Latimer High and Elementary School Listed On National Register of Historic Places

Brick building with well-manicured lawn, trimmed bushes, and a sidewalk in front. A sign stands near the entrance on a sunny day, with trees in the background.

From The S.C. Department of Archives and History
Latimer High and Elementary School in Dillon County was recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1954 and later expanded, Latimer is significant for being the only public school for African American residents of Latta from its construction until integration. It is also significant as an intact example of the S.C. equalization program, a state-funded effort to upgrade Black schools in order to preserve segregation. The last Latimer High School class graduated in 1970, after which the campus became an integrated middle school.