Warrenville in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jefferson High School / Rev. Austin Jefferson, Sr.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010
1. Jefferson High School Marker
Erected 2007 by Jefferson Alumni Association. (Marker Number 2-34.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 33° 29.828′ N, 81° 51.859′ W. Marker is in Warrenville, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is on Flint Drive (State Highway 731) west
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jacksonville School / Jacksonville Lodge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Storm Branch Baptist Church (approx. 2˝ miles away); Beech Island Baptist Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Savannah Town / Fort Moore (approx. 4.8 miles away); Signal Corps Aviation School (approx. 5 miles away in Georgia); Historic Church (approx. 5.1 miles away); Downer Institute & School / Downer School, 1924–1986 (approx. 5.1 miles away); Former Site of WJ Rutherford & Co Brickyard (approx. 5.2 miles away); Home of Governor Telfair (approx. 5.2 miles away in Georgia); Hamburg (approx. 5.3 miles away).
Additional commentary.
1. Jefferson Alumni Support Their Alma Mater
By April Bailey
June 22, 2009
The Aiken Standard
Jefferson Elementary, in Warrenville, did not start out as a primary school.
Jefferson was founded in 1956 as both a middle and high school for students in Langley, Bath, Clearwater, North Augusta, Beech Island, Graniteville and Belvedere before schools were desegregated in Aiken County.
At
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 16, 2010
2. Rev. Austin Jefferson, Sr. Marker
It was named for Rev. Austin Jefferson Sr., a minister who was known in the community as an advocate for education.
"He was a community supporter, interested in educating black children," said Dr. Marsha Harris, who attended Jefferson High as a student and later served as assistant principal at Jefferson Elementary.
Harris is among many former students of Jefferson High School working to preserve the school's legacy. In 2005, the Jefferson High Alumni Association was founded as former students were preparing for their 50th class reunion, held in 2006. More than 500 former students attended the reunion, which included a tribute to the Rev. Austin Jefferson.
Since the group was organized, members have been working to make a positive impact in the local area through community service and by promoting education, said Harris.
"We feel we received great instruction in education and in values from the school, the community and our parents, and we just want to pass those things on to the next generation," she said.
George Bush, vice president of the alumni association, said students who attended
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 16, 2010
3. Jefferson School as seen today
"It was a close-knit school," recalls Bush, who graduated from Jefferson High in 1962. "Everybody knew each other and got along."
Harris said the organization is also working to uncover more of its alma mater's history. In 2007, the group worked to have a state historical marker placed at the site, which includes background information about the school and the Rev. Jefferson.
"What's most important now is that we give back to future generations," said the Rev. Cornell Harris, who serves are the membership coordinator for JHAA. He said the organization plans to take part in more volunteer services in the community, such as working with young children and helping seniors.
"What we are focused on now is getting people to join with us so we can work together," he said. "It's like our motto says, 'We didn't lose our school; we found our community.'"
JHAA meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Old Storm Branch Baptist Church, 163 Storm Branch Road in Beech Island.
For more information, contact Rev. Harris at 292-8939 or at [email protected].
— Submitted January 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 16, 2010
4. Jefferson High School / Rev. Austin Jefferson, Sr. Marker, looking west along Flint Drive
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 16, 2010
5. Jefferson High School / Rev. Austin Jefferson, Sr. Marker, looking east
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,384 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 8, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
