Latimer High and Elementary School
National Register Listing
Street Address:
122 Latimer St., Latta (Dillon County)
Alternate Name:
Latimer School
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10807717019
Description and Narrative:
Latimer High and Elementary School is locally significant in the areas of Education and Ethnic Heritage: Black as the only African American public school in the town of Latta during the period of significance (1954-1970). Opened in 1954, the school was built through the state equalization program, a massive school construction campaign aimed at staving off legal challenges to segregation by upgrading Black schools. Upon its completion the school served all Black school-age children from the town of Latta as well as outlying portions of Dillon County. The campus was gradually expanded during the period of significance with the addition of a library, larger cafeteria and kitchen, and an elementary classroom addition. Latimer is also significant under Criterion C: Architecture at the local level as a rare intact example of midcentury Modern design applied through the state equalization program. Designed by the architecture firm James and Durant, the campus reflects changing design philosophy for educational buildings in the mid twentieth century and the increased funding for African American education in the 1950s in South Carolina. Latimer’s architectural style and materials are typical for equalization school architecture in the state, and it is one of the only examples (and likely the most intact) of this school form in Latta. The period of significance is from 1954 when the high school opened, to 1970 when the campus integrated. Listed in the National Register May 20, 2024.
Period of Significance:
1954 – 1970
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Education;Ethnic Heritage: Black
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
May 20 2024
