Hailey School House

In November 1884 the plot of land that would in time become home of the Hailey School house was purchased by William McKinney and Newton L. & Nancy Hailey. Nancy (McKinnley) Hailey was the daughter of William. The Hailey’s had purchased the land for a hundred dollars with the intention of creating a schoolhouse on the acre. Thus the name Hailey School came to be.

L.H. Taylor, J.C. Hutchens and Ira A. Williams visited the Hailey School in 1895 and together organized a Sunday School program. Rev. Smallwood would be appointed to preach. Teachers: Shade Wallen 1896, Charles W. Beaver 1896-97, Thomas Talbert 1902, Hazel Hailey multiple years around 1912, Ray Pierce 1925, Jerline Brooks 1941 and others to be found.

Over time, as a product of a massive school system in Jenks, Oklahoma I have realized that there truly was something vastly different and special about these small one or two-room schoolhouses. Students seemed to have more appreciation for the buildings, the education and the atmosphere of a learning environment. The following poem was written by a student in 1934:

Hailey School by Glen Phillips Grade 5-6

“At Hailey School we have one rule, and that rule is “Do right.” And that means not to be bad boys and girls and not to fight. And we just think our teacher is just simply divine, cause she will romp and play with us, and have the biggest time! She has so much fun with us all, you ought to see her play baseball! She’s just a regular sport, when we are all at play, but when the school bell calls us in “We’ll have to work,” she’ll say. We work while we work and play while we play, and in this way make a perfect day. I like to go to Hailey School because we only have one rule, and we won’t easily forget. Its the best rule that’s been made yet!”

The Hailey School District No. 72 building, unfortunately, burned in the spring of 1938. It had been used that night for a gathering and later caught fire, with the cause not being reported. Plans began next spring to rebuild the school with bonds that had been voted on. R.M. Brandon was hired to do the work on reconstructing the school which is the building that still stands currently.

The Hailey School unfortunately fell victim to consolidation in America as many schools did rendering it unable to stay open from lack of funds. The school held its final year in 1969. The building was probably used for some community events in the following years after before ultimately becoming abandoned. See tons of historic pictures of the Hailey School, its students and its teachers below.

Gallery Below of Hailey School

Hailey School INFO (LINK)

Hailey School Historic Photos (LINK)

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