Built in the later part of the 19th Century, the Palmer School is the oldest schoolhouse remaining in Marion County. The school and the adjacent cemetery are named after David Palmer, an SC legislature.
It operated until the 1920s educating white school children from the area.
After years of neglect, the school is going under restoration. You can see older photos of the school on the South Carolina Picture Project website.
Built in 1924, the school served the Newborn community until the 1950s. The community came together in 2009 to fully restore the schoolhouse. It’s a contributing property to the Newborn Historic District.
Built around 1938, the Philadelphia School is tied to the freedman’s church, Philadelphia Baptist Church. The church was founded in 1875. The land where this school sits was purchased in 1883. Records show there were teachers associated with the church by 1885. Unfortunately, in April 1936, a fire in the schoolhouse spread to the chapel and destroyed both buildings.
Located in the community once known as Rico, the “Old” Rico School was built before 1900 and was in use until 1932 when a new school was built just down the road. It was a four-room schoolhouse with a central hallway. It was turned into a single home dwelling that is now abandoned.
As of August 2022, the school has been dismantled.
Bold Springs CME Church was founded on February 20, 1874, when the trustees of the church, Willie Moreland, Clark Bell, and Sam Stillwell, purchased the land from Charles Sims, a local farmer.
Initially, the church served as both a school and a place of worship. The congregation is uncertain of when the two-room school was built. They messaged my page on Facebook asking for help. They were initially going to tear it down, but they now would like to try to save it. They need help since they are a small, aging congregation.
Based on newspaper articles, I know the church was built before 1930 and used until 1958 when school consolidation happened. Based on similar buildings I’ve seen around the state, I am dating it in the late 1910s. For any architectural experts who can determine more with the photos below, please let me know.
According to the trustee I met, the original white clapboard church is under the church. This structure was built around 1902 after a fire burned down the church.
I don’t know the age of the church and school, but this shows how close some schools, churches, and cemeteries can be when a congregation provides for all three to its members.
