History of Easley High School
Illustrated Timeline
1873
A small community, Easley, begins to develop around the new railroad in Pickens County.
1874
The first subscription (pay) school is begun by Dr. Charles Robinson.
Easley is incorporated as a town.
1876
First "Academy" is constructed.
1880
New two-story "Academy" is constructed.
1894
SC Legislature passes an act allowing towns to collect taxes for the operation of free public schools.
Pickens County is divided into more than fifty publicly supported school districts, one being Easley.
1905
Easley’s "Central" Graded School is constructed on Main Street to replace the 1880 wooden Academy building.
1909
Major addition doubles the size of the facility.
1920
The 1909 addition is expanded. Few details survive to indicate the amount or nature of the work done at this time other than the fact that the roofline was raised by several feet and the building was extended to the size we see today.
1939
EHS moves to the Green Wave Ave. campus.
1952
A new band room is constructed behind the auditorium.
1969-70
New cafeteria is constructed.
1979-80
New classroom addition is constructed parallel to Pendleton Street.
New administration building is constructed.
B.B. McKelvey Gymnasium is constructed.
Green Wave Ave. is removed.
1997-98
New media center, cafeteria, and classroom addition is constructed as well as a new band room on Pendleton Street
2006
SDPC Board of Trustees approves $315 million building plan, which includes construction of four new high schools.
2007
Ground is broken for the new Easley High School campus on Highway 8.
2012
In the spring the Board of Trustees of the School District of Pickens County review their plans to demolish the 1939 building and replace it with a new yet similar structure as the old campus is converted into a second middle school. Following a huge public outcry from the Easley community; state and local historic preservationists; as well as local business and civic leaders; a plan is approved that saves renovates the 1939 building, including W.M. Scott Auditorium, as part of the new middle school.
In May demolition begins on the 1939 gymnasium, 1952 band room, 1969 cafeteria, and 1997 band room. All have been completely demolished by the end of July.
In June the Class of 2012 becomes the last to graduate from the Pendleton Street campus.
The new Easley High School opens to students on August 21.
On Friday, August 24, the first football game is played at Green Wave Stadium. The Green Wave defeats Daniel 21-14 as a capacity crowd watches.
Figure 6: Easley High School 2012 (Photograph: C. Stewart)
Figure 7: Green Wave Stadium 2012 (Photograph: C. Stewart)
Figure 8: The EHS Bell at Green Wave Stadium (Photograph: C. Stewart)
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