Toll Gate School

Open Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday noon- 4 p.m.

Built in 1923, Toll Gate School served as a cherished center of education and community
life for fifty years. Originally a two-room schoolhouse facing U.S. Route 220 South, the
building featured separate entrances for each classroom—there was no interior connection
between the two.
Established on land owned by Mr. Carl Welton, the school was a community effort, with
families from south Moorefield, Durgon, and Fisher—names like Cleaver, Pratt, Miller, Keller,
Kessel, and Crites—coming together to support local education. Water was carried from Mr.
Welton’s nearby home, and outhouses provided restroom facilities.
Heated by a flat iron stove fueled by donated wood, the school relied on a student janitor
to arrive early to start the fire, clean blackboards, and sweep floors—earning a small monthly
wage for his efforts.
More than just a school, Toll Gate was a hub of community spirit. Seasonal festivals, holiday
programs, and fundraisers brought families together over homemade soup, hand-churned ice
cream, and local talent.
As the community grew, so did the school, eventually adding a third classroom, kitchen,
and indoor plumbing. Toll Gate School closed its doors in 1973, but it remains a beloved
landmark, rich with memories of simpler times and shared traditions.
The owners of the building are Mr. and Mrs. Gary Arbaugh of Wardensville

Open courtesy of Country Weaving: Tammy Keller May
Location: 1172 US Route 220 South, Moorefield