In 1863, West Virginia’s first constitution created a free public school system. Counties were divided into smaller areas to manage schools locally, leading to many one-room schoolhouses (pictured) across the state.

They had names like Hickory Grove and Lost Creek and were usually within walking distance for students. The buildings were simple, with wood frames, tin roofs, outdoor toilets, and a potbelly stove.

Teachers taught all grades (1–8) in one room and also acted as the principal, janitor, and nurse. They used basic supplies such as slates and old textbooks, and students helped one another learn. The day started with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and patriotic songs, followed by group lessons and outdoor games at recess.

West Virginia’s school year grew from 2.7 months in 1865 to 4.1 months in 1870, when there were 2,257 schools with 2,405 teachers, including 641 women. Of the 495 new schools built in 1870, 260 were made of logs. The state had more than 4,500 one-room schools by the early 1930s, although most had closed by the 1950s, with only a few staying open longer. One of the last, Auburn School, closed in 1978. Some of the buildings still exist today, and a museum in Huntington helps preserve their history.