Mike Cudd shares some memories about his days at Central School during a reunion of former students Saturday. (Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL) Central Elementary held a special place in the hearts of Anthony Hopper and other students who received their early education inside Gaffney’s oldest public school.

Hopper remembers mailing a wooden pair of shoes to former Central teacher Mattie Mae Pierson while stationed in the Pacific during World War II. He signed his name and the words “Philippines 45” on the back of the shoes before shipping them home as a keepsake to Pierson.

“My brother went to a flea market many years later and saw a pair of wooden shoes. He turned it over and saw my name with the words ‘Philippines 45’ on it. He bought it and gave it to me for Christmas,” Hopper recalled. “Central is an original part of our history. It provided a strong foundation for us in school.”

Hopper was among 200 people who attended a Central School reunion Saturday in the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum, which is what the school building now functions as after it was renovated. They traveled from as far away as California to share memories about their time at the elementary school.

History records show school was held on the site from the fall of 1898 until Central Elementary was consolidated with Limestone Elementary in 1998.

Former Central teachers worked with longtime principals Alfred McGaha and Billy Elmore to organize the reunion. Hall passes were sold for $10 in a fundraiser for the museum. An old classroom wing was opened so students could see how the school building used to look.

Former students were given time to share memories about attending Central Elementary and look over scrapbooks filled with old school photos. Former students Katherine and Kristine Kerr performed at the reunion along with The Nightcrawlers band.

Unlike regular school, there was no penalty for being late or talking in class.

Students shared memories about sneaking onto the Central School grounds on Halloween night to ring the school bell. There were other stories about the cafeteria food, school recess and sliding down a fire escape back when the school was a 2-story structure.

Gaffney resident Jim Cudd recalled teachers would often go to great lengths to help students grasp difficult concepts like multiplication tables.

“I remember there was one student who would always give the answer 49 no matter what the question was when we were learning how to do multiplication,” Cudd said. “Finally, our teacher, Mattie Mae Pierson, asked the student to multiply 7x7. The student answered 36. This was the first time I ever saw Mattie Mae crack up. She was just trying to help the student by trying to give her a question she could answer.”

Retired Cherokee County educator Joyce Childers spent most of her 39 years teaching at Central Elementary. She is grateful for the lifelong lessons which were passed onto generations of students.

“Central Elementary is a place that is very dear to me,” Childers said.