Pickens High School (South Carolina)
| Pickens High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Pickens, South Carolina | |
| Coordinates | 34°54′22″N 82°42′59″W / 34.9062°N 82.7163°WCoordinates: 34°54′22″N 82°42′59″W / 34.9062°N 82.7163°W |
Pickens High School is a high school in Pickens, South Carolina. It is the second largest high school in the Pickens County School District in South Carolina, next to Easley High School.
Pickens High School was founded in 1870 as Pickens Institute. It has been serving Pickens County longer than the local university, Clemson University.
Professor James H. Carlisle was one of the first to direct the school. James P. Carey, who became principal around 1881, fought endlessly for much needed improvements in the school system. Along with Professor Dreher of Liberty, Carey pushed for a graded school system used by various schools throughout the state. His plan, which would divide the students into separate classes or grades, each taught by a different teacher, was abandoned after many unsuccessful attempts. The original Pickens academy In use from 1871 through 1881.
Carey resigned from his position in October 1881 and soon after, a plan to leave the dilapidated building was made. The start of 1882 brought Professor W. Miller McCaslan to the new Main Street Pickens High School. McCaslan brought many new and exciting changes to the school. Two equal sessions divided the school year that was now to run for 10 months. The school began to flourish, boasting a rising student population, which brought higher tuition and more State money to be used towards the school. In mid-October, attendance was reduced; students were forced to leave school to pick cotton. During the previous interim of 1883, Pickens High School had informally adopted the name “Pickens Institute,” or “Piedmont Institute.” Dedication Day was April 20, 1883 and honored the opening of the new Victorian-style school building. Many classes offered to students included Latin, Greek and Mental and Moral Sciences, topographical and mechanical drawing, mathematics, military training, and music, along with the traditional courses. During 1884, the enrollment reached 137 pupils. The rules and regulations impended on the students by McCaslan were still in effect, including a rule preventing female students from going out during the week.
Before the second term of 1887, the McCaslan family left the Piedmont Institute. The retired Dr. Riley and Dr. Neil W. McCauley took over operations of the school. The debt on the school left by McCaslan was still under mortgage and up to Riley and McCauley to deal with. The stockholders decided to put the school and its property up for sale in September 1887. Efforts to raise money to keep the school were unsuccessful. Former principal James P. Carey bought the property at the auction. He and his family moved in shortly after. The school was conducted at an unknown location by Miss Laura Ellis, followed by Miss Sallie Robinson on the bottom floor of the Masonic Lodge. This is where the Pickens Drug Store stands today. The house of former Attorney R. A. Child was soon after purchased as the new location of the Piedmont Institute. The following years brought as much exciting and new experiences as the previous. The school continued to flourish and thrive, gaining more and more students every session. Mr. Dendy was superintendent of the school from 1900 through 1905, followed by Mr. Swittenberg, serving from 1906 through 1910. Many other men who served in this position over the next years followed him.
...
Wikipedia