Piedmont Athletic Association Hall of Fame

The record of Sterling High School, Greenville County's first predominately Black high school, is that of struggle and triumph. It covers a period of nearly seventy-five years. The story of Sterling began in the early 1890's, when the Rev. D.M. Minus was appointed to the pastorate of John Wesley Church in Greenville, the beginning of a great work.



Rev. Minus was born in Colleton County, South Carolina, on June 15, 1848, of slave parents; his father was Elijah and his mother was Sarah Minus. The oldest of thirteen children, Minus was brought to Greenville to accomplish two things: (1) John Wesley Church needed a new brick building; and (2) the children needed a high school in Greenville so they could prepare for life's duties without leaving their hometown.

Several churches in Greenville waited for Rev. Minus to establish the high school. Finally an educational association was organized. Each member was assessed a certain amount, an attorney was employed, and then a petition was presented to the Secretary of State asking for the privilege to establish such an institution.

After the charter was received from the Secretary of State in October of 1896, the trustees made arrangements with the officers of John Wesley Church to open the school in the lecture room of the church. Rev. D.M. Minus was elected president of the new school called Greenville Academy. It continued in the lecture room for two years, after which the school got too large for the room, and the trustees of the school bought the church. The church invested money from the sale to build their new brick building on Falls Street.

Finally in 1902, the trustees decided to sell the church property on Silver Hill and purchase land for the school outside the city limits. Mr. B.M. McGee agreed to sell six acres of land, and Rev. Minus had to pay down a certain amount to secure the land until he could get the help and cooperation of the trustees. Different individuals made donations. For example, Mr. James Maxwell gave $5.00 to help meet the first payment. Rev. Minus suggested the names of other good and influential white men, who, he thought, would accept a place on the board. Every man that he recommended accepted. Finally, he had seven of the best white businessmen in Greenville on his Board of Trustees. Minus said that these white men taught him more practical business sense than he ever had. Mr. James H. Maxwell was his endorser at the bank for twenty-five years. He assessed himself $20.00 per year for the school and also had the black trustees assess themselves.

Mr. Thomas F. Parker made the largest donation to the school. He erected a splendid two-story building, which was worth $2,500, and gave the school a fine mule at $250. He also secured aid for the institution and had his bookkeeper teach Rev. Minus bookkeeping and how to balance the accounts of the institution each week. Additionally, he sent the president to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and a school in Durham, North Carolina, to see and study the methods of those great schools.

Mr. Parker also bought several acres of land around the school and divided it into lots and streets. He named the streets for the President and Founder of the school, and also for the leading black men on the Board of Trustees. Today, these are Sterling, Middleton, Minus, Malloy, and Valentine Streets. Parker sold the property only to black people, and gave them five to ten years to pay for it; this created a complete town consisting entirely of blacks.

Mr. C.E. Graham was elected chairman of the finance committee. He donated $100 to the school. For eight to 10 years he served as one of the white trustees of the school. Another influential trustee was Captain James F. Mackey. Recognized as one of the most useful members of the board of trustees, he not only gave his time and experience to this institution, but also his influence, his means, and his best talent to help make the school a success. Every year he donated $25 to the institution.

Mr. T. O. Lawton, the youngest member of the board of trustees, was by no means the least. He donated $10 to the school annually. Mr. T.P. Hayne was one of the most intelligent members of the board. For several years he was the secretary of the Board of Trustees for the City Graded Schools, and perhaps was the most influential man on the board. Mr. W.G. Sirrine, Attorney, also rendered priceless aid to the institution.

The black trustees were: Rev. D.M. Minus, President; Rev. J.B. Middleton, Chairman of the Board donated $280; Rev. N.D. Maloy ($150); Rev. W.G. Valentine ($10); Mr. A.B. Davis ($20); Mr. W.R. Sewell ($10); Mr. T.J. Bryant ($15); Mr. J.F. Cureton ($5); Mr. J.W. Johnson ($10); Mr. T.B. Simpson ($10); Mr. A. Tolbert and Mr. Jones W. Thomas ($20).

Several names were suggested for the school. But finally it was voted to call it Sterling Industrial College in honor of Mrs. E.R. Sterling of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the lady who paid for Rev. Minus's college education at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Rev. Minus said, "Mrs. Sterling was a great woman and she deserved all of the honor we could bestow upon her for it will take eternity to tell the good she has accomplished for the uplift and elevation of suffering humanity." Mrs. Sterling was consulted and finally agreed to have the school named for her, and she gave the first donation of $75.00. At this time she was 87 years of age.

The original building was designed and constructed by Mr. W.R. "William" Sewell, one of Greenville's leading black contractors. Later, it was remodeled, with additions, and a building especially designed for trades was added to the plant.

With such worthy men as Rev. Minus's associates and coworkers, the institution continued to progress. Rev. D.M. Minus will always be remembered as the first founder and president. Due to the school's growth, Rev. Minus was asked to give up his ministerial work and devote all his time to the school at a salary of $50 per month. He did this until November, 1913, when he resigned the presidency and returned to ministerial work. He was succeeded by President Carey Jones. When he accepted another position, Sterling was forced to close for a short period.

