Berkeley County · Marker 08-82
Oakley School
Old U.S. Hwy. 52 approx. 500 ft. S of Oakley Rd., Oakley
Front inscription
This was the site of a public school for African American residents of the Oakley community, originally known as Oakley Depot. In 1922 the Spiritual Union Association, a local Black benevolent society, acquired four acres of land at this site. They eventually built a wooden meeting hall that also served as Oakley School. The school enrolled students in grades 1-7.
Reverse inscription
Oakley School was part of Berkeley Co. School District No. 11 (Whitesville) but remained the property of the Spiritual Union Association. Around 100 students attended each year. It closed in 1955 as part of the consolidation of Berkeley Co. schools, after which Oakley students attended Whitesville Elementary School (approx. 3 mi. NW). Only ruins remain of Oakley School.