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

Lincoln High School

Photographed By Dave W, May 28, 2023

1. Lincoln High School Marker, Side One

Inscription.
(side 1)
Lincoln High School can trace its origins to the establishment of “Lincoln School,” which was built as the first public school in Sumter, S.C. for African American students in 1874. Lincoln High School, which opened in 1937, occupies the same site and operated as an African American high school until 1969. Lincoln was highly regarded for its academic programs, with an award-winning student newspaper called “The Echo” one of many accomplishments. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) Funding from the Works Progress Administration offset labor costs of the large-scale construction. In 1952 funds from S.C.’s public school equalization program were used to add two large wings to the original building. In 1970 Lincoln H.S. consolidated with the formerly all-white Edmunds H.S. to form Sumter H.S. This building remained in use as the Council St. Campus of Sumter H.S. until 1983. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Erected 2015 by Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association. (Marker Number 43-47.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

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• Civil Rights • Communications • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 33° 55.115′ N, 80° 20.81′ W. Marker is in Sumter, South Carolina, in Sumter County. Marker is on Council Street, 0.1 miles south of West Liberty Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Council St, Sumter SC 29150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Holocaust (approx. 0.2 miles away); Temple Sinai (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sumter District Confederate Dead (approx. ¼ mile away); Sumterville Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Y.M.C.A. (approx. ¼ mile away); Clara Louise Kellogg (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sumter.

Also see . . . South Carolina Historic Properties Record.

incoln High School is significant in the area of education as the center of African American educational, civic, and community life in Sumter from 1937 to 1969.

(Submitted on May 28, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)

Lincoln High School Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 28, 2023

2. Lincoln High School Marker, Side Two

Lincoln High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 28, 2023

3. Lincoln High School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.