The two-story building next to St. Paul CME Church initially served as a lodge. Built in 1870, the building is believed to have ties to the prominent Dickson (Amanda America Dickson Toomer) and Hubert families of Hancock County.
In the early 1950s, it served as a school after a nearby one had burned. The building was no longer used once school consolidation was implemented in the late 1950s.
If you’re driving up Hwy 22 towards the interstate, you may see this plantation plain. Most of it is usually obscured by trees and bushes. I was lucky to catch it after most of it was trimmed down.
It is believed this building was constructed in the 1830s.
From the Sparta-Hancock Historical Society’s Walking Tour, “The house has an older section dating to perhaps in 1820z In 1840 it was turned into a four-square with a center hall. Italianate trim around the eaves indicate this was added when the style became popular in the 1850s. It was the home of Sparta Mayor Robert H. Lewis, who also served in the state legislature. His tenure as mayor extended the town limits and built a new school in 1895. He and his brother Sidney co-edited the Sparta Ishmaelite newspaper.”
The Hickory Grove School was associated with the Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Despite it looking like a Rosenwald, it is not one. Until consolidation, this school was used until 1959 to educate the Black schoolchildren of the area.
More information can be found at this blog.
