Taylors Founded Epworth School

Over the last few weeks Picturing the Past has been examining the population and economic growth of the town of Brevard in the early 1900s.  This week we look at the impact this growth had on Brevard schools.

Prior to 1900 education options were limited to small schools that taught basics for short terms.  There were also a few subscription or private schools scattered around the county.  In Brevard, Fitch and Sarah Taylor opened Epworth School for young girls in their home in 1895.  Within four years the school had grown from 3 to 79 students.  The Brevard Institute grew out of the Taylor’s Epworth School and remained as an option for those willing and able to pay the tuition of $6.00 per term or $26.00 per term for boarding students (1910 rates).

A group of Brevard Grammar School students outside the 1908 building.

The local public schools were in poor condition both as facilities and in the quality of education they offered when T.C. Henderson became superintendent of Transylvania County Schools in 1905.  He brought major improvements about throughout the county.  In Brevard a two-story schoolhouse for all grades was built on the corner of South Broad and Morgan streets in 1908.  There were five teachers and 171 students--an average of 34.2 students per teacher but the first grade teacher actually had 58 students.

Within a decade more room was needed and a new high school was built beside it on Morgan St. in 1919.  It included classrooms, labs, and a gymnasium.  In addition to traditional courses it offered classes in domestic science, stenography, and bookkeeping for grades 8-11.  The earlier school continued to be used for the elementary grades.

With a continued booming population another new high school was built on Broad St.  It cost $90,000 and had 27 teachers when it opened in September 1925.  The older buildings continued to be used as the elementary and primary schools.  These three schools would serve the community of Brevard until 1936 when the 1908 school was deemed unsafe.  All elementary grades squeezed into the 1919 school while a new building was being constructed.

Students and teachers at the Rosenwald School.

The African-American community also saw improvements in education during the early 20^th century.  According to a history written by Nathanial Hall African-American students in Brevard had attended school in a two-room log cabin.  When a property exchange was worked out with Frank Jenkins a four-room school was built on the west side of town in 1910.  That school was expanded in 1920 using Rosenwald Funds.  Thus the name Rosenwald for the school and surrounding community.  This school operated until it burned on March 12, 1941.

Next week Picturing the Past will continue the story of Brevard schools from about 1940 through the mid-1970s.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

CAPTIONS:

A group of Brevard Grammar School students outside the 1908 building. 

Students and teachers at the Rosenwald School.