Grays in Jasper County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Grays Consolidated High School
This school, built in 1927 and rebuilt in 1931, was one of many constructed in the late 1920s, as small rural one- or two-room schools were consolidated into elementary or high schools in towns and cities. Built on land donated by Robert L. Robinson, it included grades 1-11 until grade 12 was added in 1948-49.
( Reverse text )
This school, designed by Columbia architect James Hagood Sams (1872- 1935), was burned by an arsonist in 1929. It was rebuilt according to Sams's plans in 1931, at a cost of $14,000. The Grays Consolidated High School closed in the early 1970s. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Erected 2008 by The Grays School Preservation Committee, Alumni, and Friends of the School. (Marker Number 27-25.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Landmarks • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 32° 40.453′ N, 81° 1.269′ W. Marker is in Grays, South Carolina, in Jasper County. Marker is on Grays Hwy (US278), on the left when traveling north. Just north of SC 3, beside Fire House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Early Branch SC 29916, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pine Level Baptist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Oak Grove Baptist Church (approx. 3 miles away); Gillisonville (approx. 4.7 miles away); Gillisonville Baptist Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Coosawhatchie (approx. 8 miles away); Battle of Coosawhatchie (approx. 8.1 miles away); General Robert E. Lee (approx. 8.9 miles away); The Battle of Pocotaligo (approx. 8.9 miles away).
Regarding Grays Consolidated High School. James Sams designed many schools while in independent practice, including those in Clio, Marlboro County (1905);
Allendale, Allendale County (1907); Mayesville, Sumter County (1909); Olanta, Florence County (1909); Blossom Street, Columbia (1916); Swansea, Lexington County (1916); Neeses, Orangeburg County (1921); Industrial Building, Booker T. Washington, Columbia (1925); Lynchburg, Lee County (1925); Fairfax, Allendale County (1926); Garnett, Hampton County (1927); Hardeeville, Jasper County (1928); Ridgeland, Jasper County (1928); Yemassee, Beaufort County (1928), in addition to the Grays Consolidated High School
Also see . . . South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Constructed in 1927, the Grays School was essentially rebuilt in 1931, after an arsonist's fire ca. 1929 gutted the building, leaving the walls essentially intact. (Submitted on March 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places:
Grays Consolidated High School (added 2007 - - #07000986)
Historic Significance: Event,
Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Knopf, J.J., Sames, James Hagood
Architectural Style: Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Area of Significance: Education, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1925-1949
Owner: Local
Historic Function: Education
Historic Sub-function: School
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
— Submitted August 31, 2011.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,558 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on January 11, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.