ETOWAH INSTITUTE
Established 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church
"School opens August 1st, 1911 to March 24, 1912.
For further information address the principal. M. A. Matheson, Etowah N.C."
Established 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church
"School opens August 1st, 1911 to March 24, 1912.
For further information address the principal. M. A. Matheson, Etowah N.C."
Principal Matheson in front of the door.
Cover, Etowah Institute 1911.
The eleven page booklet ("Catalogue") provides details on the school's operation, location, and courses of study for grades one through ten. Includes several pages of business advertising in the back. Courtesy of Argyle Gash.
TRUSTEES
S. N. Merrill, S. B. Lance, J. W. Orr, J. T. Woodfin and C. O. English Associate Trustees: Rev. W. C. Matney, Rev. A. Graybeal, Rev. D. L. Earheardt, Rev. W. A. Patton, and Rev. M. A. Matheson. |
The Etowah Institute was one of many church-based schools and colleges established to broaden educational opportunities for children in western North Carolina. A reference to the Institute, one of many schools established by the Methodist Episcopal Church (North), appears in VanNoppen's, Western North Carolina Since the Civil War, p. 158: "Etowah Institue near Brevard;"
From the Etowah Institute booklet: "GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL" "The School is owned and controlled by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the county board of education of Henderson county [sic] has the privilege of having the public school taught in the building. The principal has had twelve years experience in teaching and will have able assistance to aid in teaching all the branches named in the Catalogue." 
Principal Rev. M. A. Matheson
More from the booklet:
"TUITION All pupils in the Etowah pubilc [sic] school district will be admitted to free tuition up to the Eighth grade for the first four months and then they will be subject to the plans of tuition according to grade. The first three, 1st, 2nd and third grades, will be 75 cents per month. 4th, 5th and 6th $1.00; 7th and 8th grades $1.25; 9th and 10th $1.50. The term will be eight months. LOCATION The school is located in the beautiful valley of the French Broad river near the Lake Toxaway Railroad, ten miles west of Hendersonville with an altitude of about 2000 feet. A healthful climate, also surrounded by a fine farming section and beautiful mountain scenery. Value of school and church property $2500.00. WHAT THE SCHOOL IS A high preparatory school of ten grades to fit our boys and girls for College and the businesss life and also to encourage neatness, morality and good citizenship. OPPORTUNITIES Methodist and Presbyterian churches, preaching twice a month and Sunday school each Sabbath. Prayer meeting Wednesday night, Library Society Friday night. BUILDING The building is situated on a campus of four and a half acres of land near the railroad station and postoffice [sic] with two nice recitation rooms well furnished with good desks and blackboards and otherwise arranged for the comfort of the pupils." Additional notes cover BOARD (ten dollars per month in private homes), SPECIAL (Normal Course offered for $3 extra), and COURSE OF STUDY by Grade, 1st - 10th. 
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First Grade
Graded Classics I Practical Drawing I Number Work Supplementary Stories |
Fourth Grade
Graded Classics IV A Spelling Book Practical Drawing IV Copy Book II Primary Arithmetic Elementary Geography Language Lessons I Supplementary Stories |
Tenth Grade
Third Year Latin Plain Geometry English Literature General History Supplementary Reading |