Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Emmett Scott School
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
1. Emmett Scott School Marker
This school, founded in 1920, was the first public school for blacks in Rock Hill. Named for Emmett J. Scott (1873-1957), a prominent educator who was then secretary of Howard University, Emmett Scott School included all twelve grades until 1956 and was a junior high and high school from 1956 until South Carolina schools were desegregated in 1970. The original two-story frame school, built in 1920, was demolished in 1952.
This property is owned by the City of Rock Hill and has been a neighborhood recreation center since the school closed in 1970. Seven principals served the Emmett Scott School during its fifty-year existence:
Frank H. Neal 1920-1924 L. B. Moore 1924-1938 Ralph W. McGirt 1938-1959 W. H. Witherspoon 1959-1967 George Land 1967 Richard Boulware 1968 Samuel Foster 1969-1970
Erected 1996 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Emmett Scott Alumni and Affiliates. (Marker Number 46-27.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the South Carolina Historical Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. 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 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mary Catholic Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clinton Junior College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hermon Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Live Oak (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sugarberry (approx. Ύ mile away); Bicentennial Ginkgo (approx. Ύ mile away); Yoshino Cherry (approx. Ύ mile away); White Oak (approx. Ύ mile away); A Tribute to Vernon Grant (1902-1990) (approx. Ύ mile away); The African American Business District Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hill.
Also see . . . Blackpast.org. Brief biography and photo of Emmett Scott (Submitted on November 27, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
2. Emmett Scott School Marker Reverse
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
3. Emmett Scott School Marker
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
4. Emmett Scott Recreation Center
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
5. Emmett Scott Recreation Center
Photographed by Yvonne Vaughn, April 29, 2023
6. Ralph W. McGirt Auditorium at the former Emmett Scott School
Photographed by Yvonne Vaughn, April 29, 2023
7. Freshmen Class of 1970 tablet at the former Emmett Scott School
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,727 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on April 30, 2023, by Yvonne Vaughn of Elgin, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
