 Live
Oak School began in 1895 when the Reverend Joel Ott donated a plot of
ground (just across the highway from the present Live Oak Hardware), and
the citizens of the neighborhood built a one room schoolhouse about 20 x
25 feet. The room was built of cypress from trees of the Amite River
swamps and boasted of one front door and six open windows. Furnishings
included one ladder-back chair for the teacher, two long benches with
backrests for the younger students, and one large long desk with benches
on either side for the older students. This public school was open three
months of the year: June, July, and August. School enrollment was 25 or
30; with classes beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Students enjoyed
three recesses, with an hour for lunch at noon.
The first teacher was John Zachary Underwood, who later served as a parish
school superintendent. First grade teachers received $35 per month; second
grade teachers received $25 a month; third grade teachers received $15 a
month. The first graduation was on April 17, 1925, with one graduate,
Adele Fugler Fontenot.
At the turn of the century, the community realized the need for higher
education, and a two-story building was built beneath a large pin oak tree
just west of the old schoolhouse. Two teachers were employed at this
school. Unfortunately, after only two or three years, a tree demolished
the building during a small tornado.
 The school was rebuilt as a two-room building with a front porch. Other
rooms were later added. As the enrollment increased, two or more teachers
were required. At
this time, transportation was added to the school system, with the
horse-wagon (three or four of them) bringing children to and from school.
Soon another building was needed, and a plot of land was purchased at the
junction of Springfield and Old River roads. This building was a two-story
one, with classrooms and a home economics room. Later an auditorium was
added, along with other classrooms. A gym, which served as an auditorium,
was also added.
In
1973 the Live Oak School consisted of a high school with a principal, 29
teachers, and 525 students and an elementary school with a principal, 20
teachers, and 492 students.
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Wagon Transportation |
Lunch Ladies |
Elementary 1930-1950 |
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Primary Buildings and Lunch |
Home Economics |
Buses |
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Side Building |
1910
Basketball Team |
Lunch 1940-1950 |
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1910 Live Oak High School |
1908 Girls Basketball |
1910 Basketball Uniform |
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