Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School can trace its origins to the establishment of “Lincoln School,” which was built as the first public school in Sumter, S.C. for African American students in 1874. Lincoln High School, which opened in 1937, occupies the same site and operated as an African American high school until 1969. Lincoln was highly regarded for its academic programs, with an award-winning student newspaper called “The Echo” one of many accomplishments.
Funding from the Works Progress Administration offset labor costs of the large-scale construction. In 1952 funds from S.C.’s public school equalization program were used to add two large wings to the original building. In 1970 Lincoln H.S. consolidated with the formerly all-white Edmunds H.S. to form Sumter H.S. This building remained in use as the Council St. Campus of Sumter H.S. until 1983. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Where it stands. 20-26 Council St., Sumter, Sumter