John de la Howe School – McCormick County, South Carolina
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The John de la Howe School was founded in 1797 to provide education for poor and orphaned local children. Today, the school is a top-notch child care facility that offers behavioral and educational assistance to children in need. The facility is located on 1200 beautiful acres along Lake Thurmond in McCormick County.
John de la Howe was a wealthy physician and civil servant in the 1700s, who moved from France to South Carolina at the age of 50. Over time, Howe obtained thousands of acres between the Little River and Long Cane Creek in Abbeville County which he called Lethe Plantation. He lived and ran his successful medical practice here, and asked that upon his death the land be used as a nature preserve and as a school for rural boys and girls. The Lethe Agricultural Seminary was opened shortly after his death in 1797.
The seminary instructed 24 orphan boys and girls who lived, worked, and studied there. After the Civil War, the seminary suffered financially and closed from 1882 to 1894. When it had to close yet again from 1911 to 1913 due to declining enrollment, the school was converted to a state agency in 1918 and renamed the John de la Howe School. To expand facilities and services at the school, it was moved to the neighboring town of McCormick. The school thrived at its new location, and received one of the first grants given by the Duke Endowment.
The John de la Howe barn pictured above was built in 1931 and was a dairy operation that provided supplies to the school and its nearby communities for 50 years. The barn has been converted into a country marketplace and concert hall. Many community events are held here throughout the year. The barn is located along the John de la Howe interpretive trail, which winds 1.9 miles along Lake Thurmond and through pristine forest.
Today, the John de la Howe School continues to be a state-funded group child care facility that offers residential and environmental programs for about 150 kids a year. The children are from families in crisis and are placed here for approximately 9 to 12 months. The school has a family style setting with cottages and a central cafeteria. Funding from the Duke endowment, SC government, tuition, and donations keep the school running. The present campus has 12 cottages, a chapel, an infirmary, a school, a family center, an administration building, and other historic buildings. Learn more on the school’s official website.
Learn more about the Jenkins Institute for Children located in North Charleston, which also provides shelter for children in need.
30 Comments about John de la Howe School
September 29th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
The John de la Howe School was my home from 1966-1969. I thank God for this wonderful place. When I had nowhere to go, it was there for me. I didn’t want to go when I left there. I felt safe there and I learned so much about life. We’ve had so many success stories from being there. We come back from time to time for reunions, and to help and such. We love de la Howe and all it is to us. I pray that it will never close as long as it can help children. If there’s anyone out there that can help us, please don’t let our beloved home close. It is an amazing place. They just recently uncovered Lethe Plantation down by Long Cane Creek, the home of our benefactor John de la Howe. The trail starts at the Tomb of John de la Howe. All this school and surrounding land for miles was once owned by this wonderful man. I think the purpose for this land and the school should be as stated in his last Will and testament, and not let people do as they please with it.
October 14th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I was placed hear when I was 14 years old because of behavior problems. I was lost, and don’t know how to thank the staff members who helped save me from a life of jail, drugs, or God only knows what I would have become. Now, I’m a mother of 2 and believe that John de la Howe saved my life. [ class of 1994 ]
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
John de la Howe School Alumni Association strive to raise funds for the school and its students. Our alumni believe in the mission of the school and want to give back to help the school continue it’s successful programs for the students of SC. Fundraisers and donations help us to be able fill in monetarily for certain things the state does not provide. For those students struggling with school, social and family problems, de la Howe is a wonderful place to help them learn how to cope.
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Looking through the albums in the administrative center on campus, you can find a picture of me as a diminutive waif over in a corner of the wood shop at the school. De la Howe was home to me and I worked at the dairy – worked in the very real sense, no energy left to get into mischief, at all. My greatest childhood memories are the years at De la Howe with the finest staff and administrators and a family of brothers/sisters in the scores!
February 20th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Feel free to contact jodurst1954@yahoo.com for an invitation to the Alumni Web Site. Photos available on the site. Take a stroll back in time and search out photos from the years you spent on campus.
June 18th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
My husband’s great-grandfather attend this school. He was born in 1886 and is listed as a resident at the school in the 1900 census (sadly the 1890 census burned so I don’t know if he was in attendance at that time). I contacted the school to see if they had any records from that time and they told me their records burned. I was wondering if any Alumni could provide me with any history of the school from 1886 to 1906?
August 14th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I was there from 1972 – 1984. This was the best place to be if you had nowhere else to go. This school holds a very special place in my heart. I will always remember special friends and all the hard work we did as we grew up at De La Howe. I will remember rec nights on Friday and Saturday and the time Coach Satterfield would spend with us as a friend — not just a staff member.
September 8th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I was there in the late 50s and have the best of memories. That school along with ‘Nam saved my life. Thank you John de la Howe!
September 12th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I was at John de la Howe from 06-08 and it was the greatest experience. I met my fiance there as well as my best friend. I had a great time reaching goals and learning new things every day. We had great times at rec with Mr. Long and always had fun. School was always great — I hated it while i was there, but when i left i actually missed it!
September 14th, 2011 at 8:51 am
I was at John de la Howe from 1977-1983. This was like home for me — I never wanted to leave. I had a really good time growing up with all my friends. I miss all of them and would love to hear from some of them!
December 11th, 2011 at 6:16 am
I have a lot of great memories of the time I spent at de la Howe but they are not all in line with the
stated mission of the school.
