Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Aiken Graded School
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
1. Aiken Graded School Marker
This park is the site of Aiken Graded School, a two-story brick school built 1924-25. It was built for black pupils in grades 1-7 and was one of almost 500 S.C. schools funded in part by the Julius Rosenwald Foundation 1917-1932. Black Aiken physician Dr. C.C. Johnson raised $3,500 in the black community toward the total cost of $33,500. Black brick mason Elliott Ball supervised the school’s construction.
The school, described as “one of the best in the state” when it was being built, had ten classrooms, a library, and an auditorium seating 600. It opened in the fall of 1925, with principal W.D. Drake, nine teachers, and almost 300 students. The school, the only black elementary school in Aiken until new schools began to be built in 1954, closed in 1969. It was demolished in 1973.
Erected 2013 by Aiken County Historical Society, Sponsor. (Marker Number 2-50.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 33° 33.982′ N, 81° 42.612′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is at the intersection of Hampton Avenue
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Schofield School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Aiken First Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Friendship Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Friendship (African) Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Defense of Aiken (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aiken Vietnam War Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aiken County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aiken County 125th Anniversary (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
2. Aiken Graded School Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
3. Aiken Graded School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 78 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
