Hampton-Pinckney in Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

John Street School

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

1. John Street School Marker, Side One

Inscription. In 1921, John Street School for local white children opened at this site. The six-room, one-story brick building fronted John St., later renamed Asbury Ave. It was designed by architects J.E. Sirrine & Co. and built by contractor J.S. Hamby. It was part of a wave of school construction to serve families in Greenville's growing suburbs. It was originally a primary school with a grammar school building added in 1929.

The grammar school building fronted the corner of John and Hudson Sts. and included an auditorium, eight classrooms, and office space. It came to be known as “Big John” and the older primary building as “Little John.” The school’s first African American students enrolled in the mid-1960s. It was majority Black by the time of county wide integration in 1970. The school closed in 1971. Both buildings were later razed.

Erected 2023 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by the Hampton–Pinckney, Inc. Porchfest. (Marker Number 23-99.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 34° 51.308′ N, 82° 24.418′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It is in Hampton-Pinckney. It is on

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North Hudson Street north of Asbury Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 N Hudson St, Greenville SC 29601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mattoon Presbyterian Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hampton-Pinckney Neighborhood (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saluda (Poinsett) Watershed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cherokee in the Upcountry / Beginnings of Greenville Water (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lake Keowee Watershed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reverence for Water: Feeding the Body, Feeling the Spirit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Table Rock Watershed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prospect Hill Park Monument (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

John Street School Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

2. John Street School Marker, Side Two

John Street School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

3. John Street School Marker

John Street School Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

4. John Street School Location

The marker is just out of frame on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.