Mary H. Wright Elementary School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Wright, Mary H., Elementary School
|
|
 |
|
 Location in South Carolina
|
|
| Location | 201 Caulder Ave., Spartanburg, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Area | 8.9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1951 |
| Architect | Hudson, W. Manchester; Chapman, A. Hugh Jr. |
| Architectural style | International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000798 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 2007 |
Mary H. Wright Elementary School was an important school building in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was built in 1951. This school was part of a plan by South Carolina Governor James F. Byrnes. He wanted to create "separate but equal" schools. This idea meant having separate schools for different races, but trying to make them equally good. This was done to try and avoid mixing schools for all students.
After schools became integrated, Mary H. Wright Elementary kept serving students until 2001. A new school with the same name was built nearby. The old building then became a learning center. Later, it was used as an office for housing. In 2016, the building became empty. In 2022, it was changed into apartments called Schoolhouse Lofts. There are 53 apartments in the building now.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 2007. This list includes important places in American history.
History of Mary H. Wright School
Mary H. Wright Elementary School opened in 1951. It was built during a time when schools in the United States were segregated. This meant that Black students and white students went to separate schools.
Building a New School
South Carolina Governor James F. Byrnes pushed for new schools like Mary H. Wright. His goal was to build schools that were "separate but equal." This idea was meant to keep schools segregated by race. However, it also aimed to provide better facilities for Black students. This was a way to try and prevent schools from being forced to integrate.
From School to Apartments
Eventually, schools across the country became integrated. This meant students of all races could attend the same schools. Mary H. Wright Elementary continued to be a school for many years. It served the community until 2001. At that time, a new school building was constructed close by. It was also named Mary H. Wright Elementary School.
The original building found new uses after the school moved out. For a while, it was a learning center. Then, it became an office for a housing authority. By 2016, the building was no longer in use and became vacant. In 2022, the old school building was given a new life. It was renovated and turned into modern apartments. These apartments are now called Schoolhouse Lofts.
