This now-vacant building in the Marlboro County town of McColl was built as a high school in 1920, though construction had begun two years earlier. The school was made of imported European brick and designed by architect Henry Dudley Harrall. It was named in honor of Robert Fletcher, who died in World War I on October 7, 1918. His body was relocated from France to McColl to be buried in the Fletcher family cemetery.
The Fletchers of Marlboro County were a farming family whose ancestors relocated to rural South Carolina in 1816 by way of Virginia and North Carolina. Robert Fletcher’s father, William, and his uncle, Jesse Adams Fletcher, were prosperous farmers during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, known for their expansive acreage of farmland that at one time numbered 1,800 acres in Marlboro County and 2,100 acres in neighboring North Carolina. The family also operated a lucrative cotton seed oil mill and a sawmill.
After Robert Fletcher died of mustard gas poisoning during the Great War, his father and uncle wanted to honor him by opening a school for rural students that focused on both academic and agricultural education. The school was well-received by the people of Marlboro County, as it boasted not only a strong farming focus but also traditional studies and an impressive music department complete with an orchestra. The Fletcher brothers personally paid the teachers’ salaries during the school’s first years of operation until the public agreed to support it with taxes.
Building a local school in Robert’s memory was fitting. Robert Fletcher had valued his own education, having attended the Pine Grove School, which once sat where the school bearing his name was built. Fletcher then attended Wofford College in Spartanburg before returning to his home to farm. In 1924 the Fletcher brothers attempted to convert the Robert Fletcher Memorial School into a college that would commemorate all South Carolinians lost in World War I. They offered to purchased additional land and add modern facilities to the school, but the plan was voted down by the state legislature.
The Robert Fletcher Memorial School operated as a public school from 1920 until 1985. It was consolidated with other local public schools in 1951. Today Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville serves all of the students in the county. The Fletcher School building was sold in 1989 for $15,000; it now stands in disrepair. The teacherage, or building that housed the teachers, was built the same year as the school and can be seen below. This teacherage also accommodated boarding students who attended the school from across the county. It was built next to the school and was also designed by Harrall.
Much of the above information is attributed to Marlboro County resident Mattie Frank Carraway.
Interior Pictures of Robert Fletcher Memorial School
More Pictures of Robert Fletcher Memorial School
Reflections on Robert Fletcher Memorial School
Contributor Gerald B. Locklear shares: “In August of 1978 we departed the school bus and walked up the steps to Fletcher School. For the past two years we had been tormented by the kids ahead of us about the school being haunted. As Tommy said, the pictures were painted in such a style where they appeared to follow you with their eyes. We were warned to no go to the bathroom alone or into the auditorium. All of us heard things from time to time but it was a magnificent building. Our class did a mosaic of the school and the church. For years both could be seen at the museum in Bennettsville but I don’t know where they would be now. This past weekend I took my sons by and showed them what was once a true gem of our town’s history.”
Can anyone tell me who owns the Fletcher Memorial School as of today?
As for turning it into a park, I live close by and don’t want any park or campground. This is a quiet neighborhood and I want it to remain as such.
I am Debora Everett. Fletcher Everett, now deceased, lived just past pond and his grandmother, Corine Fletcher, was a direct descendant as well. There is additionally a church directly across the street from school that family started. Also, Corine Fletcher and Mary Anne F. Everett were teachers there. I would love to see any info you have. Thank you.
I went to Fletcher in the 6th and 7th grade – 1960. I rode the bus from McColl to the school. It seemed so isolated. It was out in the middle of nowhere. I had to stay after school once, so I missed the bus to go back to McColl. That was a horrible day. I had to walk back to McColl. I don’t remember my teacher’s name, but she was mean and didn’t care how I got home. I still had to stay. Don’t remember the circumstances. I was praying I’d get out of there before I lost my mind. I actually hated that school. It was scary to be there. I was in trouble with my dad that day too. He went looking for me when I wasn’t home when he thought I should be. It was a long walk home. That should never had happened, knowing the only way home for students to get back to McColl was to ride the bus. I hope they do demolish that building. It may be a historical building to some people, but it has bad memories for me.
