Valley Girl Views: The Dewart School 1920-1981

The Dewart School

2665 Springtown Rd, Watsontown, PA 17777

The two story brick Dewart School was built in 1920, after a tornado destroyed the former building in 1919. See the Dewart Academy here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/one-room-school-dewart-academy-1859-1919.html

In 1943, the Dewart school board joined the Dewart Community Association in protesting the proposal to remove watchmen from the Main Street Crossing at Dewart. County Superintendent Charles Hilbish pointed out that it was "perhaps the most dangerous crossing traversed by school children in the county." School children west of the school crossed the tracks three times a day [3? That's what the article says - but wouldn't it have been 4 times? There, back for lunch, back to the school after lunch, then back home at the end of the day?] And school busses crossed the tracks morning and evening. Officials believed short arm gates would not provide adequate protection.

In June of 1951, contracts were issued to build "two new classrooms and toilet facilities" at the Dewart School. After the addition was made, the school had issues with not enough water being available for the new toilets and sinks, from the well drilled on the property

In January of 1954, it was reported that the new cafeteria in the school was expected to be put into operation the following month. The cafeteria at the Dewart school was the first in the West Branch Joint Schools, which included Watsontown, McEwensville and Delaware township.

The Students were each served a hot meal at noon, under the new program, which began in 1954.

186 elementary students attended the 6 room Dewart School in 1954

After the 8th Street School Fire in 1956, Watsontown and Dewart School Students each attended half days at the Dewart School, with the Dewart School children attending from 8:20 to 12:30, adn the first four grades of the former 8th street school attending an afternoon session from 12:45 to 5pm. 5th & 6th graders from the 8th street school attended classes in the basement of the lotheran church., with the 5th graders attending in the morning, and the 6th graders attending in the afternoon.

In 1977, the elementary school was cited by the Department of Labor as a "type 5" building - which meant safety standards prohibited use of the upper floors. The district applied for a variance, and it was granted for 4 years, provided that sprinklers systems were installed in the corriders and stair towers.

In February of 1978, additions were being added to both Watsontown and Turbotville Elementary, to accommodate the students from the Dewart School.

Photo taken by Ginny Wertman

The school was demolished in February of 1981. The floor boards, doors, wooden joists, and woodwork were first salvaged, and were used to construct an amish school along Rt 44 between Allenwood and Elimsport.

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