• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

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.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Cooper’s Academy

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Williamsburg County / Cooper’s Academy

Update: Cooper’s Academy is no longer standing as of April, 2017.

What remains of Cooper’s Academy stands in the Williamsburg County hamlet of Cades. Built in 1905, the private school was established by Moses Cooper, H.J. Cooper, and Ada Martin for African-American children. The school served local students but also included dormitories for students who lived in communities where black children had no access to education.

Cooper's Academy Cades

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The school was originally called Cooper’s Academy, Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Youth but eventually was shortened to Cooper’s Academy. Though local residents raised and contributed funds for the school, a modest tuition was required of students in order to keep the school in operation. It remained a private academy until 1927.

Cooper's Academy Historic Marker

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

From 1927 until 1958 the school continued as a black public school serving the Williamsburg County school district. In 1958 two black public schools consolidated, forcing Cooper’s Academy to close. Schools in Williamsburg County slowly began desegregating in 1965, though the county was not officially desegregated until 1970. Desegregation was difficult in rural pockets of the county where few-to-no white students lived.

Coopers Academy Marker

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

According to the document, School Desegregation in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, in 1968, there were 886 students in Cades attending school in kindergarten through 12th grade; all were black. In neighboring Hebron, 271 students – all white – attended school in the same grades. When Cades-Hebron High school was established, the numbers of both black and white students became more balanced.

Today the shell of Cooper’s Academy rests on land owned by Bethesda United Methodist Church.

More Pictures of Cooper’s Academy


Cooper Academy

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Cooper's Academy

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Cooper's Academy Side

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Cooper’s Academy

Where is Cooper’s Academy located?
Address: 2000 Cade Road, Cades, SC 29518
GPS Coordinates: 33.762097,-79.672758
What else should I see?
Bethesda United Methodist Church 0.1 mile
Little Hobcaw 6.8 miles
Browntown 8.2 miles
Cades Depot 10.7 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Bygone Landmarks
  • See other South Carolina Schools
    Cooper’s Academy Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Default ThumbnailSalters Brick School Old Angelus SchoolAngelus School Pride ParkPride Park Cedar Wreath School MarkerCedar Wreath School Workman Abandoned HouseWorkman Crossroads

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lessie white says

      September 12, 2017 at 4:28 PM

      Please try and save this peace of history.

      Reply
    2. St Mary School says

      February 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM

      I would love to fine our old school, St. Mary School, on Highway 527 the new Sumter Highway in Kingstree, South Carolinas.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    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.

    Footer

    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.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved