Bluffton in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Michael C. Riley Schools

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008

1. Michael C. Riley Schools Marker...Front

Inscription.
This is the site of two schools that served the black community of southern Beaufort County for most of the twentieth century. Bluffton Graded School, a small frame building constructed about 1900, was followed in 1954 by an elementary and high school named for Michael C. Riley (1873-1966), longtime trustee of Beaufort County School District #2.

From 1954 to 1970 the elementary school educated Bluffton's black students in grades 1~8 and the high school educated Bluffton's and Hilton Head's black students in grades 9~12. After county schools were desegregated in 1970, it was an elementary school for Bluffton's black and white students until 1991. A new Michael C. Riley Elementary School opened nearby that same year.

Erected 2002 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by The Michael C. Riley High School Alumni Assc. (Marker Number 7-29.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 32° 14.462′ N, 80° 51.752′ W. Marker is in Bluffton, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is on Goethe Road, on the left when traveling south. At the M C Riley Recreational Complex. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bluffton SC 29910, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry

and on the Sea Islands.

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 New Spain,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bluffton (approx. ¼ mile away); Town of Bluffton, South Carolina (approx. ¼ mile away); Campbell Chapel A.M.E. (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Burning of Bluffton (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Town of Bluffton, South Carolina (approx. half a mile away); First Zion Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); Bluffton United Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Church of the Cross (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluffton.

Reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008

2. Reverse side

a part of the MC Riley Complex image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008

3. a part of the MC Riley Complex

Michael C. Riley Schools Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Glen Umberger, March 29, 2023

4. Michael C. Riley Schools Marker

The MC Riley Compex (Recreational Park) now sits on the school site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008

5. The MC Riley Compex (Recreational Park) now sits on the school site

MC Riley sports complex on the old school site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008

6. MC Riley sports complex on the old school site

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,210 times since then and 349 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 29, 2023, by Glen Umberger of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.