Central in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Central School

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

1. Central School Marker, Side One

Inscription. This Classical Revival structure, built 1908-09 by B.E. Grandy, was originally a school for residents of the town of Central. It was designed by Christopher Gadsden Sayre, a regionally prominent architect from Mount Pleasant, S.C. The school served local white children in grades 1-11, with high school students also being drawn from outlying communities. Upon its completion, the school had seven classrooms and an auditorium. An additional west wing was built in 1922.

In 1936, this became Central Elementary School after a new high school was built across Church Street. At that time, approx. 300 students in grades 1-6 attended each day. Classes were held here until 1962, when the elementary school moved across the street. This building subsequently housed a public library branch and other community programs, including the Clemson Little Theatre from 1977 to 1992. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by the Pickens County Historical Society. (Marker Number 39-28.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 34° 43.396′ N, 82° 46.849′

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W. Marker is in Central, South Carolina, in Pickens County. It is on Church Street south of West Main Street, on the right when traveling south. The building is now named Central Lofts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 Church St, Central SC 29630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s and pstate,

in the Foothills, in the Golden Corner. 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: Central Railroad Depot & Red Caboose (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Werner Family (about 400 feet away); A Community Born of the Railroad (about 400 feet away); The Central Railroad Hotel (about 600 feet away); Billy Weems (about 600 feet away); Central, South Carolina (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Central (about 600 feet away); Bertha Evans Morgan Rose Garden (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Central.

Central School Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

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

2. Central School Marker, Side Two

Central School Marker image. Click for full size.

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

3. Central School Marker

The Former Central School image. Click for full size.

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

4. The Former Central School

The Former Central High School Across the Street image. Click for full size.

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

5. The Former Central High School Across the Street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.