[mcdude]

from "The History of Alton Mountain" by Dana Lang

The Schoolhouses

As more and more families moved to Alton Mountain, it became clear that a schoolhouse was needed. The six mile trip to the village was too long and soon a school was established. At first a small building in the woods was used, but the mountain people felt that one was needed along the main road close to where most of the families lived at the time. And so a schoolhouse was built to the right of the corner gate on the left hand side of the road. Unfortunately by 1930 the schoolhouse was struck with tragedy when fire destroyed it.

The second schoolhouse was located to the left side of the corner gate, just before the Alton Mountain Cemetery on the right hand side of the road. The school was grades 1-8 and all were taught by one teacher. Dana Morse, who grew up on the mountain, can still remember when he attended the first grade at the school in 1931 with about 16 to 18 other children. Going to school was a thrill for the children because it meant they could interact with people their own age on a regular basis.

Upon finishing eighth grade the students either ended their education or made the long trip into the village once again to attend higher grades. In 1933 the school on Alton Mountain ended. Alton students still continued to educate themselves. Ms. Claence Dore, who was salutatorian of her class. Became the secretary for her two brothers who both later became governors of New Hampshire. Perhaps even more impressive is the story of Dr. Carroll Jones, one to the top psychiatrists in the country at the time who was asked to testify in the Lindbergh trial.