The Girard Elementary School, an equalization school, in Burke County, Georgia was recently put on the National Register of Historic Places. It was one of six schools built to continue segregation in the county, while replacing one and two room schools that were spread throughout the county. This building includes four classrooms, a library, and a cafeteria. It opened in 1955.
The Poplar Spring School sits on the grounds of the Poplar Spring United Methodist Church. Built when the church was a part of Campbell County, this is a beautiful example of a one-teacher type school.
The church began in 1867 in a brush arbor. This is at least the third physical structure the church has had in it’s history. You can read more of their history on the chirch’s website. Outside of the church and school, there is a small cemetery and picnic area on the church grounds.
Built in 1925 for $3600, the Tallahassee School in Hazlehurst, Georgia is a two-teacher school in desperate need of attention. While there has been a renewed interest in these schools, this is one where it seems to have been in a similar state for years now. I hope there will be a community effort to save this historical school.
This Meriwether County Rosenwald school sits just off the downtown area in Manchester. It was built as a five-teacher type school in 1928 for $13,600. The Fisk University Rosenwald database has a photo of it on their site.
This school sits next to newer Haw Pond Baptist Church. As it has been slowly deteriorating over the years, I expect it will fall within the next year.
The Smithville School opened in 1928 and stayed open until May 1955. It was a four-teacher-type school. Afterward, the building was converted into apartments. It now sits empty.
