Among the most rural school districts in Pennsylvania, Forbes Road School District services the families of northern Fulton County in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. Approximately 375 students attend grades K4-12 with an average graduating class size of 25. In 2005, the 7-12 grade high school building, which also houses administrative staff, was adjoined to the elementary building. In essence, Forbes Road School District is now contained in a single edifice.
The “new” building was open during the 2005-2006 school year. The “old” building was constructed in 1959 with the first class graduating in 1960 and the last in 2005. Prior to 1959 high school had been available to northern Fulton County students at Fort Littleton School, Hustontown High School, and Smith High School in Yellow Creek.
The school colors, blue and gold, are carryovers from the Hustontown High School. They were chosen in the late 1920’s by Principal Bruce B. Shcats whose alma mater, Bucknell University, has the same blue and gold. The school mascot, the Cardinal, is also a vestige from Hustontown. The story is told that the school, in search of a mascot in the 1940’s, chose a winner – the Cardinal of the St. Louis baseball team, then recent World Series champions. The suggestion was left to a vote by the students who favored the Cardinal as a local bird as well.
The name Forbes Road comes from the military route carved from Carlisle through the wilderness by British General John Forbes in a 1753 French and Indian War campaign against the French at Fort Duquesne. Forbes’ route entered what is now Fulton County near the current northern parking lot in Cowan’s Gap State Park and through the present village of Burnt Cabins to a fort at the settlement of Sugar Cabins, now called Fort Littleton. From there the General and his troops followed a route coincident with today’s Forbes Trail near the Cromer Farm and on to the area now populated as Hustontown. His path continued along what is now North Hess Road (LR29025), out past the old Edwards residence and up Sideling Hill where Mt. House Road (LR29023) is now located. From there the troops camped at “Raes Town” and built Fort Bedford.
General Forbes was a winner, too. His campaign eventually resulted in the expulsion of the French from Fort Duquesne.
ALMA MATER
Midst the hills of Fulton County,
With her view so grand;
Stands our noble Alma Mater
Known throughout the land.
Sing, oh sing, ye youths and maidens,
Let her praises rise;
Crowned with majesty and honor
Hail to Forbes Road High.
‘Neath the dome of Heaven’s wonder
Proud she lifts her head,
Mingles with the clouds of glory
Flushed with victory red.
Sing, oh sing, ye youths and maidens,
Let her praises rise;
Crowned with majesty and honor
Hail to Forbes Road High.