In 1915, the Enoree River Baptist Association had bought four acres of land in the City of Greenville with a nine-room building, an orchard and city water. They changed the name to Enoree High School and the Rev. E.C. Murray became the president, with the Rev. E.E. Riley of Seneca, S.C. the first principal. It was a boarding school and had a very successful beginning. His successor, Professor E.H. Trezevant, was the principal in 1929. This school was operated for 14 years.

In 1929, when the School District of Greenville County purchased the building for $2,518.39 and changed the name back to Sterling High School. Sterling was the first black public high school in the county. The board elected J.C. Martin as principal. He remained only one school term. In September, 1930, he was succeeded by Professor Robert L. Hickson, who caught the same vision as its founder. Under his 10-year leadership term, the reputation of the school was widely acclaimed, and the physical plant was expanded. The name Sterling High School became quite prominent throughout the country. During his administration the famous Alma Mater was written.

From 1940 to 1960, Professor J.E. Beck from Georgetown, SC served as principal of Sterling. During his tenure, in 1949 the grades were extended from 11 to 12 years. The curriculum was broadened to include many trade courses. An extensive physical education program and various branches of science and secretarial training were added. The Torch, Sterling's high school yearbook, was first published in 1942, and a newsletter, named The Pinta, would be added later. Sterling was admitted to the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1953.

Going to the famous "Huddle" (Soda Shop) became the pastime after school for the students. The football games were played at Sirrine Stadium, and all baseball games and track meets took place at the Meadowbrook Park.

Sterling, known as the Tigers, became classified as an "AAA" school and won many championships and awards in all areas of the educational system. The Male Glee Club and Quartet were active from 1935-1960, under the direction of Wilfred J. Walker, Sr. Singers from Sterling often won scholarships to college because of their talent.

In 1960, Rev. H.O. Mims became principal of Sterling. He was truly a home-grown product, having been a student, teacher, assistant principal, and then principal at the school. Under his leadership Sterling continued to grow, and the County School Board voted to renovate the building in early September of 1967.



In 1929, when the School District of Greenville County purchased the building for $2,518.39 and changed the name back to Sterling High School. Sterling was the first black public high school in the county. The board elected J.C. Martin as principal. He remained only one school term. In September, 1930, he was succeeded by Professor Robert L. Hickson, who caught the same vision as its founder. Under his 10-year leadership term, the reputation of the school was widely acclaimed, and the physical plant was expanded. The name Sterling High School became quite prominent throughout the country. During his administration the famous Alma Mater was written.

From 1940 to 1960, Professor J.E. Beck from Georgetown, SC served as principal of Sterling. During his tenure, in 1949 the grades were extended from 11 to 12 years. The curriculum was broadened to include many trade courses. An extensive physical education program and various branches of science and secretarial training were added. The Torch, Sterling's high school yearbook, was first published in 1942, and a newsletter, named The Pinta, would be added later. Sterling was admitted to the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1953.

Going to the famous "Huddle" (Soda Shop) became the pastime after school for the students. The football games were played at Sirrine Stadium, and all baseball games and track meets took place at the Meadowbrook Park.

Sterling, known as the Tigers, became classified as an "AAA" school and won many championships and awards in all areas of the educational system. The Male Glee Club and Quartet were active from 1935-1960, under the direction of Wilfred J. Walker, Sr. Singers from Sterling often won scholarships to college because of their talent.

In 1960, Rev. H.O. Mims became principal of Sterling. He was truly a home-grown product, having been a student, teacher, assistant principal, and then principal at the school. Under his leadership Sterling continued to grow, and the County School Board voted to renovate the building in early September of 1967.

Unfortunately, disaster would strike before this ever had a chance to occur. On Friday evening, September 15, 1967, the Sterling student body danced at a party sponsored by the Senior Class to raise money for the "Miss Homecoming" drive. At 10:40 p.m. the disc jockey from WHYZ announced this warning over the microphone, "An emergency has occurred. We urge each of you to leave the building quickly and calmly as possible."

Immediately, the students filed out of the building in an orderly and calm fashion, only to find their beloved Sterling had caught fire. Tears streaming down their faces, they watched the leaping flames engulf their school. Firemen from the Parker District fought desperately to extinguish the fire. They remained on the scene well into the next day and returned from time to time throughout the weekend.

The fire destroyed the entire physical plant, with the exception of the gymnasium, which miraculously escaped major damage.

There were numerous pleas, petitions and even marches to encourage the Board to rebuild Sterling. In addition to telephone calls and personal appearances before officials of the Greenville County School District, over one thousand parents and students signed petitions asking to keep the student body intact. Moreover, four-fifths of the student body marched on the County office protesting any hint that they would be disbanded.

