In an earlier column, I mistakenly identified the school where Mr. Ermal Ballard hit two home runs as the Highland View School. Please let me set the record straight. The school was named Island View School, so named for the view of Buckingham Island in the French Broad River, which can be seen across Boyd’s Creek Highway from the school.
Island View came into being in 1895 when landowners William and Penelope Widner sold a two-acre tract to the Trustees for $34.00. Soon after, a school was built and classes began. The building accommodated two groups of students of all grades; however, it appears as though one teacher taught all the grades Some of the early teachers were; A.L. Clabough 1907-1908; Filmore W. McMahan 1908-1909; Laurie Henderson 1909-1910; Edna Blalock 1914-1915; Eleanor Brabson; 1921-1923.
In the fall of 1917, a tornado toppled the building on to its side. In December 1918, A.J. King supplied materials for a new school for a sum of $558.92. In 1919, new desks were purchased for $121.40 and new maps and charts were bought for $24.47. Today, that entire amount is about what it takes for a parent to outfit one student for school.
In 1949, the opening of the new Boyd’s Creek School (today known as the Hardin Alternative Learning Center) signaled the end of classes at Island View. I spoke with two gentlemen who attended Island View in 1948, its last year. Mr. Shirrell Miller; seventh grade and Mr. Kelley Cannon; first grade. They spoke of there not being electricity or running water, and having to use the outhouse. Heat was by wood stove, water was pumped by hand, and on days when it was stormy and cloudy, they said you could hardly see the book you were reading.
The building is still standing, but showing it’s age in the peeled paint and graying wood siding. The rusting roof has a slight swayback and the bell tower is leaning. The tower held the bell, which when rung, sounded through the valley calling the students to class. The bell is no longer there, but I’m sure it can still be heard in the memories of those Island View students still living. I tried to get a list of students from the Sevier County School office, but was told that I could not look at the registry books because they contained the student’s grades. So, if anyone who attended Island View School has any secrets, they can rest assured that they are safe.
By the way, does anyone know where the school bell is today?

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