Letter to the Editor:
    This is a brief history of Rock Springs and its schools over a period of many years, as I remember it. The death of Ethel Fillingham Shackleford brought nostalgic memories of our school days together.
    The Fillinghams lived where Glenview is now, near the Wilson addition. Ethel’s brother, Rufus Fillingham, taught two terms at Rock Springs school. There were four girls and three boys in the family: May, Grace, Gena and Ethel, Rufus, Gus and Foster. All are gone but Gus and Foster. Foster lives at Olvey, Gus in Missouri. They walked to school through all kinds of weather.
    It was a one room school, one teacher taught all eight grades. The teachers received $30 a month for a five or six months school. Some 30 or 40 pupils attended the school. Among the teachers over the years were George Engles, Mattie Hudgins, Rufus Fillingham, Walter Harris, Pearl Small, Carrie Huffman, who married Galen Price, Zera Holder; all are gone unless Zera is living (she married a Sneed); Byrd Nance, Berry Bruton, Carl Brown, Charles Hunt.
    A long time ago, my mother attended school in a log house on the old Raynor place, now is owned by John Rains. She said when the wind was in a certain direction, the fireplace smoked and the children had to go home.
    Our old school house was abandoned and was torn down. Loyd Brisco purchased the land and built a beautiful home there.
    Many years ago the Baptists and other religious organizations used the school house for church and Sunday school.
    There were no cars in the long ago, and folks traveled by buggy or wagons.
    Here is a brief history of Rock Springs and how it was named. It was known as “Happy Hollow” for a long time. My mother and aunt renamed it Rock Springs, as there were many springs here.
    Most all landmarks are gone. The old Pat Mitchell house was on the land which is the airport now. Jay Smith purchased it and moved it to just west of the airport.
    The old Hines house has fallen down. The 100-year-old barn still stands. The old George Engels house, owned by Herbert Wilson at one time, still stands. The Humane Society owns it, and is the only rent house in this community as far as we know. Everybody owns their places. The old Newt Jones house was purchased by Dogpatch. It was a double log house. The old house of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Hunt was sold to Dr. Robinson near the Lone Oak Dairy. He moved it and made a guest house of it. It was built about 75 years ago. This has been a community since in the 1870's. No store was ever here nor a post office. Time has a way of passing. It is said, “time and tide wait for no one.”
    Many old timers will remember these things, which in time will be forgotten.

Mellie Hunt Smith
[November 1976]