Back to School Back in the Day

There is not a backpack or a school bus in sight in some of the school photos from earlier days in Jefferson County, as seen in the collection of historical images collection of the Jefferson County Library.

There also were no worries about crowded hallways in the old buildings as many of them were one-room schools.

The old school photographs recently were made available by the Jefferson County Library as a way to spark interest in Jefferson County history. The photographs are being shared on Flickr, the popular photo-sharing service. The wide range of photographs offer a compelling look at how county residents lived and worked in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Currently, the collection features more than 300 photographs. They are arranged in sixty-eight sets. The images showcase the rich legacy of Jefferson County towns, schools, churches, organizations, and agricultural heritage.

“People enjoy viewing historical photos of their home town,” explained Christine Merseal, Genealogy Library Specialist of the Northwest Branch, in a news release from the library. ”Individuals have donated these photographs over the years to the library. Local historian Della Lang, has been a major contributor. She has donated wonderful images of the past. The library has also obtained photos from patrons who have one or two pictures of their ancestor in front of a one-room school house or a photograph of their family farm.”

The Special Collection at the Northwest Branch is seeking additional photographs to add to its online collection on Flickr. A signed release of any photograph donated is required. To donate, or for more information, contact Merseal at 636-677-8186 or at cmerseal@jeffcolib.org.