Announcement About a New Sterling HS Memorial
- Charles Reams
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Saturday, about 50 people gathered for an announcement about the establishment of a new Sterling High School Memorial on the property of the renowned high school.
What was so special about a school that burned down on September 15, 1967? The Greenville News headlined the story, calling it likely arson.
On the other hand, ask some high school students how they feel about graduating, many will say they are too happy to be rid of school, books, and all learning.
That is not the case with former Sterling High School students. Many graduated from college and enjoyed professional and rewarding careers.
What made the difference?
Former students are, in unison, saying teachers who cared for them and took pride in teaching. The sense of community was pervasive, grads say. Imagine this: students helped each other learn new skills.
A brief history
1896: Greenville Academy was established by Rev. D.M. Minus.
1902: The school moved and was renamed Sterling Industrial College.
1915: It was renamed Enoree High School.
1929: The county school district acquired the school and renamed it Sterling High School.
1967: The original building burned down.
Initially, it was the only school for blacks for miles around. Thus, students streamed from Georgia, Columbia, and other areas in all directions.
Many of the faculty had taught at colleges; some had PhDs. All cared for the students and worked diligently to perfect their craft, viewing teaching as their calling, not a drudgery or even a career.
Notable alumni
Sterling has produced many notable alumni, including civil rights activist and former president of the National Baptists Convention USA, Rev. S. C. Cureton, and former Greenville County superintendent of schools Thomas Kerns. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights activist and former football, baseball, and basketball player at Sterling, is also a prominent graduate. Additionally, Lottie Gibson, a civil rights activist and longtime Greenville County council member, and Ralph Anderson, a state legislator, are notable alumni, and Lillian Brock Fleming, a longtime city councilperson and teacher who was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Furman University.
How to find the memorial
The recent memorial is located at 113 Minus Street, Greenville, SC 20606.
Phone 864-235-4026
There is also another Sterling Memorial at the corner of S. Main and Washington Streets in Greenville.
A civil rights group was removed from the Woolworth building, specifically the Woolworth's lunch counter. This occurred during the Civil Rights Movement, specifically during the 1960s, as part of sit-in protests against racial segregation. The students, including the Greenville Eight, bravely entered the whites-only lunch counter, leading to the closure of lunch counters in Greenville and other cities. These sit-ins eventually contributed to the nationwide desegregation of department stores.
How to locate the site by GPS.