This School Building in SC was demolished in 1991

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The West End Elementary School was significant for its association with the history of public education in the city of Gaffney and for its local architectural distinction. The building, which was completed in 1917, served as a public elementary school from 1917-1975. In 1977, it became Cherokee High School. Before it was demolished in 1991, it was the oldest remaining intact public school building in the city. Victor I. Spurgeon, a prominent local contractor and builder, constructed the school. Among other buildings in Gaffney erected by Spurgeon were the Carnegie Library, the Cherokee Avenue School, the Ledger Building, and the C.H. Robbins (armory) Building.

Building Description

The West End Elementary School was a large, two-story, brick building on a raised brick basement. Brick is stretcher bond. The facade (southeast elevation) is divided into thirteen bays; the section containing the three central bays is recessed and contains the main entrance. This entrance features a crenelated surround with a Tudor arch and large finials. Recessed behind the entrance are double doors with a transom. The building has twenty-four-light metal casement windows, which are paired in the central recessed section of the facade. Windows on the first story of the facade have label moldings; those on the second story are topped by lintels. A water table defines the top of the basement level; belt courses define the bottom of the first and second-story windows. At the roofline of the building is a crenelated parapet; inset into the parapet on the facade and on the side (southwest and northeast) elevations are concrete panels with shield designs inscribed with words such as "Thrift," "Industry, "Charity," and "Hope." A larger panel, located over the main entrance, is inscribed with "Pro Patria." Modern additions have been constructed on the rear (northwest elevation) of the school.