Oakland in Sumter County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
General Sumter Memorial Academy
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010
1. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker
This forerunner of the modern consolidated rural high school with Colonel John Julius Dargan, noted educator, as founder and principal, offered classes in agriculture, home economics, and music. Day students from four districts were transported by mule-drawn covered wagons.
(Reverse text)
Acton, built in 1803 on this site by the Kinloch family, housed the Academy from 1905 until 1911 when the building burned. In 1908 the U. S. Department of Agriculture established one of the earliest school demonstration farms here. J. Frank Williams, agriculture teacher, later became the first Sumter County Farm agent.
Erected 1963 by Academy Faculty and Alumni. (Marker Number 43-14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 33° 59.463′ N, 80° 30.941′ W. Marker is in Oakland, South Carolina, in Sumter County. It is on Acton Road near Meeting House Road (South Carolina Highway 43-488), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dalzell SC 29040, United States
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Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: General Thomas Sumter (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Sumter (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Thomas Sumter Grave (approx. 0.3 miles away); High Hills Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Battle of Beech Creek / The Civil War Ends In S.C (approx. 1.9 miles away); Church of the Holy Cross (approx. 2.8 miles away); Joel Roberts Poinsett (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Church of the Holy Cross (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.
Also see . . . South Carolina Postcards: Sumter County By Howard Woody, Allan D. Thigpen, page 22.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 4, 2010
2. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker, reverse side
Photographed by Randy Tucker, August 17, 2019
3. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker (restored)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 4, 2010
4. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker seen at Action Road near Meeting House Road
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 4, 2010
5. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker, looking northeast along Action Road
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 4, 2010
6. General Sumter Memorial Academy Marker and current building on site
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 4, 2010
7. Present day building at Markers location
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,196 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 22, 2019, by Randy Tucker of Greenville, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
