After the Civil War, freedmen formed communities all around the South. Near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the Cemetery community received its name because of its location next to Stones River National Cemetery. Retired members of the United States Colored Troops chose to live in the area alongside newly freed men and women after the federal government decided to build one of the national cemeteries in this area, which would provide jobs for those who helped create and maintain the cemetery.
Founded in 1874, the Cemetery School educated local schoolchildren until 1962. The first school was used until 1945 when the new building seen above was built. The Cemetery School was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
The Seneca Institute was a school built in 1899 in Seneca, South Carolina, to educate Black schoolchildren. It was founded by the Seneca River Baptist Association. In 1926, it added two years of college, and it became the Seneca Junior College.
Undated image of the Seneca Junior College before it was razed. The image is courtesy of Seneca Echoes by Nora Nimmons Field (1954).
Faith Cabin Libraries began in rural South Carolina, where, due to segregation, African Americans did not have access to public libraries. Willie Lee Buffington and Euriah Simpkins created the idea of these libraries. A letter-writing campaign focused on preachers provided funding.
In 1937, the Faith Cabin Library at the Seneca Junior College was built and filled with books provided by Oberlin College.
It was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
This small structure is located on the Glover Chapel Baptist Church campus. Initially, I could not identify the structure, but thankfully, the church is still active, and they confirmed it is a one-room schoolhouse.
I love Art Deco, so during my recent trip to Memphis, I knew I would need to visit this school. Memphis architect Noland Van Powell designed the Fairview Junior High School for the Edward Lee Harrison architectural firm. Opening in the fall of 1930, it was built at the cost of $335,000. The Art Deco style was unusual for Memphis. The building stood out with the buff-colored bricks since most schools in town were built with red bricks. It got its name because it was next to the fairgrounds.
During the 1937 Mississippi River flood, the school served as a hospital. In 2012, it went through an $8 million renovation. Luckily, most of the Art Deco details were intact and kept during the renovation. It is now known as the Middle College High School.
It was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
William Carson identified this as the Ashland School.
Southwest of Carnesville, Georgia, on Highway 59, you will pass the Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery and the Hebron Lodge. I have driven past the Hebron Lodge and never stopped. I also had not noticed a building that looked like an early 1900s school at the top of the hill. Imagine my surprise when I did see it. Sadly, I cannot determine the history of the building. Since it shares the land with the lodge and cemetery, I wondered if it was once called the Ebenezer School or Hebron School. This did not help in my search. If you know anything about this building, please let me know.
Founded in 1796, the Hebron Presbyterian Church congregation in Banks County is one of the earliest congregations in north Georgia. The church was built in 1883 and is representative of many rural churches found in the South with the double doors at the entrance, which were used separately by men and women when the sexes did not sit next to each other during church services.
The Hebron Academy is tied to the earlier school on the church’s campus. The first school building was constructed in 1855. At the time, it was a rare school that educated white schoolchildren and the children of the enslaved. The slaveholder could grant permission for anyone they held in bondage to be educated. This continued until a Georgia state law was passed to prevent the education of anyone held in bondage. In 1910, the current school building was constructed, and the old building was moved to be used as a parsonage.
The church’s cemetery highlights a mixture of tombs and markers used over the years. From the head and shoulders grave markers, sometimes called discoids, and the cairns represent earlier markers. Additionally, since it is still an active cemetery, modern markers are mixed throughout it.
The grave of Samuel McKie (1761-1845), who fought in the Revolutionary War, showcases an earlier vault with the addition of a federally issued headstone. The head and shoulders marker of Elizabeth McEntire (1765-1806) is engraved with “Here lies Elizabeth McEntire age 41 yrs. Departed this life 10 August 1806.” It is believed this marker, and others like it, was quarried from local stone.Jane Fleming Ash (1764-1859)The grave of Jennie C. Pruitt (1868-1913) is engraved with the quote, “In my father’s house are many mansions,” from John 14:2-6. This is a frequent inscription in cemeteries.
Websites store cookies to enhance functionality and personalise your experience. You can manage your preferences, but blocking some cookies may impact site performance and services.
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Name
Description
Duration
Cookie Preferences
This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
