The Cayce Colored School served the African-American community for over four decades
The Cayce Colored School, which was the first school for Black students in Cayce, South Carolina, has received a state Historical Marker on Feb. 24, 2024. The school, which operated from 1927 to 1969, was a part of the state’s effort to preserve segregation by improving Black schools. The marker, which was unveiled by the former students and local officials, is a tribute to the history and legacy of the school and its alumni.
The school was built on the site of the current Mt. Zion Church of Cayce, which donated the land for the marker. The school started as a wood-frame building with two classrooms and about 200 students. It was expanded in 1930 and renamed Cayce Negro Elementary School. In 1953, a new 10-classroom building was constructed south of the old school, funded by the South Carolina Equalization Program. The school was later named Ida A. Bull Elementary School, after a local teacher who taught there for 32 years.
The school closed in 1969, following the desegregation of the district. Many of the former students went on to pursue higher education and successful careers in various fields. Some of them attended the ceremony and shared their memories and gratitude for the school and its teachers.
The marker is a part of a larger effort to preserve and promote the history of Black schools in the state
The Cayce Colored School is not the only former segregated school that has been recognized with a state marker. In June 2023, the Lakeview School in West Columbia, which was also a state-equalization school, received a National Register of Historic Places marker. The Lakeview School, which was established in 1925 and closed in 1968, is now the home of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, which provides various services and programs for the community.
The markers are a result of the efforts of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, the Mt. Zion Church of Cayce, the Cayce Historical Museum, the Lexington County School District Two, and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. They are also supported by the local and state officials, such as U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn and Joe Wilson, Cayce Mayor Elise Partin, West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, and Cayce Mayor Pro Tem James “Skip” Jenkins, who is also a Lakeview School alum.
The markers are not only a way to honor the past, but also to educate the present and future generations about the history and contributions of Black schools and communities in the state. They are also a way to attract more attention and funding for the preservation and renovation of the historic buildings, as well as for the continuation and expansion of the empowerment center’s activities.
The former students and teachers hope that the marker will inspire more appreciation and support for the school and its legacy
The Cayce Colored School was more than just a place of learning for the former students and teachers. It was also a place of belonging, nurturing, and empowerment. The school provided them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to overcome the challenges and barriers of racism and discrimination. The school also fostered a sense of pride, identity, and community among the Black residents of Cayce.
The former students and teachers hope that the marker will help the public to learn more about the school and its impact on the lives of many people. They also hope that the marker will inspire more appreciation and support for the school and its legacy, as well as for the empowerment center and its mission. They believe that the school and the center are valuable assets for the city and the state, and that they deserve more recognition and funding.
The marker is a symbol of the history and heritage of the Cayce Colored School, but it is also a sign of hope and possibility for the future. The former students and teachers hope that the marker will encourage more people to visit the site, to join the empowerment center, and to support its programs and services. They also hope that the marker will motivate more people to preserve and promote the history and culture of Black schools and communities in the state and beyond.
