Valley Girl Views: The Dewart Academy 1859-1919

The Dewart Academy

Built 1859

Destroyed by "Cyclone" (Tornado) on May 21 1919

In 1848, a farmer by the name of Robert Russell gave to Dewart an acre of land on which to build a school. A two story brick building, named the Dewart Academy, was built on the land. Students came from miles around to attend this school.

The building was destroyed in 1919, when it was struck by a tornado.

All of the students had huddled in one corner of the building, on the first floor, and none were hurt.

The Dewart Academy (High School) With the Bell Tower Added

Read more about the tornado here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-tornado-ripped-through-our-valley.html

March 1909

The Dewart Academy 1859-1919

Unknown Year

Ellie Nye Teacher

1896

Edward B. Truckenmiller, Teacher
Front Row L-R: Wm Elmer Metzger, John Nicely, Forrest Ruckle, Jake Nicholas, Harry Beaver
2nd Row, L-R Bertha Barto , Josie Nicely, Hester Russell, Low Stewart, Lula Dieffenbach (Confer), Sarah Russell, Esther Nicely, Carrie Nye
3rd Row, L-R - Billy Nye, John Harley, Russell Nicely, EB Truckenmiler, Norman Beaver, Ralph Nicely, Russell Everhart

Same photo as above, labeled by Kathi Wertman

Unknown Year

1st Row L-R

John Harley (Dr), ?, Charles Stahl, Martha Nicely Dateman, ?, James Bryson

2nd Row L-R

Robert De Ormond, Grace Nicely, Billy Nye, Josie Nicely, Ralph Nicely, Carrie Nye, Leigh Nicely, ?

3rd Row L-R

Jane Nicholas, John Nicely, ??????

4th Row L-R

Mary Bryson (Koch) Mae Follmer (Kramer) Hester Russell, E.B. Truckenmiller (Teacher), Sally Oakes, Kathryn Confer, ?

Top Row L-R

Verna Confer, Sarah Russell, Lulu Dieffenbach (Confer) ?

=====================

From Left To right Emily A. Lose, John D. Hartman, Mary H. Ravers, Sadie M. Winters, E. Earl Winters, Ruth F. Nicely, Lottie M. Bernstock, (Teacher) E.B. Truckenmiller

1909

Prof. Bruce Bloom, Teacher
Front Row L-R Martha Sherman, John Metzgar, Esther Shroat, Ruth High, Leonore Dietrick, Helen Riffel, Charles Metzgar, Donald Harding

Second Row: Lester Fairchild, Ruth Huffman, Florence Leech, Margaret Kuhn, Helen Kilgus, Helen Leech, James Frederick

Third Row - Stanley Nicholas, Sarah Gray, Margaret Gray, Minnie Deitrick, Martha Burrows