I’m so grateful to learn more about the history of this beautiful place from those who experienced the school in her former glory. Thank you for sharing your memories and lineages with us!
I was wondering if anyone might be familiar with the history of the graveyard that lies adjacent to the building? Very few of the markers bear any legible inscriptions. But there is one resting place towards the front of the property by the fence with a small plaque dedicated to “Mr. Allen Thomas (09/12/1949 – 12/23/2013).” Would anyone know if this burial ground is for former pupils or instructors perhaps? I’m just trying to honor their memory by doing my part in not letting their legacies fade into obscurity as more years pass. Thank you!
What a wonderful goal, Nicole! We hope that you will be successful and that stories will emerge about these graves.
William A. Gibson – please feel free to contact me directly at scotte@americascuisine.com.
I attended McColl Fletcher Memorial School in fourth and fifth grades in 1979 and 1980. I remember having class in the basement and also lunch in the basement. I remember our physical education class teaching us how to square dance in this old school. The picture in the auditorium was very spooky. The eyes did follow you everywhere you walked. The stairs were very, very creaky and old. Everyone felt this building was haunted when we attended. I have not been in this building since I left fifth grade. I still reside in our small town today and teach at Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville, South Carolina. This is my home and I am grateful that this piece of history is important to so many different people. I would love for this building to be refurbished and used for something for our community. I wish I had the money to do so.
I am the grandson of William Nelson Gibson and a nephew of Bett Gibson and “Dink” Gibson who were teachers at the time I went to school there, 1931 thru 1934. One of the things I remember is one year at the end of school when they gave perfect attendance and honor roll certificates, one of my classmates was named Charles Parker. Charles lived on the road towards Gibson, N.C. about 3 blocks from the school. Charles had a large dog named “Rusty” that came to school with him in the morning. When school started Rusty would go home and come back at recess and at lunch time. When the perfect attendance certificates were given there was a Perfect Attendance Certificate for Rusty Parker.
I attended the McColl school from 1931 to 1934. I am going to try to contact Scott Nichols. He had some info that was interesting to me in one of these articles.
It’s the end of October 2019 and this structure is deteriorating fast. I live 20 miles away and visit the site often. In 2015 all the floors in the front of the school were still intact; now they have all caved in down to basement level. It is no longer safe to go into the boiler room in the basement. All windows and florescent lights are broken. All wood is water damaged. I won’t go back into it anymore. Beautiful front columns still look new and the imported bricks (should have bought them from local source to create jobs) will remain standing for a couple of hundred more years.
I am a direct descendant of Thomas R. Fletcher, Robert Fletcher’s grandfather. My great-great-aunt was Caroline “Dink” Gibson, who was well known in the area. I have a couple of pictures of Robert as a young boy and a picture of his casket at his funeral. My grandmother, Edna Earle Fletcher, graduated from the school in 1925. I have her graduation announcement. I also have a number of pictures of residents of the McColl/Gibson area from the late 1800’s. Most are Gibsons but there are several Lytch, Bullard, Davis, and Adams. I would be happy to forward digital copies to anyone who is interested. My direct email is scotte@americascuisine.com
I went to this school in 4th and 5th grade and have found memories of it. I started my journey there in the remedial class, known as the D Section because my test scores hadn’t been sent yet. I was promptly moved to the A section in the right side basement. I live in Kentucky now, but was just there a few days ago. A group of us should come together to buy the property and turn it into a park or campground. I relish the memories of the principal throwing and punting footballs to us on the playground/field to the right of the school as I am sure many of us do.
This is the first school I attended in McColl. 1952. Went by to see it a few years ago. Still have memories.
I remember going there along with my brother Ronald. I remember Mrs. Linda Fields being one of my teachers and Mrs. Hatcher was another. I enjoyed the large playground, but the hallways were always creepy to me.
