With all this back-to-school talk happening in the last 2 weeks, we want to throw it back this morning too. We’re going to take a stroll way back to the hallways of Columbia High School.
Columbia High School was originally housed in the Columbia Female Academy, which was an educational institution that dates back to the 1820s. Getting an education in South Carolina looked very different at this point in the history lesson. For example, in 1860 there were 1,395 teachers educating 18,915 students in the state.
Just a few years later, in 1877, there were 2,552 schoolhouses. Most of the schools consisted of a 1-room building where students learned the basics of elementary education for about 4 months out of the year. This led to high illiteracy rates and more funding to improve the education system.
The educational trend continued over the years with many changes like extending the school year, improving school conditions, and expanding the curriculum, especially in larger cities.
Columbia High School was established in 1895 and was the Soda City’s first public high school. The building was located at 1323 Washington St. + this block is now home to a baptist church in downtown Columbia.
The building was leased to the Richland County Commissioner of Schools and served the students of downtown Columbia until another building was built in 1915.
In 1920, there were only 46, 4-year high schools in SC. Now there are 24, just in Columbia.
DYK that it wasn’t until 1921 that children were required to attend school? However, there were no attendance officers to enforce the law.
The final classes were held at Columbia High School in December of 1975 when the students moved into a new building.
Today, Columbia High School is located in the St. Andrews area at 1701 Westchester Dr., and is a part of Richland School District One.
Notable Alumni of Columbia High School:
- Weston Adams — former United States Ambassador and film producer.
- Kimberly Clarice Aiken — the winner of Miss America in 1994.
- Bob Bowman — a swimming coach, who has coached the most decorated Olympian of all time — Michael Phelps.
- Randy Brooks — an actor that is well known in the soap opera community.
- Mary Lillian Ellison — a former professional wrestler. She’s also known by her stage name, “The Fabulous Moolah.”
- Kirkman Finlay Jr. — a former Mayor of Columbia.
- William Price Fox — American novelist who wrote “Southern Fried” and “Doctor Golf.”
- Angelo King — former NFL linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.
- Craig Melvin — a journalist, Today Show anchor, and author.
