Mt Zion Institute - Tusitala Yearbook (Winnsboro, SC)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ACTIVITIES Page 65 Page Three

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HISTORY OF MOUNT ZION The Mount Zion Society was formed in Charlestown in 1777 and was incorporated for the purpose of founding, endowing and supporting a public school in the district of Camden. M Thus, Mount Zion Insti- tute was conceived. During the time Cornwallis oc- cupied Winns boro, instruction was disrupted tem- porarily, During the War Between the States, Mount Zion never closed its doors. In the latter part of the war, the buildings were used as a military hospital, and at the last were occupied by Federal troops. In 1867 fire destroyed the building completely. A smaller building was erected in 1873. In 1878 Mount Zion was changed from an academy to a public school. About 1880 an attempt was made to revive the collegiate features of the school. The town issued bonds and additional funds were raised. The school session of 1881 was opened in a large and well ar- ranged brick building. In 1922 the building was torn away and the present grammar school building was erected. This structure was used by both graded and high schools until 1936, when a new high school building was erected. Today Mount Zion preserves the spirit of coopera- tion and fellowship which it has fortunately inherited. Steeped in tradition and historic background, Mount Zion is still a symbol of the better institutions of learning. The British army under Lord Cornwallis occupied Winnsboro in 1780, This event disrupted classes at the school, but in 1873 Society met, reorganized, and continued its work. The monument which stands in front of the elementary school was erected over the remains of James Wilson Hudson as a tribute to his service to Mount Zion. He came to Mount Zion in 1834 and is said to have made the institution famous. s=o- '-C

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 Our Heritage - - Our Schools, Page Four