The Culleoka Institute began in the basement of the Methodist church in 1869. William R. ("Old Sawney") Webb assumed management of the school in 1870, laying the foundation for what became Webb School. In 1876 a large school building was erected to the northwest of this location. Webb moved the school to the town of Bell Buckle, Tennessee, in 1886, following disputes with locals concerning the sale of liquor to students. The school still operates in Bell Buckle today.