In August of 1978 we departed the school bus and walked up the steps to Fletcher School. For the past two years we had been tormented by the kids ahead of us about the school being haunted. As Tommy said, the pictures were painted in such a style where they appeared to follow you with their eyes. We were warned to no go to the bathroom alone or in the auditorium. All of us heard things from time to time but it was a magnificent building. Our class did a mosaic of the school and the church. For years both could be seen at the museum in Bennettsville but I don’t know where they would be now. This past weekend I took my sons by and showed them what was once a true gem of our town’s history.
What a beautiful reflection on what once was, Gerald. Thank you so much for sharing. Would you mind if we added this under the reflections section so it could be seen higher on the page, to your credit?
How can I become a member of the SC Picture Project?
By all means, please add it.
Thank you so much!
I went to school here, my class room was the first room on the left as you went in the front door. I can still remember my teacher’s name, it was Mrs. Nelson, she was a young lady. My last name then was Parham.
My father, James Lytch, was one of the early graduates of Fletcher-Memorial School. Not many years after this, my mother, Mary Grier of Mayesville, went there to teach. The young single men in the community would go to the teacherage across the street to meet the new lady teachers. My parents had me and married after Daddy came back from the second World War. My dad was employed in the post office in McColl. My mother spent her remaining years in McColl. Seeing these pictures brought back so many great memories of mine and my parents’ lives. My dad was also a member of Pine Grove Methodist Church, along with the other families in the community. I would be interested in hearing about other teachers there too.
I know it’s not safe and all, but somehow, someway, someone needs to have the fire department tear it down, room by room, or something so at least someone can get to the drawers or see if anything valuable was left behind.
I fell in love with the building about four years ago when I went to see it after hearing it was haunted. I said if there was any way. I would love to see this beautiful building restored to its original beauty.
I’ve heard that the school is haunted from a few different people that have been inside at night. Does anyone know of anything tragic that could have happened here that would be the cause of which or if it just comes from being old.
I heard there was a body found hanging in there several years ago.
The hanging was at Adamsville Middle School!
Would anyone have any pictures from around 1974 to about 1976 of the school, inside and out?
Hi, my name is Kim Locklear and I went to Fletcher Memorial about 1974-1976, 4th and 5th grades at this time, and it was a time in life as kids knew all too well, life was great. I met my first girl friend here, her name was Mary Dee Hardy. After finishing the fifth grade, I would go on to Adamsville and she would go to school in Bennettsville. Went by to get a look at the school today and it is sad to see the disrepair the old place is in. I could almost hear and see all of us kids playing on the playground, swinging, hanging from the monkey bars and oh yeah, going down to the basement to eat lunch. I hope that someone will read this and they will respond not only in words but with some pictures from that time frame – who knows we may have went to school there, this is to the memories at Fletcher Memorial School. Thanks, Kim Locklear.
Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us! We hope they will reach someone who has photos and more stories to share as well. We love to read them!
A good friend of mine was telling me about a time they were taking a nature trip with the class when they stumbled upon some old graves. They were scared to death! The teacher ended the expedition of course!
There is a old graveyard to the left of the school.
I went to 4th and 5th grade at Fletcher from 1978-1980. My 4th grade class was on the front right basement. I remember the basement hallway was creepy as were the stairways leaning down. The auditorium featured a picture of Mr. Fletcher that hung on the upper right wall. No matter where you sat in the auditorium, Mr. Fletcher’s eyes would follow you and stare you down. The science lab on the top floor was rarely used. It had really old specimens in formadahyde from another era covered in dust (and this was the late 1970s). Really weird feelings in there. My best memories were from the huge playground. I can still see and hear the fun and laughter of children out there even though the playground is now growed over with woods.
Tommy, we appreciate this info so much. Would you mind if we added this as a reflection on the page? It would list your name, as well as your current town. Basically this just takes the comment you left and places it higher on the page and people can read it more prominently than being down in the comments section. You can reply to this comment or email us at share@scpictureproject.org, thank you so much again, we really appreciate you sharing your memories!
Hey Kim. Neville and I took the boys by Saturday and told them that’s where all of us went to 4th and 5th grade.
