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

Central Colored School

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

1. Central Colored School Marker, Side One

Inscription. This frame building was constructed c. 1925 as a school for African American residents of Central. Known as Central Colored School, it replaced a privately owned one room school building believed to have been located nearby. The school enrolled approx. 70 students in grades 1-7 in 1937 and was open eight months out of the year. It had three rooms and was staffed by two teachers. including the principal.

Students who continued their education beyond Central Colored School attended Liberty Colored High School in Liberty. Central Colored School served local families until it closed in 1953. In its final year, the school enrolled approx. 50 pupils. Central-area students then attended segregated Calhoun Elementary in Clemson. In 1957, the former school at this site became the Central Community Center.

Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by the Pickens County Historical Society. (Marker Number 39-29.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 34° 43.285′ N, 82° 47.119′ W.

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Marker is in Central, South Carolina, in Pickens County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (South Carolina Route 93) and Hamilton Street, on the right when traveling south on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 714 W Main 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: The Central African-American Schoolhouse (a few steps from this marker); Central (approx. ¼ mile away); Central, South Carolina

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

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

2. Central Colored School Marker, Side Two

(approx. ¼ mile away); The Werner Family (approx. ¼ mile away); A Community Born of the Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Central School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bertha Evans Morgan Rose Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Central History Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Central.

The Former Central Colored School image. Click for full size.

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

3. The Former Central Colored School

This marker is just out of frame on the right.

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 176 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.