Las Animas County, Colorado
Starkville School



Page contributed by Karen Mitchell. Data contributed by Carol Lombard. The following was originally written by Bernice Kane, 3-13-1982, a long-time educator in Las Animas County.

The town of Starkville at one time maintained three school houses:� North Starkville District #53; Central Starkville, District #30; and South Starkville.

North Starkville: In the beginning the school was known as Leyba School District #53.� It consisted of three class rooms comprising grades 1-8.� During World War I or thereabout a new building consisting of 4 classrooms was constructed and became North Starkville District 53.� Enrollment was quite large for many years.�

After the closing of the Starkville mine in 1921, enrollment began to dwindle, and in a few years teacher positions dropped from 4 to 3, then eventually to one teacher.

Central Starkville: Central Starkville school building was originally a 3 classroom building.� Some time along the way, a third room was added employing four teachers for many years.� With declining population of school age children, this also caused a reduction in teacher positions.� Central Starkville also was from grades 1 through 8.

South Starkville: The original South Starkville was lost to a fire and a new 2 room building erected.� South Starkville was eventually eliminated and students attended Central School after the closing.�

Around 1965, consolidation took place and pupils were bused to Trinidad District #1.

North Starkville District #53 � some of the teachers:� Alice Lincoln - Principal; Edith Northrop; Lola Maes; Alice Maes � Principal ; Harry Bostick, Hazel Longhery (or Loughery) �- Principal; Mary Wilson, Mary Ruvolo; Amy Skidmore, Lena Boccaccio; Ann Carlson; Marguerite Randack (Rardack); Pete Shannon; Dan Archuleta; Avade Lujan � Principal; Stella Jaramillo; Mary Ann Gutierrez; Sylvia Mantella (Martella); and a Mrs. Romero.

Some Central Teachers: Ed Kane � Principal; Mae McLaughlin; a Mrs. Prosser; Luella Johnson � Principal; Frances Boyle; a Miss Kelstrom; Louise Wicker; Carolyn Simpleman � Principal; Isabel Horsman; Hazel Loughery � Principal; Mary Falagrady; Ann Carlson; Anthony LaPenna; �Dominic Mollica; Larry Sebber; Sally Reeves; Dolores Romero; Agnes Larsen.



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