A new book has been published, entitled “The History of Smoot Schools,” documenting the history of the Smoot Schools at Smoot.

The author is Irma Smith Cadle, executive director of the Cadle’s Historic Preservation Corporation (CHPC), a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving history.

The book documents the establishment and evolution of Smoot Schools from the beginning around 1900 until consolidation in 1968.  Several photos from its early years are included, showing each of the buildings that housed the high school and normal school, as well as students from those first graduating classes. A general history of Smoot, Greenbrier County, is also provided.

This is one of many projects Cadle hopes to complete in the not-too-distant future, as she is very dedicated to documenting and preserving local history in many ways. She and her husband are restoring the one-room school in Grassy Meadows (Lewis School); and she is currently working on another book documenting all of the more than 250 historic one-room schools that once existed in Greenbrier County. She would be most interested in receiving input from the public, in the form of photos, stories, teacher biographies, student information and site locations for any of these one-room schools. If you, or someone among your family and friends, has such information to share, she would appreciate hearing from you at: Irma Smith Cadle, 6692 Grassy Meadows Road, Grassy Meadows, WV 24943, or phone at: 304-392-2145.

“The History of Smoot Schools” was printed by Cardinal Printing Company, published by Grassy Meadows Publishing Company, and is now available from the author. The price is $12.75, including tax, (or $15 with postage), payable to Grassy Meadows Publishing Co.; and can be ordered at the above address.

For additional information, call Irma Cadle at 304-771-8814.