Though it now serves as the Warthen Community Center, this Colonial Revival building was originally home to the Bethlehem Academy, associated with the adjacent church. It was chartered in 1832 and was integral to the social and academic life of the community well into the 20th century.
Warthen Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This school was built by Macon Warthen who was my great great uncle. He also taught there.
Originally the building was two stories, but the upper story was removed, probably in the 1950s.
The Warthen Community was the site where my Walker ancestors settled When they left Pitt County, North Carolina in the year 1819. John Daniel Walker and his family of about ten made their way to Washington County and settled near Keg Creek not far from the Hancock County line. My second great grandfather, Allen Atkinson Walker, was involved in the educational endeavors of Bethlehem Academy where he taught and was a trustee at one time. The Walker family farmed and ran a mill on Keg Creek. Several of my ancestors rest in the John Daniel Walker Family Cemetery about one half mile off the Mills- Lindsey School Road Near Union Baptist Church. My wife and I visited the site recently and wondered how the trip from Pitt County, North Carolina those many year ago was possible. With a large, it must have been a challenge traveling those hundreds of miles with wagons, tools, oxen, mules, cattle, etc. Our ancestors were brave and tough. They helped others like themselves carve out a new nation.
Allen was my 3 great grandpa. I was able to go to the cemetery off of Lindsey school rd.