Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-02-04
sUNNYsIDE HIGH SCHOOL
How Progressive Citizens Solved the
Problem of Preparatory Education



and especially that comparatively small
portion Of 1t known as South Carolina,
when there was such a universal
appreciation Of the inestimable value
Of education than at present, or when
the thinking men and women so thor
oughly realized that 1t Is the height OF
absurdity to expect the masses, and es-
pecially that portion living in the coun-
try, to acquire even common school
education unless properly equipped
schools are provided. While 1t Is true
that there are many rural communities
throughout the state as we'll as some
towns, that because Of lack of appreci-
alton Of the value Of education or be-
cause they imagine they are not finan-
cially able, have made little progress
and are still engaged in their time
honored Gus om of waiting for some
thing to turn up"
1t is probably fact that there has
been as great, If not greater improve
ments in the public schools of York
county during the past decade than
during the previous 35 years following
the surrender Of Gen. Lee at Appomat-
tox, due almost entirely to the fact that
previous to ten years ago the people
did not have and could not secure the
necessary funds with which to build
school houses, properly equip them and
to pay the kind Of teachers needed
much more than half the monthly COM
pensation they are paying today for
seven, eight and nine months In the
year, for longer terms than from three
to five months
While, as stated York county is
making progress, there are other coun-
ties that are, to say the least, keeping
step with her, and 1t is probable that in
some instances making longer steps,
and 1t Is to tell about one especial in
stance Of longer steps in another coun-
ty that furnished the inspiration for
what has already been said and what
Is to follow.
On January Gath had occasion to
make business and pleasure trip COM
bined to the home of one of the best
and most progressive farmers and citi-
zens Of Cherokee county, who lives In
Gowdeysville township, land In order to
make the trip with the least inconve-
nience went out to Hickory Grove on
the early morning train and was met
at the train by horse and buggy. 1t
knowledge that there was a ten mile
drive ahead and that had never been
over the road, my spirits In start
ing off were anything else than bouy-
ant. / was to cross Broad River on
the steel bridge, five miles from Hick-
ory Grove, and after passing the Will
kerson school house ] did not even
know the road to the bridge, but after
getting directions from various persons
along the route / reached and passed
over the bridge into Cherokee county
and followed what afterward learn
ed was the old Howell's Ferry road. All
the way there were evidences Of the fact
that the road had recently been work.
ed, and about one-and-a-half miles
from the bridge came on the chain
gang working away in the drizzling
rain. / left home with the idea that
my route would take me by wilkins
Vile and naturally I asked a white
man. apparently the superintendent,
for directions and after he had given
them, mentioned the name Of the
citizen whom / expected to visit, and
! was told that in that case I should
go In exactly the opposite direction
from Wilkinsville, II cared to save
about seven miles Of travel through
mud, and up and down hill, and natur-
ally I did. / was directed how to go
and drove on. but being one Of those
unfortunates1 who, when in strange
country Is almost sure to take the
wrong road instead Of the right, on this
OCCASION I took the right, or kept
straight ahead when I should have
taken the left at Mr.. Kirby's. It was
still raining and still foggy. After driv-
Ing about half or three -fourths Of q
mile beyond where should have
turned off, all Of sudden I noticed
just ahead a very large, new frame
building with a well -proportioned tow
er to it. The building did not have the
appearance Of church, and at first
was not sure that my eyes were not
deceiving me. when all at once re-
called that few days before friend
had told me how the leading citizens
Of that section had persuaded the peo-
pie to consolidate several schools into
one, with the idea of having a school of
which all might we'll be proud, and then
we knew that the two STORY metal roof,
frame building with a tower rising
thirty or forty feet above, a one-story
IL" extending to the rear and piazzas
on each side Of the main entrance, was
the Sunnyside High School building
about which had heard, and viewed
1t with amaZement. .'.
Later l made inquiry as to the in
ception and history Of the enterprise
and found 1t so unusual that con-
cluded that its publication might prove
an inspiration to other communities.
The community in which the school Is
located Is rather sparsely settled, but
as subsequent statements will prove,
contains number of as wide awake
and progressive citizens as can be
found anywhere. The building Is To-
Gated about II miles from Gaffney, the
county seat, and u miles from Hickory
Grove, the nearest railroad station, and
6 miles from Wilkinsville. Owing to
lack Of satisfactory school facilities not
less than two and possibly more Of the
most progressive and prosperous citi-
zens Of the community decided more
than a year ago that their obligations
to their children and to society de-
manded that they should leave their
farms and move to a town where there
was good school to educate the chill
dren," and it is said that they finally
decided on Hickory Grove as being the
and actually purchased lots on which to
erect homes. About this time the neigh
bors learned Of their intentions and
meeting was held for the purpose Of
working out plan to keep these most
desirable citizens in the community,
and at the same time to render 1t un-
necessary in future for any others to
contemplate leaving because Of the lack
Of educational facilities, and they GER
tainly succeeded, and 1t is probable
that they have school today that Is
the equal Of any preparatory school in
the state, whether in town or country,
and one whose influence during the
next ten or fifteen years, If continued
along the line 1t has started on, will
revolutionize conditions In that section.
Now for a description of the build
ing: 1t has three large, well lighted
class rooms, two full sized, fully equip
ped cloakrooms on the first floor. The
auditorium occupies the full length of
the second story, and has rostrum Of
ample size and stage rooms. The IL"
room in the rear Is fully equipped with
stove and all necessary paraphernalia
for the Girls Cooking club.
There are four acres Of land, divided
up in farm demonstration p!ats for
boys and garden plats for girls In the
various plats every field and garden
seed and berry that Is adapted to this
section Is planted. The grounds are be-
ing enclosed with 4S inch woven wire
fence.
There are three teachers Prof /. b