Trenton in Edgefield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bettis Academy
19th Century Education for African Americans
Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008
1. Bettis Academy Marker
Bettis Academy and Junior College, a private school for African Americans, was founded in 1881 by Rev. Alexander Bettis, a former slave who was taught to read by his owner's wife, but was never taught to write. A Baptist Minister, he established Bettis Academy based on religious principles and Christian character; and served as the school's president until his death on May 13, 1895.
Its beginning was a one-room frame structure with one teacher and a few students. In addition to its religious principles, the academy also emphasized teaching education and industrial training. The school was incorporated in 1889 and accredited as a junior college in 1933. When it closed in 1952, Bettis had 14 major buildings and some 350 acres of land.
Erected by South Carolina Heritage Corridor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1893.
Location. 33° 39.467′ N, 81° 51.567′ W. Marker is in Trenton, South Carolina, in Edgefield County. Marker is on Nicholson Road. Marker is located in the parking lot to the right of Biddle Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trenton SC 29847, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Bettis Academy. South Carolina Department of Archives and History website entry:
Bettis Academy and Junior College, established in 1881 and closed in 1952, is significant for its role in the primary, secondary, and higher education of African Americans in what is now Edgefield, Aiken, Greenwood, and Saluda Counties from the late nineteenth through the mid-twentieth century. (Submitted on October 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. The Bettis Academy: Restoration, Preservation, Heritage Museum, and Tourist Project. Local Legacies website entry:
Founded by Rev. Alexander Bettis, a former slave, the Bettis Academy was established as a school for African-Americans at a time when educational opportunities for blacks were practically
Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008
2. Bettis Academy Marker
3. Brief Sketch of the Life and Labors of Rev. Alexander Bettis by Alfred W. Nicholson. Documenting the American South website entry:
(Submitted on October 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Thank you
I was looking into my family history from this area and did not know much till I found this site. My grand father was Alex Bettis Hammond and his mother and father lived there. I visited there from NYC as a kid to see them but just that one time. My family has been there a long long time and we still have land there. If any Mackey from there reads this, we are family. God bless all of you.
— Submitted May 26, 2010, by Brian Keith Barksdale of Olanta SC, Folrence.
Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008
3. Biddle Hall (1942)
One of the few surviving buildings from the academy, Biddle Hall was a "state of the art" home economics facility. It has been restored and now houses an African American history museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,264 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
