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Pryor Colored School

SC PICTURE PROJECT 6 Comments

SC Picture Project / Chester County / Pryor Colored School

After several unsuccessful attempts to raise funding for relocation, the Pryor Colored School was unfortunately demolished in 2018.

This rural Chester schoolhouse stands on private property. Built in 1898 for African-American students in the community, it was likely supported by a church of the same name which has been lost to time. The school operated until 1956; during the 1950s, many schools consolidated, leaving small schoolhouses such as this one empty.

Pryor Colored School

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In order to stave off integration, South Carolina began building new schools for black students in 1951 that were known as “equalization” schools, though most were not equal to their white counterparts. Despite Brown vs. Board of Education, which in 1954 ordered schools to desegregate, most South Carolina schools did not actually desegregate until the 1960s and early 1970s.

Pryor Colored School

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

During the 1980s, a local family leased the land on which the school stands and grew fruit and corn on the property. The schoolhouse was used as a fruit stand to sell the family’s harvests. Today the school remains in the hands of private owners. The building and contents are well-maintained, appearing as though students could be called to class at any moment. The owners are actively looking to find a place to relocate the school so that it can continue to be preserved.

Pryor School Interior

Charles Payne of Rock Hill, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

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More Pictures of Pryor Colored School


Pryor Colored School Chester

Charles Payne of Rock Hill, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Pryor Colored School Info


Address: Lancaster Highway, Chester, SC 29706
GPS Coordinates: 34.732720,-81.122765

Pryor Colored School Map



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Plan Your Trip: Pryor Colored School

Where is Pryor Colored School located?
Address: Lancaster Highway, Chester, SC 29706
GPS Coordinates: 34.732720,-81.122765
What else should I see?
Cedarleaf Farm 3.5 miles
Lewis Inn 5.1 miles
Brainerd Institute 7.5 miles
Pressly-White House 8.7 miles
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    Pryor Colored School Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Logan Gibbons says

      October 28, 2018 at 10:37 PM

      It was demolished. There is roadwork and sewer lines going on at the location, and the owner tried to secure financing for a relocation, but was unsuccessful.

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        October 29, 2018 at 3:14 PM

        Thank you so much for the update, Logan, we really appreciate the information!

        Reply
    2. Anita Gill says

      October 5, 2018 at 5:18 PM

      The school has been moved or demolished. It no longer sits where it used to.

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        October 6, 2018 at 2:28 PM

        Oh no! Thank you for this update, we will try to find out what happened definitively, we appreciate the help.

        Reply
    3. Marcella Johnson Torbit says

      February 14, 2018 at 5:11 AM

      I attended Pryor school through the 4th grade. At that time in 1956, it was closed. We began attending Southside Elementary School. It is my prayer that the school will continue to be preserved.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        February 15, 2018 at 2:47 AM

        Wonderful to hear of a personal connection, we can only hope the same for this incredible place from our history. Do you have any memories of the place that stood out? How things ran, how many teachers there were, what your favorite subjects were or how the normal day went? It is so fascinating to hear the stories of these places that are closed now.

        Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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