Springfield High School
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Brodie St., b/w SC Hwy. 4 and Georgia St., Springfield, SC (Orangeburg County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817738036
Description and Narrative:
The Springfield High School, built 1929 and associated buildings are significant for their association with the history of education in Orangeburg County and South Carolina. Three structures in the complex are contributing, while two are non-contributing. In the early twentieth century, rural school districts in the state struggled to maintain a large number of buildings with limited funds. While the power to run the state’s education system at the time rested primarily with the counties, the state made some efforts to encourage counties to consolidate their school facilities for more efficient management and improved education. Springfield High School was one of the many schools built between 1910 and 1930 as part of this consolidation movement. The buildings also reflects secondary educational architecture that flourished in South Carolina after the 1910 School Building Act when the state required improved design standards for new schools. The high school is also significant as an excellent example of the work of Columbia architect James B. Urquhart, who along with his firm became well known throughout South Carolina during the early twentieth century as school designers. Construction of this two-story, brick high school building began in 1928 by local contractor J.T. Dabbs. Featuring baroque-like massing with its projecting central and end pavilions, the building’s entrance consists of a triple-arcaded porch or loggia, accented with cast stone bases, capitals, and keyed arches. Listed in the National Register March 29, 2001.
Period of Significance:
circa 1927 – 1950
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Education
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
March 29 2001
