(Cavendish, Its History, Its People, page 178).

Information concerning the school is recorded in the Annual Visitation Reports of 1846. Edward Hill, of first class standing, was the teacher. Early records do not give evidence to the opening of the school. "Various oral records state that the school at the head of Hope River was open prior to 1830." (Cavendish, Its History, Its People, page 177).

Gertrude Pendergast wrote a family history, published in 1981. On page 1 of that book she states: "In 1830 Clement Cullen bought a farm of 125 acres adjoining the site of the first Hope River School." (A Good Time Was Had By All, Gertrude Pendergast, 1981 , page 1).

The late Earle Simpson agrees with the idea that the school was opened around the 1830's. "His father had started school in 1854 or 1855 in the original building and soon moved to the new school. The original school was being replaced not only because of its small size, but also because of its dilapidated state." (Cavendish, Its History, Its People, page 178).

Going by the report of 1846, and considering the time that Mr. Simpson's father started school, it really couldn't be possible that after nine years of operation, the school would be in a dilapidated state.

Annual Visitation Reports confirm Mr. Simpson's ideas to a greater extent. The 1855 report states, "Order fair - Examination creditable. New schoolhouse built since last visit, commodious and tolerably furnished with the necessary apparatus. Signed John M. Stark, Inspector of Schools.” Thus Mr. Simpson's father likely started school in 1854 in the original structure and moved to the new school in 1855.. The new school was the last schoolhouse to be built in Hope River.

The 1860 to 1861 Annual Visitation Report indicates that "The schoolhouse is small but neatly furnished." J. Arbuckle, Inspector of Schools. Because the schoolhouse was small, "The Cullen family records indicate that Timothy Cullen constructed an addition to the former build— ing around the 1880 to 1890 period." (Cavendish, Its History, Its People, page 178).

"Renovations were made to the school again in 1954. The school was raised, new sills were installed and it was lowered onto a cement block foundation. By the autumn of 1958 electrical wiring was installed and the ceiling was lowered.

In the autumn of 1968, Hope River School District joined Cavendish Consolidated School District. The land and building were sold to John Toombs in Mayfield. Mr. Toombs used the building for hay storage for

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