Anderson in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Frierson School House
ca. 1886
Miss Sarah Jane (Janie) Frierson was a well known educator and the daughter of Dr. David Frierson, an early pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Anderson. Miss Frierson opened her one room school in the late 1880s. One room schools of this type were common throughout Anderson County, with potbelly stoves for heat, natural light for illumination, and outhouses. All grades were taught in the same room at the same time. Books were shared, discipline was severe, and oral repetitions of lessons was the common method of teaching. Schools were racially segregated.
The Frierson School originally stood on the corner of West Whitner and I Street. In 1983, the structure was donated to Anderson Heritage Inc., and for its continued preservation it was moved to a new location in the vicinity of Crayton Street and Roberts Street. Eventually, the Frierson School was moved to the Anderson County Fairgrounds and stood there until the fairgrounds were sold to Anderson University. In 2009, the Frierson School House was donated by Anderson Heritage Inc. to the Anderson County Museum. The school was moved to its present location in August 2009.
Erected 2010 by Anderson County Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.
Location. 34° 30.583′ N, 82° 38.917′ W. Marker is in Anderson, South Carolina, in Anderson County. Marker can be reached from East Greenville Street (State Highway 81). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 East Greenville Street, Greenville SC 29601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McGee Harness Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Reformer (within shouting distance of this marker); Orr Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); James Lawrence Orr (within shouting distance of this marker); Boy High School (within shouting distance of this marker); "Old Reformer" Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Girls High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia "Jennie" Gilmer (approx. 0.2 miles away); Anderson County Library (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anderson.
Also see . . . Miss Frierson's Schoolhouse Moving to Museum. Photos taken the rainy day of the move. (Submitted on November 29, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.