Storys Creek School was built in 1896 about four miles northwest of Eminence. In the early 20th century, about 25 students attended Storys Creek, where first through eighth grades learned together while sitting in double desks. The school was consolidated with Eminence in 1957. At one time, Shannon County had about 88 one-room schools. One of the first in the community of Alley was a log structure believed to have been built in the 1880s. The second Alley school was a clapboard building similar to Storys Creek School. The third Alley school stood down the road from the present-day General Store Visitor Center; it was a two-room stone building that served hot lunches and provided two years of high school. In these one-room schoolhouses, the main subjects were the three R's: Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic. Schools were often the center of community social activity, with spelling bees, ciphering matches, ball games, and pie suppers eagerly anticipated by the entire community. They were also commonly used for church services, campaign speeches, and polling places. Storys Creek School was donated to Ozark National Scenic Riverways by Mrs. Edria (Smith) Staples and moved to this location in 1971.