons (a pioneer family in that com- munity), as well as the Pappys, Ortaguses, Masters, and DeRays. From Race Track Road near Bayard (formerly known as the Louis Ortagus Road) more Ortaguses. From Orangedale the Applers, Durdens and Burneys. From Switzerland the Roberts, Moremans, Churches, Falanas and Donahoos, all pioneer settlers from that area. The Mills and Tappan families also came from Switzerland. And from Mill Creek the Braddocks, Fishers, McBees, and more Pacettis. A new era in the history of Mill Creek School had begun. Mr. Robert B. Meserve was Superintendent of Schools at that time. The school consisted of six classrooms, teachers' lounge, principal's office, and spacious facilities for girls and boys. The cafeteria was added in 1952, and the library in 1960. The school now has thirteen classrooms, including five portables. The one-room school constructed in 1914 was moved closer to the consolidated school by Fred Pacetti and George Klipstine in the latter part of 1928. The building was used as a cafeteria and for 4-H Club activities for many years. The 1928-1928 faculty consisted of Mr. P. G. Cogburn as Principal, and the following teachers: Miss Wanda Sawyer, Mrs. Helen Godwin, Mrs. Lucille Nolan, Miss Effie Carter and Miss Alice Beasley. The first trustees of the new school were Mrs. Louis (Susie) Pacetti, Reginald Moreman, Sr. and E. B. Fisher. These trustees served for many years. The first school bus drivers were Mrs. Martha Ortagus, Mrs. Marie Ortagus and George Klipstine; Ralph Rouse was the first custodian. After Mr. Cogburn, those who served as principal are: Dwight L. Wilson, Robert W. Sawin, John S. Fish, E. R. Poppell, Mary Guilmartin, P. T. Molin, Robert May, John A. McCollough (who served longer than any other principal), J. H. Caldwell, O. C. Hayes, John D. Baggett, Sr., Fred Allen, Gwen Riechert, and the present principal, Roger Coffee. Teachers at the school since its consolidation are: Lynda Barnes Effie Greens Lucky Miller Ava Lou Sanchez Alice Beasley Landrum Evelyn Halyard Judy Loukes Wanda Sawyer Art Bocciere Ruth Hart Helen May Ken Seifert Evelyn Broudy Agnes Hatcher Mary Middlestadt Ruth Singletary Mary Brown Mabel Hersey Rhoda Neel Anne Smith Clair Butterfield Moi Lee Hinson Lucille Nolan Carol Solano Linda Carlson Marjorie Killebrew Barrett Tommie Lee Nolan Pauline Stevenson Effie Carter Bea King Marcia Norman Nancy Sweazy Sue Cosby Betty King Susan Olsen Nelann Sweeney Hewitt Elsie Estes Ethel Kennedy Thelma Pacetti Martha Wainwright Mickler Esther Ferrell Elsie LaBree Fleta Parrish Carolyn Taylor Robert Ford Joy Langston Patsy Phinney Rhonda Wages Gerald Gibson Frank Larkins Donna Pruett Hattie Wescott Vicki Gillis Mary Lou Lee Annie Rutledge Dorothy Wilson Helen Godwin Patricia Leonardi John Ryder Music Teachers: Bernice Erkelens, Effamae Foster, and Lucille Martin. Librarians: Anne Colee Bocceiri and Jean Chastain. |
| Mill Creek School 1879-1979 St. Johns County Public Schools |