Little Oak was one of the first towns in Pike County

Published 8:22 pm Tuesday, August 13, 2024

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In the February 1967 edition of the Troy Messenger, there were many articles on historical places and events in Pike County.  Some of the earliest settlers moved to Little Oak in 1825-1826.

Dianne Smith

Dianne Smith

Actual facts concerning the history of the Little Oak community in the southern part of Pike County are limited.  It is known that a post office was built there in 1856.  This post office was short-lived being discontinued in 1866.

A second post office was established in 1870 and was in operation until 1903.  The building used during this period still stands in the corner of Pike County Road number 28 (newly assigned number by State Highway Department) and a dirt road at the Little Oak Church.

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Early settlers in eh Little Oak community were as much concerned with the education of their children as with religious training.  The first church was organized in 1830 by a Rev. Mr. Sales.  Other early settlers who aided in building and maintain a strong church were John Shultz, John Stagner, Christian Kyzar, the Cowarts, Sniders and the Allreds.

Settlers in the Little Oak community built the Wellington Academy which served children from a wide area.  The academy was later changed to Little Oak School which was discontinued when the county schools began to consolidate.  The academy was located near the present site of Little Oak Methodist Church.

The post office began its service at the intersection of County 21 and the Little Oak-Goshen Road.  This was during the first period of service.  When it was reorganized the post office was moved approximately 2 miles down the Little Oak-Goshen road because the population had shifted to this area.  The post office began in a building which was being operated as a general store by Henry Bradley who has many descendants in this area.  Post masters who served during the first period were William D. Richburg, William B. Swan and Isaac J. White.

Postmasters who served under the second term were William M. Snider and Josiah Snider.  William was the great uncle of Mrs. John Brown who lives within several hundred yard of the old post office.  Josiah was her grandfather.

When the post office was discontinued in 1879, Little Oak was place on rural route service out of Troy.  For a while after this, Little Oak was serve by rural route from Goshen but was soon transferred back to the Troy Route which continues to serve it today.

All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical and Preservation Society.