City Directories and History: Olive was a one-room school house located on the edge of the Aycock’s farm at the intersection of Hwy 322 (West McConnells Highway) and Burris Road. The school was located between the McConnells School and the Bullocks Creek Academy because it was too far for area students to ride by wagon or horse or to walk to either school. Olive was built in 1915 when Sam Aycock, who served on the area school board for more than 24 years, deeded the property to School District 16 and provided both materials and labor to build the school. This school served area students in grades 1 through 6 for more than thirty years. By fall 1947, transportation had greatly improved, so one-room school houses were consolidated and Olive was closed. The neglected building was torn down in the 1970’s.
Olive students in the 1940-41 picture on the back row are: Johnnie Clontz, Wallace Robertson, Eddie Mae Slack, Dorothy Brakefield, and Emma Burris. On the front row are: Leroy Slack, Donald Slack, Rebecca Burris, Howard Brakefield, Ruby Robertson, Elsie Brakefield, Mozelle Brakefield. The teacher, John Aycock, not only attended Olive school as a child, but also taught there for several years and owned the adjoining farm.
The 1945-46 picture at the annual community fish fry and ballgame at Olive school includes teacher Louise Aycock (wife of John Aycock) with her daughter Patricia, nephew Bill, and other young children as well as some of her students. Pictured on the front row: Donald Slack, Bill Aycock, Louise Aycock, Patricia Aycock, unknown, Helen Slack. On the back row are: Dot Hafner, Sarah Slack, Amelia (Tennie) Slack, Rebecca Burris, Margaret Slack, and unknown. – Information contributed by Agnes A. Love, 8.24.14
Picture #1 – Olive students in the 1940-41 picture on the back row are: Johnnie Clontz, Wallace Robertson, Eddie Mae Slack, Dorothy Brakefield, and Emma Burris. On the front row are: Leroy Slack, Donald Slack, Rebecca Burris, Howard Brakefield, Ruby Robertson, Elsie Brakefield, Mozelle Brakefield. The teacher, John Aycock, not only attended Olive school as a child, but also taught there for several years and owned the adjoining farm.
Picture #2 – The 1945 picture at a community event at Olive school includes teacher Louise Aycock (wife of John Aycock) with her daughter Patricia, nephew Bill, and other young children as well as some of her students. Pictured on the front row: Donald Slack, Bill Aycock, teacher Louise Aycock with daughter Patricia, unknown, Helen Slack. On the back row are: Dot Hafner, Sarah Slack, Tennie, Rebecca Burris, Margaret Slack, and unknown.” – Information written and submitted to R&R by Agnes A. Love, on 8.24.14
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Robert Wilson says
I live about 3 miles from here and never knew it was right in my backyard. Amazing story, thank you for sharing!
rradmin says
We are glad to share. Please tell others about the site and share your community and family history so it too can be built on R&R.
Tom Taylor says
I’ve been doing some research with the South Carolina School Insurance Photograph Collection at the state archives. The car in that second photo is a 1941 Plymouth. It apparently belonged to the insurance agent responsible for inspecting and photographing the schools. That vehicle pops up in lots of the archive photos.
rradmin says
Tom,
Yes, I am trying to discover who it was taking the images. If you have any knowledge please let me know. R&R is receiving images not included in the insurance photographs and posting them on R&R as well. If you come across ones which have been converted into new uses, etc., please send them in – you are welcome to watermark them and we of course will give you proper credit.
WBF