The Waxhaw Historic Preservation Commission
Did you know?
In 1912, Booker T. Washington approached
philanthropist Julius Rosenwald about his
concept to build rural schools needed
for African American children across
the segregated south. That partnership
sparked a grassroots movement that
eventually created more than 5,300
schools across 15 states in the South from
1912-1932. They were called “Rosenwald
schools,” because the funds to start them
came from Julius Rosenwald. Rosenwald
served as the President and Chariman of
Sears, Roebuck & Company.
In order for Rosenwald to donate funds
to build the schools, he required the local
town to raise money or contribute labor.
Rosenwald actually provided the smallest
amount of money: about $4.4 million. State
and local governments gave over $18
million. Local towns raised about $6 million
(Northwestern University Press, 2011).
By the time of Rosenwald’s death in
1932, about one-third of black students
in the South were attending Rosenwald
schools. In addition to schools, Rosenwald
contributed to 217 homes for teachers. He
also established 163 machine shops where
students learned practical skills. North
Carolina had the most Rosenwald schools:
813 (Northwestern University Press, 2011).
In 1954, the Supreme Court issued the
decision to integrate public schools
leaving the Rosenwald schools abandoned.
Today, most have been destroyed, but some
remain. In 2002, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation listed the Rosenwald
schools as “endangered places.” They now
are used as schools, community centers,
senior citizen centers, and museums.
A little known fact is that Waxhaw
was home to a Rosenwald School.
Local resident Virginia Johnson was a
former student of the school. It was
a four classroom school, but only
three classrooms were used. One of
the classrooms had a stage used for
performances. There were only three
teachers and the school was attended
by students from first grade through
seventh grade, with three grades in each
classroom. The school also did not have an
indoor bathroom and the only water was
from an outside faucet.
Below is a picture of what is believed to be
the Waxhaw Rosenwald School, according
to Fisk University. The school stood on 2.25
acres and was located on Cureton Road off
of Howie Mine Road. The town of Waxhaw
contributed $1,785 towards the school
along with the black community and
Rosenwald who contributed $900 each.
The Waxhaw Historic Preservation
Comm \