The Rock Hill Herald reported on Aug. 19, 1880 – “The FM Academy will open soon with A.R. Banks as Principal and H. DeGraffengreid as associate principal. The board of trustees includes: Capt. J.W. Ardrey, Capt. N.G. Bradford, the Rev. Dr. Mack, Mr. W.H. Stewart, Capt. E. White and others.” The RH Herald reported on July 28, 1881 – “the FM Academy has released a circular describing its next term. The Principals are: A.R. Banks, and T.H. Degraffenreid. The school has the reputation as one of the best in the state and in the last term it has 104 students.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 23, 1882 – “There are two schools in Fort Mill. One is presided over by Prof. Banks along with several teachers. They have between 50 and 60 students. The other school is run by Ms. Annie Hinton from Lewis Turnout of Chester County. This school which has only been in operation for six months, has between 20 and 30 students.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on June 14, 1883 – “Prof. T.H. DeGraffenreid will soon leave the FM Academy to enter the ministry. Prof. A.R. Banks remains in charge.”
The Rock Hill Herald of Nov. 6, 1884 reported – “The academy bell has been put in good order and it’s tones can be heard daily peeling the different hour of the school day.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Dec. 10, 1885 – “Prof. J.A. Boyd of the Fort Mill Academy has moved his family to town. They are occupying the old White Residence on White Street.”
On June 16, 1886 the Yorkville Enquirer reported – “Closing exercises were held at the FM Academy. Teachers are: A.R. Banks, J.A. Boyd, and Ms. Manassas Withers.”
On July 15, 1886 the Herald reported – “The FM Academy will now be known as the Fort Mill High School.” On March 10, 1887 the RH Herald reported – “Prof J.A. Boyd of the Fort Mill High School has contracted for the building of a handsome home on Banks Street near the Academy.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 14, 1888 – “Mr. J.L. Massey is completing a brick store occupied by Massey and Hughes. The Masonic Hall will be located on the second floor.” Later the Herald reported on Nov. 15th, 1888 – “The new Masonic Lodge in Fort Mill will be dedicated this afternoon.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 25, 1890 – “The Fort Mill graded school closed it’s term last week. Prof. J.A. Boyd is in charge and teachers are: Etta Ardrey and Lucy Belk. Enrollment is 106 students.”
City Directories and History: The Rock Hill Record reported on March 30, 1908 reprinted an item from the FM Times, “architect Hugh E. White, had been asked to inspect the old school building. He reported it was erected in 1874 by the Masonic Order, the first story being used as a school room and the second floor as a hall for the masons. Fort Mill now has a population of 2,000 and has outgrown the building even though both floors are used for the school. The building was badly shaken in 1886 by the earth-quack and iron rods hold together several large cracks in the rear. There are now four classrooms. Mr. White says, that lighting, seating, ventilation and exits do not meet modern standards and the school needs to be torn down and rebuilt.”
On Feb. 11, 1903 the Fort Mill Graded School now has an enrollment of 130. The Supt. is J.A. Tate and teachers are Ms. Thornwell and Ms. Hamilton.
The Herald on April 22, 1903 reported that – “Prof. J.A. Tate of the Fort Mill Graded School was in Rock Hill on Friday night.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of May 30, 1903 reported that Prof. J.A. Tate has been re-elected principal of the Fort Mill Graded School for next year.
The Fort Mill Times reported on June 24, 1909 – “Notice is given that the contract for the erection of a public school building in Fort Mill will be awarded to the lowest responsible builder on Friday June 25, 1909 at noon.” W.B. Meacham, Sec., Board of Trustees
The Fort Mill Times of June 30, 1910 reported, “Work is being rushed on the new graded school and it should be finished by the 15th of September.”
The Fort Mill Times reported on June 16, 1910 – “The Mills and Young Co., has been awarded the contract over several bidders for a considerable part of the hardware to be used in the construction of the new graded school building in Fort Mill.”
The Fort Mill Times also reported on June 16, 1910 – “Mrs. Elizabeth Ardrey and family will move from Pineville to Fort Mill in July. They will occupy the Branson Cottage on Booth Street. Mrs. Ardrey is the mother of Miss Kate Ardrey, a teacher in the Fort Mill Graded School.”
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