Converse College Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
580 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC (Spartanburg County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817742013
Description and Narrative:
In 1889, citizens concerned with the lack of educational opportunity for young women in the Spartanburg community spearheaded a movement that led to the establishment of Converse College. Included among these interested citizens was Dexter E. Converse, and influential leader of the textile industry and the benefactor for which the college is named. Designed to provide a liberal arts education for young women, Converse was founded during the years in which the importance of education for women was being supported in the South. Although located in an urban area and within a modern campus complex, the district preserves the character of the original campus. The district contains eight buildings, including the oldest structure built on the campus, Pell Annex, as well as other buildings that reflect the school’s early history. Representative architectural styles include Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, and Classical Revival. Dates of construction on buildings within the district range from 1891 to 1915. All but one are of brick. Situated in a carefully landscaped area, the district possesses compatibility of scale and material. Listed in the National Register November 12, 1975.
Period of Significance:
1891;1889;1896
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Social History;Architecture;Education
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
November 12 1975
