On December
15, 1964, the Calhoun-Clemson School on College Avenue and 123 burned
during the early hours, destroying all but the lunchroom and new wing.
For the next two years, classes were held on the Clemson University
campus, at Central Elementary, in portables, and in what was left of the
old building. Students were bussed to the cafeteria from all locations
for lunch. In spite of scattered locations and other hardships, the
school flourished with the leadership of Principal Clif Harkey.
To
replace the burned Calhoun-Clemson School, construction began at
Highway 123 on Frontage Road. More than 600 students and 20 teachers
moved into the new building, called Clemson Elementary, in August of
1966. On January 22, 1967, the school was named Margaret Morrison
Elementary School in honor of "Miss Maggie," a life-long resident of
Clemson. Miss Morrison taught for 36 years in the area and retired as
principal of Calhoun-Clemson School.
After
integration in 1970, the students Calhoun Elementary on Butler Street
moved to Morrison Elementary; the building on Butler Street, known as
the Morrison Annex, was used to house primary grades. At this time there
were 1,050 students in grades one through eight. One year later, the
seventh and eighth graders moved to the newly opened R. C. Edward Junior
High School.
In
the 1979-1980 school year, Morrison Elementary was one of three
elementary schools in the state to be chosen as "Palmetto's Finest," an
award recognizing academic excellence. Since that time our school has
been a finalist for the "Palmetto's Finest" three times.
By
the 1990's Morrison Elementary School and the Morrison Annex had
outgrown their buildings. On November 16, 1999, ground was broken on
Berkeley Drive for a new school building. To return to the tradition of
community, the name Clemson Elementary was chosen for the new school.
Students and teachers moved into the building in August of 2000 under
the leadership of Principal Paul Prichard, who was named in 2001 by the
governor of South Carolina the first South Carolina Year of the Child
Hero.