Westside in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Burke High School
Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2011
1. Burke High School Marker
(Front text)
This school, founded in 1910, was the first public high school for African-Americans in Charleston. It succeeded the Charleston Normal & Industrial School, a private school at Bogard & Kracke Streets, which had been founded in 1894 by Rev. John L. Dart. The new Charleston Colored & Industrial School, built here at President and Fishburne Streets by the City of Charleston, opened in January 1911 with 375 students.
(Reverse text)
David Hill became the first African-American principal in 1919. The school was renamed Burke Industrial School in 1921 in memory of J.E. Burke, vice chairman of the public school board. By 1930 Burke, with 1,000 students, had a full elementary and high school curriculum in addition to its vocational curriculum. Burke merged with Avery High School in 1954, was accredited, and was renamed Burke High School, in a new complex on this site. It was rebuilt in 2005.
Erected 2010 by The Burke High School Foundation, Inc. (Marker Number 10-67.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1911.
Location. 32° 47.563′ N, 79° 57.224′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Burke High School (here, next to this marker); Harmon Field / Cannon Street All-Stars (within shouting distance of this marker); Septima P. Clark Expressway (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Parsonage / Miss Izard's School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cannon Street Hospital / McClennan Banks Memorial Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lt. Frank Elwood Bloomenshine and Lt. James Futrell Exley (approx. 0.4 miles away); LTC Charles “Chad” H. Buehring (approx. 0.4 miles away); Star of the West (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2011
2. Burke High School Marker, reverse side
Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2011
3. Burke High School Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2011
4. Burke High School and Marker, east along Fishburne Street
Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 9, 2011
5. Burke High School and Marker, looking west along Fishburne Street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 14, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
