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
In 1938, Orangeburg’s first black high school opened in this building, constructed 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.” Throughout Wilkinson’s history, it was the only black high school in the city of Orangeburg.
In 1953, Wilkinson moved to a new campus on Belleville Rd., built to help the state preserve segregation by equalizing black and white schools. Wilkinson students were active in the 1960s in the civil rights movement. After Swann v. Mecklenburg (1971), Wilkinson integrated with the white high school to form Orangeburg-Wilkinson High. Grades 9-10 attended the Wilkinson campus until 1973, when it became Belleville Junior High.
Erected 2019 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Wilkinson High School Alumni. (Marker Number 38-44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 33°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and in Santee Cooper Country. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Felton Training School & Teacherage (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil Rights Meetings / Sit-in March (approx. ¼ mile away); Claflin College (approx. 0.3 miles away); Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and Graveyard (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Carolina State University (approx. 0.4 miles away); Trinity United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Orangeburg Massacre (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orangeburg.
Photographed by Dave W, May 17, 2023
2. Wilkinson High School Marker Reverse
Photographed by Dave W, May 17, 2023
3. Wilkinson High School Marker
The marker is seen here in front of the building that has 'The Wilkinson High School' carved into the exterior of what is now the ROTC/Military Science building on the South Carolina State University Campus.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
