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SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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USC Union

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Union County / USC Union

The University of South Carolina was founded in Columbia in 1801 as South Carolina College. Since then, the school has become a university and now includes three other four-year degree campuses – also called senior campuses – across the state (one in Aiken, one in Beaufort, and one in Spartanburg). Additionally, USC operates four “Palmetto College” campuses, which are regional campuses where students can receive associate degrees on site or bachelor’s degrees online. USC-Union was established in 1965 as a two-year campus and is now part of Palmetto College.

USC-Union Main Building

James Bonetti of Greenwood, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The main building at USC-Union, shown on this page, was built in 1909 as Union High School. By 1925 the student population had grown to such an extent that the high school moved into the nearby grammar school to accommodate more students. Elementary students in turn attended school in this building, which served as Main Street Grammar School until 1948. The building then sat vacant until the University of South Carolina acquired it in 1965 and transformed the interior for its Union campus. Today the building serves as administrative offices for the school.

Union High School

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

Measuring 101′ by 71′, this formidable Neoclassical structure was designed by architect J.S. Starr and constructed by the Elliott Building Company (1). It is listed in the National Register:

(University of South Carolina-Union Administration Building) Built in 1909, Union High School is significant for its association with twentieth-century education in Union and as an intact example of the Neo-Classical style used in designing public schools. Notable features include the brick parapet, central projecting bay and large pedimented portico supported by composite columns, the double-door entrance with sidelights and semi-circular fanlight, semi-circular brick arch with voissoirs, wide frieze with dentils and modillions, and panel inscribed “1909.” The school was the first secondary school in the county and was composed of the eighth through the eleventh grades. By 1925 the number of students had increased to the extent that a move was necessary. In 1927, grammar school students were moved into the building and the name was changed to Main Street Grammar School. In 1965 the Union Campus of the University of South Carolina acquired the building and rehabilitated it to serve as its main campus building.

Main Street Grammar School in Union SC

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

Union High School: Our Sources


1. Bill Segars (photographer and historical contractor), Personal Records, Book B44-04, File # Building 3=15-202 to 219.

Plan Your Trip: USC Union

Where is USC Union located?
Address: 311 East Main Street, Union, SC 29379
GPS Coordinates: 34.715960,-81.619597
Website: http://uscunion.sc.edu
What else should I see?
Steadman-Nicholson House 0.1 mile
Judge Thomas Dawkins House 0.2 mile
Union Depot 0.2 mile
Grace United Methodist Church 0.3 mile
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Colleges
  • Union Historic Sites
    USC Union Map

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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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    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.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

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