Harrisburg School

Front: For more than thirty years, the Harrisburg neighborhood was the site of a public school for local African Americans. Harrisburg School opened in 1920-21 on Richey Street as part of the Abbeville City School District. It was housed in a wooden building that previously served as a Black-owned dance hall known as the Palm Garden before being converted into a two-teacher school with state support. Its first principal was Anderson-native Susie E. Sanders. Reverse: In the 1930s Harrisburg School moved into a purpose-built brick building located at this site. It closed in 1954. In its last year the school enrolled children in grades 1-4. In 1956 the building became a recreation center for local African Americans. It was named in memory of Steve McKnight, a railroad fireman and well-known community member. The center hosted athletics, arts and crafts, dances, church groups, and other programs for a number of years. It no longer stands.