The Lincoln County Department of Public Works recently erected signs to mark the location of the community of Kenna, site of the Four Points Consolidated School. Pictured are a few of the school's former pupils: (l-r) Ernestine Bohler, Pat Clay, Ed Crook, Russell Reese, Larry Pinson, Lorena Goolsby, Lounette Reese, and Marietta Stone. Although the name is not as recognizable as Double Branches, Leathersville, or Loco, the Kenna Community is nevertheless a vital part of Lincoln County history.

Last week, the Lincoln County Public Works Department erected signs that will pinpoint the exact location of Kenna.

Up until now, there were only two signs pointing the way to Kenna. One sign, posted at the junction of the McCormick Highway and Highway 220 East, lets folks know that Kenna lies six miles down 220. Another sign, located near Cliatt Crossing at the intersection of the Augusta Highway and 220, simply indicates that the community can be found somewhere down Highway 220.

The answer lies in the pages of history that chronicle the growth and development of Lincoln County.

A county map from 1939 shows the Kenna Community at the junction of Highway 220, Maxim Road, and Double Branches Road, known then and now as Martin's Crossroads.

In the book, "History of Lincoln County, Georgia," Clinton J. Perryman writes: "The people of the county have also shown a remarkable interest in advanced training for their children...In 1924, six school districts — Double Branches, Kenna, Maxim, Hew Hope, Pine Grove, and Union Hill, consolidated and formed Four Points Consolidated School District.

"Eight-thousand dollars in bonds was voted and issued by the district for the erection and equipment of a school building. This building was erected near Martin's Crossroads about six miles southeast of Lincolnton and named Four Points Consolidated School for the points of the crossroads.

"It is an attractive one-story sixroom structure, with splendid equipment, steam heat, and sanitary conveniences; and its white painted surface, with its location on a gentle sloping hill, gives it an impressive appearance."

Perryman went on to write that the school employs seven teachers and has an annual enrollment of from 175 to 200 students.

Among the local residents who attended Four Points Consolidated School are Nina Price Albea, Marietta Reese Stone, Pat Clay, Ed Crook, Russell Reese, Larry Pinson, Lorena Goolsby, Lounette Reese, and Ernestine Bohler.

Mrs. Bohler indicated that her father provided five acres of land for the school, which was situated behind her house near Tankersley's Store on Double Branches Road.

Sadly, after 20 years of service to the community, the Four Points Consolidated School was destroyed by a fire that was believed to have originated in the basement boiler room, according to the February 1, 1945 issue of The Lincoln Journal.

Plans to rebuild a new school never came to fruition, and many of the activities that were an integral part of the Kenna Community gradually faded away.

In addition to the school, there was also an old gold mine on Double Branches Road near Kenna known as Gold Mine Hill.

In her comments, Ann Mathews, a Kenna resident, thanked Rob Robinson, District 4 representative on the county commission, and Roby Seymour, the county's public works director, for installing the road signs in recognition of the Kenna Community.

She also expressed her appreciation to Diane Poteat, genealogy assistant at the Lincoln County Library, along with those who attended Four Points Consolidated School for the historical information they provided for this article.

Now, with the placement of the signs, people will know without a doubt that they are indeed in the community of Kenna.