The town of Avoca was first known as Avo and was located about 3-1/2 miles southwest of the place now known as Avoca. This small place consisted of three stores, a post office, a blacksmith shop, and a small school building. The school building was also used for religious worship. This building was near the Spring Creek cemetery in the field which is now owned by Mr. Mauldin. This school was built and ready for teaching with a cost of only $124. There were only a few residences in the community, some of which are still standing, while others have been moved away.
Soon the railroad was built and Avo was moved to what is now known as Avoca. This place consisted of one church, the Presbyterian, a store, drug, and grocery combined, now owned by H.E. Culwell, the depot and about ten residences. The Presbyterian had their place to worship, while the Methodists joined the Spring Creek church and the Baptists in New Hope. But in 1905, Rev. Mr. West built the Methodist church and in 1908 Rev. J.T. Bussey established the Baptist church.
The first school building in Avoca stood where the ball park now stands. But another was erected up in town later. The first consisted of two small rooms while the later building was some larger. In 1909 the brick school building, which now stands and is used, was built. This is now a seven teacher school with music teacher. n these years there were several buildings erected, most of which have been destroyed.
More than 90 percent of the land now in cultivation was not cultivated when Avo was first moved. Hundreds of people attended the selling of the land in Avoca and a prize was given to the one who brought the largest crowd. The prize was a lot near the brick school building and was awarded to Ellis Culwell. |