City Directories and History: Prior to the erection of the school, old private educational institutions operated in Rock Hill.
The Herald reported, July 30, 1887 – “That W.G. Adams has secured the contract for building the graded school with a bid of $4,950.” and on Aug. 13, 1888 – “The RH Graded School will open Monday with Prof. Banks as Supt., Mr. Douglas as
Image courtesy of the Turner Postcard Collection – 2012
Assistant, and Mrs. Roach and Withers as teacher. The opening of the school will mark a new era in the history of the town of Rock Hill. The building is of superb structure and was built in view of the comfort and health of the people.” (There was $7,000 raised and the erection of the buildings was left to Rev. James S. Spratt’s wisdom and care. The school building was constructed at a cost of about $5,500.00, and the cost of the principal’s residence was about $2,000. The furniture for the school cost about $1,000. The first floor of the school building is divided into seven class rooms and the second floor is given up to a very large auditorium, well ventilated and completely furnished. – Charleston News and Courier, June 7, 1890) The article goes on to list the original school teachers at the school were: Prof. A.R. Banks, Principle, J.L. Dougas, W.W. Lewis, Ms. E.J. Roach, Ms. M. Withers, Ms. Mary Clarkson, and Ms. Anna Rawlinson.
Central School class of 1903 – Courtesy of the HRH Collection
The Board of Trustees for the school are: J.S. White, Chairman, Capt. W.L. Roddey, W.B. Wilson, Jr., A.E. Smith, J.C. Sharp, W.S. Creighton, and Iredall Jones.
The SC Architects: 1885 – 1935, Wells and Dalton, 1992 reported, “the architect Charles C. Hook designed an addition to Central School which was completed in 1913 at a cost of $17,800.”
The Herald contained an ad on Aug 21, 1890 for the Rock Hill Graded School. It stated, “the first term of this new institution will begin on the first Monday in Sept. it is under the management of Prof. A.R. Banks, the ad contains rates and offers boarding. Prof. W.W. Lewis, a graduate of the Citadel, will superintend the military and calisthenics department. The ad was signed by Rev. J.S. White, Pres., and A.E. Smith, Sec.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 2, 1896 reported on the teaching staff at the school including: Prof. J.W. Thomson, Supt. and teachers, Walter Hall, J. Porter Hollis, Mattie B. Lide, S. Fannie Moore, Mannie E. Coggeshall, Louise Sherfessee, Claude E. Godfrey, and Emma J. Roach. The music teacher is Mary Hutchison Caldwell.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 6, 1902 – “The RH Graded School has opened with 340 students. There were 303 last year. The Supt. is Mr. (J. Colman) Cork.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 13, 1902 – “The graded school had an enrollment of 360 in grades 1-9, the Arcade – Victoria School had an enrollment of 74 students and the Manchester School had an enrollment of 36. The Winthrop Model School also has good attendance. The trustees of the Graded School are considering an additional wing on the school due to overcrowding.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 3, 1914 – “That the faculty of the Central School included, Ms. Claude Godfrey, Robert Wardlaw, E. Lucile Sales, Eunice Chaplin, Louse Fry, Janette Roddey, Alma Bowman, Annie Clare Hutchison, Mary Roach, Mary Gray Sandifer, Mary Thomson, and Belle Norris. Enrollment in the school was 476 student.”
Old Central School being demolished. Courtesy of the Mendenhall Collection
The Herald reported on Sept. 4, 1925 – “That school enrollment has been announced for the fall term: High School (451), Jr. High School (234), Central School (388), Arcade-Victoria (102), Northside (350), Highland Park (72), Ebenezer Avenue (324), Kindergarten (54), Emmett Scott (420), Boyd Hill (114).”
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HISTORY THREAD – W. G. Adams, Contractor
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