Great Branch Teacherage

The Great Branch Teacherage is significant as a relatively intact and rare example of Rosenwald-funded teachers’ housing from the period 1917-1932, when the Julius Rosenwald Fund was helping build schools and associated buildings to support the education of black children in the South. This teachers’ cottage, built in 1924-25, was an important part of the Great Branch School complex. The Great Branch School that once stood on the site, was built in 1917-18, was enlarged in 1922-1923, and closed ca. 1954; arsonists burned it in the early 1960s. Great Branch was one of the first Rosenwald schools in the state, constructed for the East Liberty School District #55. The campus also contained a cannery, a shop, a storage building, well house, and two outdoor privies. The Rosenwald Fund contributed $900.00 towards the construction of the Great Branch Teacherage and the local “Negroes” provided $1,750.00 match, evidence that the black community valued education. The home was built through the Rosenwald project’s specifications for a three-room residence for teachers. The residence is a wooden-frame single-level structure featuring a lateral gabled roof with exposed rafter tails and a wide eave. The roof of a central front porch supported by four large wooden square posts extends from the main roof at the same pitch and serves as a distinguishing feature. The Great Branch Teacherage is the only building or structure from the school complex retaining its integrity from the period 1918-1954. Though it is in relatively poor condition, the teacherage retains almost all of its original features and has not undergone any significant alterations. During the Rosenwald building program, 217 teachers’ homes were built throughout the Southeast. Eight of those were built in South Carolina. Of those eight, the Great Branch Teacherage is one of only two known to be still standing. Listed in the National Register October 24, 2007.

Great Branch Teacherage

The Great Branch Teacherage is significant as a relatively intact and rare example of Rosenwald-funded teachers’ housing from the period 1917-1932, when the Julius Rosenwald Fund was helping build schools and associated buildings to support the education of black children in the South. This teachers’ cottage, built in 1924-25, was an important part of the Great Branch School complex. The Great Branch School that once stood on the site, was built in 1917-18, was enlarged in 1922-1923, and closed ca. 1954; arsonists burned it in the early 1960s. Great Branch was one of the first Rosenwald schools in the state, constructed for the East Liberty School District #55. The campus also contained a cannery, a shop, a storage building, well house, and two outdoor privies. The Rosenwald Fund contributed $900.00 towards the construction of the Great Branch Teacherage and the local “Negroes” provided $1,750.00 match, evidence that the black community valued education. The home was built through the Rosenwald project’s specifications for a three-room residence for teachers. The residence is a wooden-frame single-level structure featuring a lateral gabled roof with exposed rafter tails and a wide eave. The roof of a central front porch supported by four large wooden square posts extends from the main roof at the same pitch and serves as a distinguishing feature. The Great Branch Teacherage is the only building or structure from the school complex retaining its integrity from the period 1918-1954. Though it is in relatively poor condition, the teacherage retains almost all of its original features and has not undergone any significant alterations. During the Rosenwald building program, 217 teachers’ homes were built throughout the Southeast. Eight of those were built in South Carolina. Of those eight, the Great Branch Teacherage is one of only two known to be still standing. Listed in the National Register October 24, 2007.