Cheraw in Chesterfield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Robert Smalls School

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

1. Robert Smalls School Marker, Side One

Inscription. Robert Smalls School was built in 1953 as a segregated school for African American students. Construction was funded as part of South Carolina’s school equalization program. While both white and black schools were funded by this program, the purpose was to equalize African American educational facilities and conform with the doctrine of“"separate but equal” in order to avoid racial integration.

Designed by the firm of Hopkins, Baker & Gill of Florence, S.C., the school’s Colonial Revival aesthetic was heavily influenced by Cheraw, Incorporated, a group of local leaders who worked to ensure that new construction in the area was consistent with Cheraw’s historic character. The architecture of the building sets it apart from other equalization schools, which were usually built in a mid-century modern style.

Erected 2015 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by Pathfinders United. (Marker Number 13-16.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 34° 42.099′ N, 79° 53.028′ W.

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Marker is in Cheraw, South Carolina, in Chesterfield County. It is on Front Street north of Kershaw Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 Front St, Cheraw SC 29520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

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 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: Coulter Memorial Academy Site (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafayette’s Tour (approx. 0.3 miles away); The 71st Regiment of Foot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old St. David's (approx. 0.4 miles away); Francis Asbury's First Visit to S.C. (approx. half a mile away);

Robert Smalls School Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

2. Robert Smalls School Marker, Side Two

Pee Dee Union Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); Captain Mose Rogers (approx. half a mile away); Cheraw Confederate Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheraw.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Grave of British Soldier (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Robert Smalls School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

3. Robert Smalls School Marker

The Former Robert Smalls School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

4. The Former Robert Smalls School

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.