Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Early Education

— Blowing Rock History Walk —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023

1. Early Education Marker

Inscription. The first Blowing Rock school was a log cabin located where the library now stands. Most of the early schools were “subscription-based” with students paying $1.50 for three months. Among the earliest schools were Sandy Flats (built by the Cones), Cool Springs, Silver Lake (Chetola), Possum Hollow, and Flat Top. One of the Flat Top teachers was Blanford B. Dougherty, who went on to found Watauga Academy (today's Appalachian State University). Among the most important of the early schools was Skyland Institute, founded in 1887 by Miss Emily Prudden. Skyland was part of the “missionary movement” that swept through the Southern Highlands. Mrs. Charles Carter founded our first library (Lend-A-Hand Library) on Main Street at the turn of the century. Her focus was on teaching young people to read. In 1937 citizens of Blowing Rock approached Caldwell County seeking annexation. This was a result of “the gross neglect of Blowing Rock schools by Watauga County.” The struggle between Blowing Rock and Watauga County continued for decades until 1955, when the State Board of Education dismissed the entire Watauga County Board of Education and appointed a new Board, chaired by Dr. Charles Davant of Blowing Rock. Thus the schools of Blowing Rock began a new era of progress and equality.

Caption: Miss Emily Prudden

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Erected by Blowing Rock Historical Society • Blowing Rock Village Foundation • Town of Blowing Rock.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 36° 8.024′ N, 81° 40.833′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. Marker can be reached from Lakeside Drive south of Clark Street. Marker is on the paved path around Mayview Lake in Broyhill Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 173 Lakeside Dr, Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Legion Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Tourism (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayview Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Ski Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); A Wet or Dry Town (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blue Ridge Parkway (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cone Estate and Family (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blowing Rock.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Prudden, Emily C. Emily C. Prudden, educator and missionary, established

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023

2. Early Education Marker

fifteen primary and secondary schools in western North Carolina in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (Michael Hill, Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, reposted by NCpedia, 1994) (Submitted on July 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Sandy Flat Missionary Baptist Church (PDF). Clippings of several newspaper articles about the church, which is housed in the former Sandy Flats School. (Wake Space, Wake Forest University) (Submitted on July 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Emily C. Prudden image. Click for full size.

from A Village Tapestry by Barry Buxton, Appalachian State University(2017) (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

3. Emily C. Prudden

She established Skyland Institute in 1887 and also started several other schools in western North Carolina, including in Brevard, Cedar Valley, Connelly Springs, Elk Park (one white, one Black), Lawndale, Lenoir, Mill Springs, Saluda and Tryon. Skyland Institute introduced the nine-month school term to the area and operated until 1912.

Sandy Flats School image. Click for full size.

Flat Top Manor blog via Tumblr (Public Domain)

4. Sandy Flats School

Moses and Bertha Cone built the school in 1908 for tenant families who lived on their Flat Top Manor estate. Two teachers taught 30 to 60 children in grades 1-8 in the two-room schoolhouse. It operated until 1928, when Blowing Rock schools were consolidated. The building then became Sandy Flats Baptist Church (now Sandy Flat Missionary Baptist Church), which still holds services in the former school building.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on July 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.