Bear Point School

Welcome! We are pleased you have found this site. We’re hopeful that as an alumnus of the school, a family researcher, an old neighbor in Bear Point community, or just someone who popped in, you will get a kick out of seeing these old pictures and lists of students and teachers.

Bear Point School was located about 2.5 miles west of Sesser on what is now Church Road. In the mid to late 1800’s when the school began, the area was generally known as Bear Paunch. Later, the community became known as Bear Point.

The one-room school initially held classes in a 2-story log building owned by James M. Brayfield and located in the immediate vicinity of the current Bear Point Church. The log building also housed the Brayfield Post Office where the mail was distributed to the children in the school to take home with them. This log building burned before the end of the century.

In 1907, one acre of land was donated for a new one-room school by John and Ethel Eubanks. This frame building was located about one-quarter mile southwest of the old location. Grades 1 through 8 were educated there until the school was closed in 1956.

School-year photos, teachers, and historical material have been provided from a variety of sources including former students, relatives, and historical publications. The photo quality is a bit deficient, but they are the best we’ve been able to find at the present time. As time progresses, we welcome any updated materials.

As noted above, we are in search of additional photos and names of students. Of course, any improved pictures and corrections are also welcomed.