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

Wilkinson High School

Photographed By Dave W, May 17, 2023

1. Wilkinson High School Marker - Side 1

Inscription.
(side 1)
In 1938, Orangeburg's first black high school opened on Goff Ave. at a campus built by the Works Progress Administration. It was named for Dr. Robert Shaw Wilkinson (1865-1932), pres. of S.C. State A&M College. The school's mascot was the Wolverines, and its colors were maroon and gray. Its motto was "Strive to excel, not to equal." It would ultimately be the city's only black high school. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) In 1953, Wilkinson moved to a new campus at this site, built to help the state preserve segregation by equalizing black and white schools. In 1971, Wilkinson integrated with the white high school to form Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Grades 9-10 attended this campus until 1973 when it became a junior high school, later named for Dr. Robert E. Howard. Wilkinson principal from 1952-1971.

Erected 2019 by Wilkinson High School Alumni. (Marker Number 38-45.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 33° 29.998′ N, 80° 50.328′ W. Marker is in Orangeburg, South

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Carolina, in Orangeburg County. Marker is at the intersection of Belleville Road (South Carolina Route S-38-29) and Mingo Street, on the right when traveling south on Belleville Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1255 Belleville Rd, Orangeburg SC 29115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Felton Training School & Teacherage (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Wilkinson High School (approx. ¾ mile away); Alexander S. Salley (approx. 0.8 miles away); Civil Rights Meetings / Sit-in March (approx. 0.9 miles away); Claflin College (approx. 0.9 miles away); South Carolina State University (approx. one mile away); The Orangeburg Massacre (approx. one mile away); Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and Graveyard (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orangeburg.

Wilkinson High School Marker - Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 17, 2023

2. Wilkinson High School Marker - Side 2

Wilkinson High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 17, 2023

3. Wilkinson High School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.