I believe I remember having a study hall in one of the rooms there (in OB), in either 7th or 8th grade, at a time when enrollment was peaking and space was at a premium, and also playing dodgeball in the rotunda gym at least once… an interesting game for 40 kids in a room of that size and shape! It’s too bad the community couldn’t have appreciated the little gem that it had at that time, now almost 50 years ago, and done more to preserve it over the years. Can’t help but think that Wilbur Bolen would be thrilled at what you’re doing!

Submitted by William (Bill) Achbach
Attended Olive Branch 1963-65

Charlene Flora, Principal of the Olive Branch building in the 1950’s remembers a family traveling from the west coast area (State of Washington) by covered wagon and horse on their way to New York to attend the World’s Fair. They stopped at the school grounds to have lunch, feed the horses, and to rest for awhile. She, along with the teachers, realized they had one of those rare moments in time to use this experience as a teaching opportunity. The children were allowed to go outside to see the horses and the wagon, but also to hear how people got around before the automobile or other modes of transportation. Charlene reminded them that their great-grandparents no doubt traveled by this means from place to place many years before and how even their grandparents and their children might have been transported to school that way.

As told to former OBSPS Chairman, Bill Berry

I attended first and second grades at Little OB from 1959-1961. I recall the smell of the wood floors that were re-oiled every year during our Christmas break. One time a friend and I got in trouble for getting oil on a classmate’s sweater, and we were sent to the restroom with her sweater to remove the stain. We scoured for half an hour, but never did get the oil out! Another memory is of Mrs. Cobaugh telling us that the posts out front were hitching posts where the children tied their horses while they were in class. We couldn’t believe that kids used to ride horses to school!

Submitted by Randy Young

I have great memories of little OB as I lived across the street and  went to school there from 1960 -1963. I had Mrs. Moore for first grade, Mrs. Cobaugh for second grade and Mrs. Howell for third grade. Mrs Flora was the fourth grade teacher. I was sent to Medway for fourth grade as they were building Oscar T. Hawke school. I have lots of memories of little OB, from buying penny candy at lunch to riding my bike around and around outside of the building. It was part of our playground. I also used to do tricks on the metal bar connecting the stone fence around the front. I can remember in the first grade meeting a lot of new friends – friends that I still share my life with.

Submitted by Charlotte Thomas Jobe