Graniteville Academy
This Carpenter Gothic school was built in 1848 by the Graniteville Mill, then the largest textile mill in S.C. William Gregg (1800-1867), who opened the mill in 1847, created a model mill village here. This academy, with five classrooms and a bell tower, opened with local ministers as teachers for students in grades 1-6. Gregg made attendance compulsory for all mill village children between ages 6 and 12.
Wings were added to this building in 1853; a second building was added to the campus later. The academy added grades 7-11 in 1898, with its first high school graduating class in 1899. Leavelle McCampbell School, 4/10 mi. S on Canal St., opened in 1922 and replaced Graniteville Academy. The old academy was converted into houses, with the wings detached and moved. The original 1848 academy here was a residence 1922-1969.
Where it stands. Canal St. and the Gregg Hwy., Graniteville, Graniteville