Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bishopville High School

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Bishopville High School Marker

Inscription. (Front text)
This high school, built in 1936, is an excellent example of a Colonial Revival school built by the Public Works Administration (PWA), a New Deal program of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration. Designed by architect Henry Dudley Harrall (1878-1959) of Bennettsville, it was built and furnished for $71,000 and was described as “one of the most modern school plants in the state” when it was completed.

(Reverse text)
The high school featured sixteen large classrooms and a combination gymnasium and auditorium. Its first graduating class was in 1937. The school included grades 8-11 until 1947, when it added grade 12. It was expanded in 1956, 1965, and 1986 before closing in 2000 when a new high school was built south of town. This school was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

Erected 2009 by The Alumni, Former Employees, and Friends of Bishopville High School. (Marker Number 31-19.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 34° 13.435′ N, 80° 14.47′ W. Marker is in Bishopville, South Carolina, in Lee County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 15) and East College

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Street, on the left when traveling west on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bishopville SC 29010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flag Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dennis High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Apollos James House (approx. half a mile away); James Capers (approx. half a mile away); Corporal James D. Heriot (approx. half a mile away); Gratitude Train - Merci America (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Ratcliff's Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bishopville.

Regarding Bishopville High School. Bishopville High School, built in 1936, is an excellent example of the type of school architecture that flourished as a direct result of the educational reform campaign in South Carolina in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Additionally, it is a noteworthy example of the work of well-respected Bennettsville, South Carolina architect Henry Dudley Harrall. It is also significant as an excellent example of an educational building in the Colonial Revival style built during a period when emergency funds were made available and many projects of this type were completed. The original L-shaped building is a two-story masonry structure and rests on a masonry foundation.

Bishopville High School Marker, reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 18, 2010

2. Bishopville High School Marker, reverse side

The lateral gabled roof consists of a steeply-pitched A-frame with asphalt shingles. The original building’s elongated main block consists of a highly ornate rectangular central section featuring a row of twelve monumental pilasters and two-story flanking, projecting, gabled entrance pavilions. The building’s main façade features a beveled cast stone water table, a cast stone architrave resting atop the pilastrade, cast stone quoins, and a cast stone surrounded entry portal containing a frieze and cornice. At either end of the central block are symmetrical wings that are recessed and less ornate. The rear elevation is less decorative in detailing and fenestration when compared with the building’s façade. Additions to the wings of the building were made in 1956, 1965, and 1986. Listed in the National Register October 1, 2004.(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

Also see . . . Natives of Lee County South Carolina. Natives of Lee County South Carolina is the anchor site for the Friends of Bishopville High School which has a separate site for the disbursement of information on the preservation and renovation project for the school facility. (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by John Reames of Bishopville, South Carolina.)

Bishopville High School Marker seen along North Main Street (US 15, State Road 34, State Road 341) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 18, 2010

3. Bishopville High School Marker seen along North Main Street (US 15, State Road 34, State Road 341)

Bishopville High School and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 18, 2010

4. Bishopville High School and Marker

Bishopville High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 18, 2010

5. Bishopville High School

National Register of Historic Places:
Bishopville High School (added 2004 - Building - #04001087)

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 2004

6. Bishopville High School

Bishopville High School rear view image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 2004

7. Bishopville High School rear view

Photographed By Melissa Roberts, November 30, 2010

8. Bishopville High School

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,919 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 24, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Melissa Roberts of Barnwell, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.