Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Parker High School

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

1. Parker High School Marker

Inscription. Desiring to organize a new school district that would provide a high school for the 14 textile communities that wormed a west side crescent around Greenville, a group of mill executives, in 1922, petitioned the state Legislature to create the Parker School District. It would appeal to students by providing desired training in vocational and textile work and promote the welfare of the people of the district. On February 17, 1923, the South Carolina Legislature passed Act 369 allowing for the consolidation of several districts into one school district, the Parker School District, name after Lewis Wardlaw Parker (1865-1916). Heretofore, the schools in the mill communities carried children only through the 8th or 9th grade. Lawrence Peter Hollis (1883-1978), whose lifelong motto was “It Can Be Done” was selected to organize the new district. Parker District High School opened on November 25, 1923. On May 26, 1924, the high school honored its first graduating class of 17 students. Soon after its opening, the first high school vocational training department in the nation opened at Parker and trained countless students in machine

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operations, carpentry, masonry and other manual crafts. By 1948, 1,600 students were enrolled, making it the largest high school in the state.

The centerpiece of the school district was the Parker District High School, whose first principal was Ellison M. Smith. The new high school building, designed by the J.E. Sirrine Company, cost $120,000. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on April 18, 1924.

Known as “The most comprehensive high school in America”, Park was listed among America’s top 100 high schools in 1955, 1957, 1960, 1966, and 1971. Massive renovations in 1965 changed the original design. The high school closed with the graduating class of 1985.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Greenville Textile Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 25, 1923.

Location. 34° 52.081′ N, 82° 25.618′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It is on Ravenel Street west of Smythe Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker located in Greenville Textile Heritage

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

2. Parker High School Marker

Marker located on right. Monaghan Mill can ben seen in the background.

Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 McBeth St, Greenville SC 29611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Slater (here, next to this marker); Poinsett (a few steps from this marker); American Spinning (a few steps from this marker); Poe Mill (a few steps from this marker); Piedmont (within shouting distance of this marker); Camperdown (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Monaghan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all

Greenville Textile Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

3. Greenville Textile Heritage Park

Parker High School marker can be seen on the right.

markers in Greenville.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,064 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.