Finally, the Board of Trustees agreed to house students on an interim basis at Greenville Junior High on Westfield Street, naming it Sterling Junior-Senior High School. Mr. Luke Chatman became the principal in 1968. He was the last principal of Sterling High School.

On February 17, 1970, the School District of Greenville County was integrated, and at the end of this school year there was no longer a school named Sterling. The edifice was torn down except for the gym, which has since been converted into a recreational facility operated by the Greenville County Recreation Department.

A realistic portrayal of the development and growth of Sterling High School can be revealed only in an account depicting the diligent and faithful service of many dedicated teachers and the achievements and successes of the students who bring honor and glory to their Alma Mater.

Although the physical plant is gone, fond memories of our school that served generations still lingers in the hearts and minds of scores of people near and far. Sterling High School lives on, in those who walked its halls and benefited from the lessons taught within its walls. Meanwhile, with a large part of the older black population of Greenville County continuing to identify with the site either as former students or graduates. Sterling High will continue to live on.

These are just some of the notable former Sterling students and teachers who have significantly impacted the Greenville community and beyond: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.; Dr. Thomas Elliott Kerns; Wilfred Walker; Alberta Tucker Grimes; LTC Paul Adams; Lillian Brock-Flemming; Lottie Beal Gibson; Xanthene Norris; Theo Mitchell; Ralph Anderson; William "Billy" Thompson; Eskew Reeder, Jr. (a singer/pianist who performed under the stage name "Esquerita"; The Dixie Hummingbirds (award-winning gospel ensemble); John Arthur Jones; Lloyd Walker and Dr. Charles Whittenberg.

Rev. Jackson, who graduated from Sterling in the 1950s, began working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement. Jackson would later become an icon in his own right, establishing Operation Breadbasket in the early 1970s before relocating to Chicago, where he founded Operation P.U.S.H. and the Rainbow Coalition (now known as Rainbow/P.U.S.H.). Widely recognized as a negotiator, he also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1984 and 1988, becoming the first African-American male to run for the nation's top office.

Dr. Kerns, a 1949 Sterling graduate who later taught social studies and French there, became the first African-American superintendent of the Greenville County School District. Dr. Kerns, who passed away this past November, served from 1989-1994. The district recently built an elementary school near I-85 and named the school for the longtime educator.

Mr. Walker, the school's oldest living staff member, taught masonry at Sterling; his tenure there was part of a remarkable career that saw him teach in the Greenville County School District for 40 years. Mrs. Grimes, a former biology teacher at Sterling, became the first African-American school counselor in Greenville County and went on to become the first full-time African-American counselor in the state. In 1965, she established the first Head Start Program in Greenville, and later was a founding member of the Greenville Urban League (currently The Urban League of the Upstate).

Others embarked upon careers in public service. Mrs. Gibson, a Sterling graduate, and Mrs. Norris, another former teacher, both serve on Greenville County Council. Mrs. Brock-Flemming, a Sterling graduate, has served on Greenville City Council since 1981. Mr. Mitchell, a fomer state Senator, became the first African-American to win the Democratic nomination for governor in 1990, while Mr. Anderson, a onetime City Councilman, currently serves in the South Carolina state Senate.

Mr. Thompson became an All-Pro defensive back in the National Football League, playing 11 seasons for the Denver Broncos and appearing in Super Bowl XII. In his rookie season (1969), he became the first professional player (AFL, which the Broncos were a part of at the time, or NFL) to lead the league in both kickoff returns and punt returns, establishing him as a special teams threat. Mr. Thompson, who lives in Aurora, Colo., works as the community relations liaison for the Broncos.

Through the years, the alumni and supporters of Sterling High School have worked hard to permanently ensure the legacy lives on. In 1988, the class of 1955, the first known class to form a combined class reunion, donated a monument and placed it on the site of Sterling High School. It lists the names of the principals of the school.

Another group of alumni and supporters, identified as the "Friends of Sterling," pushed hard to have a second monument erected in memory of the school's 74 years of existence. This one, located at the corner of North Main and West Washington streets in downtown Greenville (the former site of the old Woolworth's drug store), would take shape in the form of a sculpture that recognized the school's contributions to the West Greenville and Upstate communities.

Created by Camden-based sculptor Maria Kirby-Smith, the sculpture, titled "Raise High the Torch of Sterling," consists of two students, one male and one female, descending down a set of steps, the male student sporting a sweater with an "S" emblazoned on the front.

ON a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon, those dreams were finally realized. The sculpture was dedicated on Nov. 19, 2006 in an emotional ceremony, which took place at the statue site. A reception was held at the Westin Poinsett Hotel on South Main Street immediately following the ceremony.

Finally, Sterling was officially designated for inclusion in the registry as a historical landmark. The new marker, which will sit on the corner of Calhoun and Pendleton streets, was unveiled in a ceremony held January 21 at the old Sterling High gymnasium on Minus Street.

This history composed by Ruth Ann Butler, an alumna of Sterling, and president/founder of the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center. Additional information provided by Wanda Stokes.