Dillon County · Marker 17-16
Leland Grove School
S.C. Hwy. 57, just N of Bakers Mill Rd., Leland Grove community, Clio vicinity
Front inscription
This is one of a few American Indian schools in S.C., built in 1934 as a one-room school. It averaged about 50 Lumbee Indian students a year, from the Carolinas community and other areas of Dillon and Marlboro Counties. At first for grades 1-7, it later added grades 8-12, building a second room in 1940. James Knox Braboy (1906-1976) was principal, teacher, and custodian 1934-1970.
Reverse inscription
Braboy, a Lumbee Indian and native of N.C., was named S.C. Teacher of the Year in 1970 for his dedication to his students. He walked them to school across the McInnis Bridge over the Little Pee Dee River before the county bought a bus, then drove the bus for many years. Leland Grove School closed after the 1969-1970 school year with the desegregation of S.C. schools.