December 19th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
De La Howe was the best home I have had. It was like I grew up there. I had so many friends, and it was a place to call home when you had no where to go. I would like to visit some day and see most of the people I grew up with.
December 25th, 2011 at 6:57 am
I was at de la Howe from 63-71. When I first arrived, I was so scared until Mr. Getty’s took me under his wing and with words of wisdom made me see that I had a very large family and friends. I learned so much from the school and have great memories. I haven’t been back but long to every day – it’s hard for me to travel anymore but I truly do want to make it back before I die. This school was my home then and I still consider it home, and all the friends I made are my family even though I was the 11th child of my parents. I gained about 150 family members just by being at the school. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the school and all my brothers and sisters.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:35 am
I recently learned my grand-daughter is to be a student at John de la Howe. She is an extremely intelligent girl with familial problems that seem to have overwhelmed her. Thank you all so very much for extending the hand of help and compassion to this wonderful child.
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:40 am
I was at JDLH from 1963-1967. This is where I first experienced discipline from someone who loved me. I would not be the person I am today if it had not been for those years.
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:15 pm
My older brother went to de la Howe in 61, in 62 i went, in 63 my younger brother went, and in 65 my younger sister went. We all had the opportunity to graduate, but sometimes life gets in the way of the best paths to take, so my sister and I graduated from McCormick High School.
The school did so much for us and helped get us through the hard times, and still we are keeping in touch with the students we went to school with, and many of the students that went before us and after.
Every two years we get together for a reunion and have members from as far back as the 30`s. My wife, Debbie ,went in the late 60`s and we both still enjoy the friendship of the school and the students and staff.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:45 pm
I’m doing research on James Driggers who was born in August 1915, and went to the Home from about 1919-1920. I would like to find out if any records exist from that time. According to family stories his adoptive mother was dying of cancer and she had to place him in the Home. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Leigh Van Blarcom
March 4th, 2012 at 11:13 am
1947-1955 I was in the home…If anyone knows how to get up with Bobby Bentley, I would gladly appreciate it.
April 13th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
My sister Lallane Adams and I attended the home in 1946 or 1947 for about 2 years. We would love to be in touch with anyone there during that time. I am going to plan on going to reunion this year, does anyone have info on this?
April 16th, 2012 at 9:34 am
The Reunion will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012.
Hickory Knob is a great place to stay if you are traveling far. The school offers rooms at the Family Life Center (the old school building). Call the school for information. I left the school in 1972 and haven’t missed a Reunion. Great chance to show your kids the campus. Hope to see you there!
May 21st, 2012 at 10:49 pm
I was at John De La Howe School 84-86, It was a place that will always stay in my heart, I have not been back in a bit, but plan on making the next get together. I was in Abbeville Cottage. Some of those special people that helped us are no longer with us, but if I could say something to them , it would be THANK YOU !
June 29th, 2012 at 11:17 am
I was at John de la Howe as a student from May 1958 untill June 1962. First started out in the Old Infirmary with Ms. Stepenson, later to Savanah cottage, then to Carolina cottage. I worked on the dairy with Mr. Al. Thank you Dr. Gettys and Mr. Bennett back then. Great memories.
August 10th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
My son is 15 years old and he was accepted at John de la Howe on August 6, 2012. I miss him but his education is very important to me so I let him go three hours and 45 minutes away from home to get a better education for himself.
August 13th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
De la Howe will give your son more opportunities to learn and grow. I know it is hard to let him go, the things he will gain from the programs available at the school will take him a long way into his future. sincerely, Jo Ann Alewine Durst Alumnus 1969-1972
October 25th, 2012 at 8:29 am
I was there 1989 to 1992. I would really like to reconnect with some of the people that were there when i was.
October 26th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Heather, if you would like to check out the JdlH Alumni Web Site hosted by Myfamily.com, just email me with the years you attended and I will send you and invitation. It is a private site only for our alumni and your invitation will contain a username and password to log in. Hundreds of photos from the school to veiw and share. jodurst1954@yahoo.com
December 30th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
i was there in 1962 and 1963 i was shirley mills
my sisters were there also frances patsy and ruth anne mills
shirley crocker
January 25th, 2013 at 2:22 am
This is a shout out to all people I remember in these postings. Pam Harris, we spent all those years together, 63 till U graduated early 1970. Conny Dempsey, I had a crush on you, I was 13 you were in huganaut cot. Joe Moore, you were like a big brother, and Lewis and I would be in trouble on campus or Columbia until we matured and I treated Jeanne like she was my sister. Also, Joann Alewine I remember your name, I drove the big farm truck and lived in hesster cot when you came there. I have not been back to the campus since the mid 70s and family and work in far away places took over. De la Howe gave us a place to grow up if you tried. I hope it still will help the youth of today. Levon Smith
January 25th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Hello Levon, I remember you also. I remember you were in Hester Cottage. All the folks you mentioned are members on our Alumni Web Site. Please send me your email address and I will send you an invitation to sign in. It is completely Free. We love to hear about your memories and you can veiw hundreds of photos taken during the time you were at de la Howe. My email: jodurst1954@yahoo.com. sincerely JO Ann Alewine Durst
January 26th, 2013 at 7:49 am
Thanks for remembering me Levon. I hold a special place in my heart for all those I met and the friends I made, I will always cherish the days at de la howe. It was my home for a long time and I still call it home the friends I made I call family now. So glad I had the opportunity to experience all that de la howe had to offer
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