Adger College
The Keowee Currier of July 12, 1877 – “Twenty citizens of Walhalla have subscribed $500. each to establish a college under the Presbyterian Church. The Baptist have Furman University, the Lutherans have Newberry College, the ARP’s have Erskine and the Methodist have Wofford College. Before now the Presbyterians have sent their boys to Davidson, but we hope to see an equal college in S.C.” The paper later wrote June 7, 1878 – “We have received a catalogue for Adgar College for the first year of it’s existence, to end June 27, 1878. The attendance was 145, to include a senior class of three, a junior class of three, sophomore eight students, and freshman fifteen. The preparatory class has 22 students and the academic class some 94. No institution in the state has begun operating under more favorable conditions than Adger College.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 20, 1878 – “Many friends of Rev. Hugh Strong from Chester Co., will be pleased to learn that he has been elected as a professor at the College at Walhalla. “
The Rock Hill Herald on July 8, 1880 – “Mr. W.S. Moore will move the Walhalla, where he will enter into his duties as Prof. of Mathematics at Adger College.” The Herald on Dec. 16, 1880 contained an ad for Adger College in Walhalla. It provided education for young men and the location was described as very healthy. The college has five professors and the Rev. J.B. Riley is President.”
The Yorkville Enquirer contained an ad on Sept. 21, 1882 for Adger College of Wallhalla, S.C. It listed the faculty as – “Rev. F.P. Mullally – Pres., Rev. J.R. Riley – Rev. H. Strong, and prof. Wm. S. Moore. Tuition is $40. per year and classes include English courses, Classical courses and scientific courses.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Oct. 2, 1884 – “Mr .Willie Mack, the eldest son of J.B. Mack of Fort Mill, has been elected a professor at Adger College at Wallhalla. Willie graduated from Davidson College about one year ago.”
City Directories and History: The Walhalla Graded School is comprised of a 1902 graded school, a 1913-14 auditorium and east wing addition, and a 1950s classroom addition. It is significant as an excellent example of an educational building in the Classical Revival style designed by the Columbia architectural firm of Edwards and Walter. The school is also significant for its role in the educational development of Oconee County. An important landmark in Walhalla, this school was built on what had historically been the temporary site of Newberry
College and Adger College. It is one of the few surviving, relatively intact, early twentieth century brick school buildings still in use today in the county. The entire building is constructed of brick and rests on a brick foundation, with a raised basement under the two earliest portions of the building. These two early portions of the building have a hip roof with hip knobs and are covered with stamped sheet-metal shingles. The central section of the façade features a central projecting pavilion topped by a curvilinear gable. The auditorium is a one-story, six-bay brick building which extends from the north wall of the main school building. The classroom addition is a one-story, one-bay brick building which extends from the north wall of the auditorium. Listed in the National Register February 13, 1992.
(Courtesy of South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
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