This Eerie And Fantastic Footage Takes You Inside South Carolina's Abandoned Robert Fletcher Memorial School
By AnneMarie|Published July 05, 2023
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AnneMarie
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South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s hardest experiences, and it’s such a personal matter. It could be complicated when that loved one is well-known, thus, drawing more attention to his or her death. Sometimes we want to do something to help preserve a person’s legacy or to honor their memory, especially in the case of someone who has made a significant contribution to society. And that’s exactly the story behind the abandoned Robert Fletcher Memorial School in South Carolina, which we found some footage of to share with you.
Robert Fletcher was a WWI hero who died from mustard gas poisoning in October of 1918. He fought with the famous 42nd Division, also known as the “Rainbow Division,” which was involved in some of the fiercest fighting of the war.
The Division suffered so many casualties that its patch was modified to a half-rainbow following the Division soldiers having removed half the original symbol to memorialize the half of the division's soldiers who had been killed or wounded during the war. Pictured here is an excerpt of the letter Robert Fletcher had written his mother just one month before his death.
The Fletcher family were successful farmers who also operated a cottonseed oil mill and sawmill. After Robert Fletcher's death, his father and uncle wanted to honor his memory through a school for rural students that would focus on agricultural education in addition to the primary academics.
The school was well-received by the Marlboro County community. It was designed by a local architect, H.D. Harrall, and completed in 1920 on Piney Grove Church Road in McColl. Its bricks were imported from Europe.
Incredible architectural detail can be seen throughout, along with the destruction that comes with years of abandonment and neglect after its operation as a public school from 1920 to 1985. Marlboro County High School is where all high school students in the county are now taught.
Robert Fletcher Memorial School had eight heated classrooms, offices, a library, and a large auditorium. Some things are still intact in the building, such as the chalkboard in this classroom.
It's rather dangerous to go inside an abandoned building like this one that has been decaying, as you can see where the flooring on the second level has a hole in it. The individual shooting this footage mentions that the flooring is soft but more solid around the edges.
There was also a building that housed teachers of the Robert Fletcher Memorial School. The footage takes you inside this part of the facility as well, part of it in better shape than others.
The Marlboro County Museum has the photo of Robert Fletcher and a school sign on display. This photo was taken by Jerry Andrews and shared on the museum's Facebook page. A very creative shot, it captures some of the school's majesty and beauty perhaps before its more extensive decline.
The Marlboro County community is saddened by the progressively worsening condition of this place that was so special and holds important history. It is remembered as a wonderful school with caring teachers. Stories remain as well of the portrait of Robert Fletcher hung inside the school and that the eyes would seem to "follow" you as you walked by!
You can see the complete footage yourself here:
What do you think about the abandoned Robert Fletcher Memorial School in McColl, South Carolina, and its story? Have you ever seen any of the fascinating abandoned spots in our state, whether this one or others? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below!
Did you know there’s an abandoned beach resort along our coast? Check it out, too … it has a fascinating story as well.
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