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Belton in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters

1917 Union High School 1937

 
 
Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
1. Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters Marker
Inscription.
This building served as a classroom and
dormitory for the former Union High School

Dedicated
"To The Glory of God"
July 20, 1991
The Reverend R.H. Mitchell -- Moderator at Renovation
Dr. Earl J. Mathis -- At Dedication

Trustees
Rev. Marvin Peoples, Chr.
Mr. Paul Hall
Mr. Sylvester Clinkscales
Mrs. Mullean B. Heard
Mr. A.A. Martin, Sr.
Rev. C.A. Latimer
Mrs. Dorothy Robertson

Congress
Dr. J.L. Earl
Rev. Greene Jenkins
Rev. H.C. Anderson
Prof. E.W. Rice
Mr. C. Lee Davis
Mr. William Everly
Mr. A.A. Martin
Mr. Roosevelt Thompson
Mr. Benjamin E. Owens
Mr. Randolph Morris
Mr. Mahlon Willis

Building Committee
Rev. James C. Rich, Chr.
Mr. A.A. Martin, Sr.
Mr. Banjamin E. Owens
Rev. Marvin Peoples
Mr. William A. Everly., Jr.
Mr. Roosevelt Thompson
Mrs. Nadine G. Williams
Rev. Rufus H. Mitchell
Rev. Joe Murphy
Mr. Joseph Clements
Rev. E.F. Mathis
Rev. I.C. Ward
Rev. Edward R. Scott
Mrs. Mullean Heard

Women Presidents
Mrs. Corrie Watkins 1908
Mrs. Mattie Green Dean 1961
Mrs. Luella G. Henry 1972
Mrs. Sara Martin 1975
Mrs. Dorothy Robertson 1980
Mrs.
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Mullean B. Heard 1985
Mrs. L. Ruth Whitted 1990

Brotherhood Pres.
Mr. C. Lee Davis
Mr. Sylvester Clinkscales
Mr. U.G. Heard
Mr. Roosevelt Thompson
Mr. Larkin V. Walker
Mr. Willie E. Hatten
Mr. Theodore A. Mattison

Moderators
Rev. Franklin S. Morris 1868
Rev. Gabriel Poor 1868
Rev. Franklin S. morris 1869
Rev. W.H. Watkins 1889
Rev. A. Walker 1910
Rev. Stewart Oliver 1911
Rev. S.C. Campbell 1936
Rev. J.C. Cowan 1945
Rev. W.L. Zimmerman 1957
Dr. L.R. Best 1959
Rev. J.S. Maddox 1962
Dr. Moses P. Robertson 1968
Dr. C.R. Lewis 1983
Rev. Rufus H. Mitchell 1985
Dr. Earl F. Mathis 1990

Ushers Pres.
Mr. Joe S. Brown
Mr. Roy Geer

 
Erected by Roosevelt and Dorothy Thompson and Son.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: EducationReligion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1986.
 
Location. 34° 30.7′ N, 82° 30.998′ W. Marker is in Belton, South Carolina, in Anderson County. It is on Union High Drive near Smith Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belton SC 29627, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Belton Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away);
Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
2. Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters
First Baptist Church of Belton (approx. 1.2 miles away); Belton Academy / Central School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Greenville & Columbia RR / Belton (approx. 1½ miles away); Belton / Historic Belton (approx. 1½ miles away); Belton Depot (approx. 1½ miles away); The Belton Standpipe (approx. 1.6 miles away); Latimer Memorial Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Chamberlain-Kay House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dorchester Baptist Church World War II Veterans Plaque (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belton.
 
Regarding Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters. The Rocky River Baptist Association is made up of 38 churches in Anderson County South Carolina.
 
Additional commentary.
1. Union High School
Twenty-six churches were in the association when it met in 1880 at Mt. Abel Baptist Church. In 1880 the idea of erecting a high school in the County was advanced by the late Dr. H. Watkins, that the young men and young
Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
3. Rocky River Baptist Association Headquarters and Marker
women of the association might have a chance to finish high school.

In spite of the lack of financial assets a budget of $1,000 was accepted to purchase land and a building. The aspirations and dreams were realized. Twenty-two acres of land were purchased. A large two-story frame building was erected.

This building housed the girls who boarded. Contained also, office space, classrooms, kitchen and a dining area. A one story frame building served as a Home Economics classroom, a two-story brick building was built to house male boarding students, and to serve as classrooms.

Hundreds of men and women were given their start to education because of Union High School.

As educational opportunities became more plentiful in each town, the need for the school decreased and consequently the school was closed. (Source: Rocky River Baptist Association.)
    — Submitted September 26, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,969 times since then and 162 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 12, 2026