Abbeville Municipal Park – Abbeville, South Carolina

Generations of Abbeville High School students once passed through this brick entryway before and after a day of classes.

The old Abbeville High School (pictured below) was a part of the city’s youth for over 50 years. A newer high school was built following integration to accommodate the much larger student body, and the old high school housed the school district administration for many years. However, it was demolished in 2008 and now this area is a municipal park.

Abbeville High School alumnus Mark Clark remembers the original school building well. He says that “the old auditorium featured ornate plaster and woodwork the likes of which aren’t seen in school auditoriums today. Although it had fallen into disrepair, the acoustics were still perfect.”

Mark also says that backstage there was an old chalkboard where students long gone had written their names and messages. He even found a note written by his parents, who attended the old Abbeville High School, expressing their love for each other!

Even though the school building is long gone, Mark says he always walks the track in the municipal park when visiting Abbeville to reminisce about old times at his high school.

SCIWAY thanks frequent contributor Abbeville native Mark Clark for these great pictures, information, and recollections.

Do you have memories from your days at the old Abbeville High School? Comment below and let us know!