I actually have quite a few pictures of the property from back in 2014/2015. We even decided to capture some of the interior. Our trip was more so for the paranormal side of things. Don’t get me wrong, I still went for the history and view of the relics, we just so happened to capture some pretty odd, yet terrifying things on camera during the daylight hours. I love the property and building!
Yes, my father knew a little about the origin and knew the young veteran who gave his life. I worked in the schools close by for years and here a little too. My father descends from the Walters that made the Carolina Border in 1729 and went trough that flu when they were young just after the World War I. Many students and parents in the area knew a lot. They should make a memorial park out of the area. Yes there is a lot more history of the area if people come forward and share.
I was wondering if you are the Mr. Johnson who was the librarian at McColl High School 1986-1989?
Next week, I will be 75 years old. Made a boo-boo, started school in 1947,not 1948.
I had six brothers and one sister. I started there in 1948, my teacher Mrs. Rodgers taught all of us in the first grade. She told my mom, when my youngest brother began, Mrs. Walters, I have taught all of your children, now I shall retire. Mattie Carraway and I graduated from McColl High School in 1959. A lot of fond memories. I would love to purchase the pictures, if possible.
Are you any kin to the set of Walters that are kin to Eli Pete Walters?
I was wondering who currently owns the property that the school is on.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, Fletcher Memorial was part of the McColl schools its last couple of decades. McColl schools were called McColl-Fletcher Memorial Schools when I attended school for 6th and 7th grades at “Fletcher” in the late 60’s. Mama taught there for many years. She was Principal of the school in the late 50’s when it was not part of the McColl schools and they had high school there. We all made special memories there.
No words, it is a glory to know the history of this building. I hope they don’t tear it down. Make something useful out of it, maybe even a campground.
My father, Thomas A. Emanuel graduated from Fletcher School in its last graduating class. He often speaks of how beautiful the school was. I have toured the inside of the ruins and it is still obvious that much care and design went into the building.
We agree, it is an absolutely remarkable building!
I want to buy this if the structure is strong.
In the town of McColl? That school is too far out in the country to be described as in town, in my opinion, just a suggestion. It is a shame it is in such bad shape. It appears to have been very well constructed.
It’s considered McColl for mailing address purposes.
I believe that Fletcher Memorial’s physical placement, although not in the town of McColl proper, was in the McColl School District. Miss Mattie Frank Carraway can bear me out on this as most of us whom I know were always taught that this area was and is still known as Fletcher Community. Others who know the history include Ms. Buck Bethea, who is 92 and taught school, Margery Hubbard Ballowe and Hampton Hubbard whose mother, Ms. Mary Alma Hubbard taught English, and Mr. Oscar Fletcher’s daughter, Virginia Fletcher McCraw, I’ve always thought that it was quite a feat that the school was even constructed as you will note that in 1918 soldiers of World War I entered New York Harbor to make their ways home. With them, many carried the Spanish Influenza, and a pandemic of catastrophic proportions ensued. In Marlboro County, it spread like wildfire and my father, Col. Le Roy M. Stanton, said that almost every man in Tatum, SC and the area died. Black and white alike died as the Spanish Influenza was an equal opportunity killer. This included his father–my grandfather, James Alexander Stanton and my grandfather’s brother LeRoy Stanton, called “Doc”. They died on the same day, within hours of one another. “Old-timers” in Marlboro County still speak of it and tell the story. Uncle Doc was Mary Leroy Stanton Stillwell’s father and our cousin. With so little manpower available, the construction of Fletcher Memorial was a truly extraordinary accomplishment. A fitting tribute to Robert Fletcher, it’s construction made certain that although gone, he would not be forgotten. Forgive my verbosity, but your post took me back into times which are gone, but like Fletcher Memorial, gone but not forgotten. Sometimes we must continue to tell the story….. We may be the last ones who know it.
What a moving testimony to the importance of the past and how it represents the present, please do not apologize, we enjoyed every single word of that, thank you!
Thanks for the history lesson. It’s good to be reminded sometimes.