Latta in Dillon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Vidalia Academy

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011

1. Vidalia Academy Marker

Inscription. Herod W. Williams was concerned about the education of his children as were many parents in Latta. With the help of farm hands Allen constructed a one room school on his property. When the school opened in 1877 there were fifteen students who paid an annual tuition of $3.50. Two years later the school was moved to the other side of Latta to lands donated by Dr. F.M. Monroe in hopes of increasing the student enrollment. In time the enrollment did increase creating the need for the addition of a second room in 1883. By 1898 the enrollment in the school had exceeded its capacity and a new three room school was built and the doors of Vidalia were closed.

The story of Vidalia does not end here. From its closing until around 1950 the building served as a Methodist assembly hall, a sharecropper dwelling and later a chicken coop. Over the next decade and a half it fell into disrepair and later moved to the site of the old Latta High School where it was renovated. Its journey was not complete. The building was to be moved again and stored when the high school was rebuilt. Under the watchful eyes of LaFon and Cindy LeGette the school was again renovated and has been loaned to the town of Latta and has become an integral part of this town park.

Erected by Town Council Latta S.C.

Topics. This

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historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 34° 20.321′ N, 79° 26.039′ W. Marker is in Latta, South Carolina, in Dillon County. Marker is on West Main Street (State Highway 917). Located in the small park, between North Marion Street and North Mauldin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Latta SC 29565, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Latta Veterans Memorial Park (a few steps from this marker); Post Office and General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Earl Atkinson, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Latta Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Latta Library: A Carnegie Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Dillon County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Latta's Railroad Story (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Edwards House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Latta.

Lower left photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vidalia Academy Marker-, '

2. Lower left photo

Vidalia Acasdemy 1898 This School photograph is probably the last taken of the students at Vidalia. It closed its doors that year.

Upper center picture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vidalia Academy Marker, `

3. Upper center picture

Pictured above is Dr. F.M. Monroe and an unidentified person with the Vidalia Academy building at its new location c. 1879.

Center left picture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vidalia Academy Marker, `

4. Center left picture

This photograph of Vidalia in disrepair appeared in a local newspaper article prior to renovation in 1966. (lower)
Workers put finishing touches on the restored Vidalia building in this 1966 article from the Dillon Herald. Note the Latta High School to left of picture.

Photographed By Vidalia Academy Marker, `

5. Lower Right Pictures
(L) Vidalia restoration completed- from article in Charleston Post and Courier September 15, 1966
(R) Vidalia Academy on property belong to LaFon and Cindy LeGette prior to removal to the park.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011

6. Vidalia Academy and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 31, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.