Central School

Front inscription

This Classical Revival structure, built 1908-09 by B.E. Grandy, was originally a school for residents of the town of Central. It was designed by Christopher Gadsden Sayre, a regionally prominent architect from Mount Pleasant, S.C. The school served white children in grades 1-11, with high school students also being drawn from outlying communities. Upon its completion, the school had seven classrooms and an auditorium. An additional west wing was built in 1922.

Reverse inscription

In 1936, this became Central Elementary School after a new high school was built across Church Street. At that time, approx. 300 students in grades 1-6 attended each day. Classes were held here until 1962, when the elementary school moved across the street. This building subsequently housed a public library branch and other community programs, including the Clemson Little Theatre from 1977 to 1992. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.