The Greenville News

Sunday, December 13, 1936

Greenville, S.C.

Taylors Community Proud of New Grammar School

$52,000 Building Provided Auditorium And Much Needed Facilities

In 1880 the only school for the children of Taylors, Chick Springs, and surrounding community was situated just north of Chick Springs. There was no place called Taylors at that time, the postoffice being at Chick Springs. The school building was a wooden, frame building with only one room. It stood across the road from where Adam’s Filling station now stands. Practically none of the land was cleared and the school was surrounded by woods.

THE RAILS ARRIVE

A few years prior to 1880 the Richmond and Danville Airline railway was run through Taylors. This line was later changed to Southern Railway. The train stopped at Taylor’s station to replenish its wood supply. The citizens of the community decided to move the postoffice over from Chick Springs to Taylors. After the removal of the postoffice, there came a desire to move the school. The trustees did not feel they could afford to build a new building so plans were made to move the old one over to the new location. They cut the building into light parts and moved them over on wagons drawn by mules. Standards were placed on the wagon beds to hold up the building. It was said that in some places the road was so narrow that some of the trees had to be cut down. The site selected for the school was a spot close to where now stands the Taylor’s Baptist Church.

School in those days was different from that of today. There were no grades and outlined course of study. Every student was started in Webster’s Blue Black speller. Before the pupils finished school, they had to complete their speller, Sanford’s arithmetic, Quackenboss’ grammar, Appelton’s reader, Suinton’s history, and Cornell’s geography.

The school was heated by a single barrel stove. When more wood was needed, some of the larger boys were sent out into the woods to get some.

School began about eight o’clock and lasted until three-thirty or four o’clock. The teacher was elected to teach for only a few months. If a longer session was to be held, the teacher had to go around the community and secure subscriptions. An eight or nine months school was unthought of. The school usually ran four months in winter and two in the summer.

The trustees of the school at that time were Alfred Taylor, Robert Gibson, and H. M. Barton. The teacher was Miss Maggie Brown.

ATTENDED OLD SCHOOL

Some of the attendants of the old school are still living in and around Taylors. They are: Charles Hill, Charles Hammett, John Locke, John Freemen, Joe Freeman, C. E. Shockley, W. A. Hammett, Mrs. C. S. Hill, Mrs. W. A. Hammett, Mrs. A. G. Taylor, Vance Crowder, Jim Crowder, John McConnell, Jean McConnell, Luther Cannada, Mrs. John Freeman, Misses Mamie and Hattie Barton, A. G. Taylor, Mrs. J. B. Glenn and Mrs. B. F. Flynn.

The population of the community began to grow and in the early 1890’s the trustees and patrons recognized the need for a new school. About 1895 a three-room building was built as a community project. There was no sale of bonds, but every patron had to do his part. Some gave lumber, some money, and others served as carpenters.

The school moved to the present site in 1917. A two story brick veneer building was constructed. Quoting A.G. Taylor, a trustee at that time, “The trustees felt that the new school would prove adequate for all years to come.” The building contained four large classrooms, and an auditorium. Mr. Taylor has been a student, teacher, trustee, and patron of the school.

Mrs. Harvin, principle of the school at that time, succeeded in placing the school on the state accredited list. The standards were raised but it was only a few years until Taylors was dropped from the list.

HOWARD HEADS SCHOOL

In 1922 H. J. Howard was made superintendent of the school. Once again efforts were made to raise the standards of the school and place it on the state accredited list. This was done in 1923. Mr. Howard remained at Taylors for three years going from there to Landrum. During his first year away, State High school diplomas were awarded the first graduating class.

In 1925 Mr. Dunn came to Taylors as superintendent. Following him was E. C. Shockley. The old school was so crowded that there was hardly sitting space for all the children. In 1928 a new high school was built. At that time the building was considered as being very modern. It contained a domestic science department, a science laboratory and eight large class rooms.

After an absence of four years Mr. Howard came back to Taylors and since that time has been in charge of the school. Due to his untiring efforts he school was a member of the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and colleges in 1935.

Many changes have taken place since Mr. Howard’s return to Taylors. In 1931 a field gymnasium was built. Taylors began to take a more active part in county athletics. More football and basketball games were placed on the schedule. At all county contests one could find Taylors well represented. Nor did the school broaden out only in athletics. The music department began to gain recognition for its chorus work. Taylors also boasted of a full-time piano teacher.

Due to the erection of the Southern Bleachery and Piedmont Printworks, the attendance of the school began to gain in leaps and bounds. Children from the Brushy creek, Reids, Fairview and Rock Hill grammar schools started to come to Taylors to High school. There was scarcely room for all the children and every spot available for classes was used.

In 1933 there arose a need to serve some kind of lunch at school. This task was undertaken by the Domestic Science department. There was not enough available space and the school had practically no equipment, but the girls under the direction of a capable teacher managed to serve an attractive meal for the sum of 10 cents. This, however, proved to be another argument for a new building.

NEED MORE ROOM

In 1935 plans were started toward getting a new grammar school with an auditorium. The trustees, R. J. Stephenson, C. S. Hammett, and A. Alewine, along with every patron of the school put forth every effort for a new building. Success rewarded their efforts and the new building was secured as a PWA project. It cost about $ 52,000.

In the spring of 1936 the new building was on its way. Henry Trott, architect, drew the plans and the contract was given to Gallivan Construction company. The building was completed in August. The old building that was erected in 1917 was torn down. This gave more space for playground activities.

The new building is one that every person in Taylors is proud of. It is modern colonial in type, built of red brick, and with its tall, white columns presents a beautiful appearance. It consists of new classrooms; a kitchen equipped with many modern conveniences; a large room adjoining the kitchen, which is used to serve the meals. This room has new modern tables, and chairs, and the children are served in a cafeteria style. There is a restroom for teachers and two large toilets. The auditorium is the greatest asset of all. It is built on the ground floor, and has a seating capacity of seven hundred and thirty-five. The stage is complete with blue velour curtain. A grand piano has replaced the old one. A radio has been installed and is now being used to music appreciation purposes and for class-work in the gymnasium.

SCHOOL PROGRESSES

The school is still progressing. A full time art and writing teacher is employed. Public school music has been added to the grammar school course of study. In the High school are also changes: Typing, manual arts, a good business course, chorus work, physical education, and many other activities have been added to the course of study. The school has been very fortunate in securing a full-time athletic director.

The faculty is as follows: H. J. Howard, superintendent; I. H. Ours, principal; Smith Carter, English, history; Lyles Alley, science, physical education; Mattie Lee Cox, French, algebra; Sara Stewart, home economics; Lyda Lee, typewriting, music; Josephine Inabinet, English, library; Jeanette Floyd, seventh grade; Rosa Lanford, sixth grade; Maggie Castles, fifth grade; Mrs. Thomas Taylor, fourth grade; Edyth Thurston, third grade; Robbie Harris, second grade; Mrs. Bessie Hutchins, first grade, and Lillian Jeter, art and writing.