Richard Potter owned vast amounts of land in both Pike County and Virginia, before his death he set about dividing this property among his children. To his son Andrew Potter he gave all the land that is known as the Potter Flats. The area became known as the Potter Flats because at one time only Andrew's descendants lived there. This Potter clan was fiercely loyal to family and shared a common deep love for the area and the land. They cared for the land and it in turn cared for them. Gardens were raised and seeds from the best vegetables were dried and carefully put away to be used in next year's plantings.

The families that lived in the Potter Flats were a very self sufficent group of individuals. Hardship and adversity were a daily occurance. Through times of sorrow and immense happiness they remained loyal to family and the mountains they loved. They were dependent upon themselves and other family members that lived in the 'Flats for the necessities as well as the pleasures of life. Farming and raising livestock provided the food necessary for survival. Foods that were harvested from the gardens were prepared and stored for use during the winter months. Cattle and hogs were butchered and their meat cured for later use. All by products were used and turned into everything from soap to clothing. Store bought goods were a luxury for most of the inhabitants of this area.

Schooling of the children from the 'Flats was done at a one room school. The Potter Flats School was opened circa 1890 and closed in the 1950's. Our Great Grandmother Rebecca E. (Short) Potter realized the necessity for the children of the 'Flats to receive a good education. She was instrumental in having the Potter Flats School built on land they donated. She was a member of the Pike County School Board for many years. The children that attended school there were taught the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. The school teacher taught all grade levels. There were many different teachers that taught at this school over the years it was in existence. Our Great Grandmother Rebecca E. (Short) Potter taught there for a while as did Alpha (Rowe) Potter, wife of Speed Menifee. A few other teachers we know of are Ada Rasnick and Jack Tackett.

We are fortunate to have a few pictures of children that attended school there. To view the pictures click on the highlighted area.

School Days

School Days

Teacher's Golden

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Letha Berry

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