Black history marker where school once stood first of its kind here
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

The last living graduate of the original Granard School, Salona Mae Hambright, 97, speaks with a local woman during Monday's historical marker unveiling ceremony at the Senior Centers of Cherokee County.

Before Monday, Cherokee County was one of three counties in the state without a historical marker recognizing places of significance for the area's black population.

With the unveiling of a marker recognizing Granard Graded and High School on Granard Street, Cherokee can officially be taken off the list.

"I don't know why this had not been done before, but I'm glad we are doing this," Rep. Dennis Moss (D- Cherokee) said. "With the significance of this school, I really feel like we are standing on holy ground."

An unveiling ceremony was held at Senior Centers of Cherokee County on Monday, the site of the second Granard school.

"I am proud to be on hand for such a momentus occasion," Cherokee African- American Heritage Committee member Willie Crosby said. "At one time we were one of a few counties that did not have a marker recognizing black history... now we do."

The school, which was known to some as Granard Street School, was built between 1905 and 1914 to serve a large portion of the county's black students. The facility was the first black high school in Gaffney.

Two students made up the school's first graduating class in 1923.

A new Granard school was built on Rutledge Street in 1937 due to overcrowding.

The school included grades 1-11 until 1947 before it added classes for students entering 12th grade.

The high school portion would organize its first sports team in 1928 and its first chorus in 1947.

Granard closed in 1968 when Cherokee County schools were desegregated.

Though the original school is long gone, it did not erase the memories held by many who attended there. One of those is 97-year-old Salona Mae Hambright, the last living graduate of the original Granard School in 1930.

"My time at the school was great mostly because I loved to learn," Hambright said. "I have so many memories of the school."

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly also shared his thoughts about the school.

"I remember a lot of things about the old Granard School- the cheerleaders, athletic teams and though I did not go the school, Granard had great educators, many of whom taught my children," Jolly said. "There are many historical places in the county left to be recognized, but I am glad this place is finally getting the recognition it deserves."

Allendale and McCormick counties are currently the only two counties to not have historical markers recognizing the accomplishments of African-Americans in the area.