Timeline

• 1797 - First schoolhouse in area - Mills River Academy - opened “The cradle of education in Henderson County” established
• 1839 - Rugby School built on land donated by James Spann
• 1859 - New Mills River Academy built
• 1850s - Smoky Hollow opened on Old Haywood Road near Mt. Gilead Baptist Church
• 1902 - Holly Springs Union Chapel and School opened after being rebuilt following a fire
• 1915 - Mills River Academy acquired by Board of Education
• 1921 - Mills River Academy burned
• 1922 - New Mills River Academy built and re-named Mills River School
• 1928 - Renovation - (auditorium building built)
• 1941 - Renovations - (gymnasium and classroom building built)
• 1959 - Renovations - (cafeteria and classrooms built)
• 1960 - Mills River High School closed
• 1972 - Rugby Junior High opened
• 2003 - Renovations and construction