The History of Shawtown High School

Between 1925 – 1928, the old structure was destroyed by fire. Classes were, then, taught in Lillington Star Church and the First Presbyterian Church in the Shawtown Community. Even before the destruction of the old building by fire, the citizens had begun planning for a new school. A deed dated November 21, 1923, showed that the land on which the school was erected was purchased by Mr. A. G. (Gus) McLean, Mr. James (Jim) Patterson, Mr. A. B. McLean, Mr. Joe Cannady, Mr. C. H. Bailey, Mr. Ralph Douglas, and Mr. William Shaw. These citizens became the first trustees of the new school. The new school built through the Rosenwald School Building Fund was opened in the fall of 1928 with Mr. Arthur Cheston serving as the principal. Grades primer through ten were taught. The school was, then, considered a junior high school. Electric lights were added in the 1930s and running water, with indoor plumbing facilities were installed in the early 1940s.

Mr. S. Penn followed Mr. A. Cheston as principal, serving one year. Mr. John Spivey, then, came to Shawtown in 1931. Ms. Margaret Lofton, who was already teaching in the school system, met and married Mr. Spivey. Mrs. Lucy S. Herring, who was at that time, the county supervisor, also played a major role in the growth of Shawtown School. During the tenure of Mr. Spivey, the eleventh grade was added which made Shawtown a high school. Sixteen units were required for graduation.

Among the first elementary teachers were Ms. Iola Black, Mrs. Carrie Atkins, Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Florence Ragland, Mrs. Fort, and Mr. Rhue. Teachers for the first high school classes were Mr. and Mrs Spivey, Mr. Rhue, Mr. Devane, and Ms. Doris Alford. The first school bus was purchased by Mr. Willie Campbell and was driven by his son, Perry Campbell, to Shawtown School. This bus was an old truck that was converted into a school bus. Norrington citizens, later, purchased an old black school bus that had been discarded, formerly used by white students. This bus picked up students from the Norrington and McLean’s Chapel (Bunnlevel) areas. The Angier-Kipling citizens purchased a bus that transported students from their area. This bus was driven by John Blalock. John Cox drove the first bus from Ridgeway Community and Lew Prince drove a bus from the Cameron Grove (Broadway Community). Jessie Howard Lee drove the bus from the Coats area.

The first graduating class from Shawtown High School was in 1934. By the late 1930s and in the early 1940s, the enrollment of Shawtown High School nearly doubled. It became necessary to convert the auditorium into classrooms. A wooden structure was built behind the main building which housed two classrooms. It, again, became necessary to use the area churches for classes and school activities. Lillington Star was used for class night activities, graduation, and classes. Wesley Chapel Church was used for class plays and class night activities. The Presbyterian Church was used for classes; Lillington Grove Church was used for graduation exercises, also.

In 1946, the 12th grade was added to the curriculum; the last 11th grade graduation class was in 1945. There was no graduating class in 1946. The first class graduating from the 12 year curriculum was in 1947. During this time, citizens began raising funds to purchase equipment for a hot lunch program. Mrs. Belle Minter, a retired cafeteria manager, is credited with organizing and operating the first lunchroom program at Shawtown High School. The first lunchroom was constructed and opened in 1953; as Mrs. Minter said, the lunchroom opened the year before Hurricane Hazel came through Lillington in 1954; Mrs. Minter, Mrs. Perlie Harrington and another man, name unknown, ran the cafeteria; full course meals were served. Prior to this time, soup and sandwiches were prepared and served in the Home Economics Department by Ms. Rebecca Bailey.

The main building was constructed in 1949; this included the gymnasium which was used as an auditorium, physical education classes, and basketball games. Prior to this time, basketball, our only team sport, was played on the school grounds. In 1956, after Brown vs the Board of Education case, the primary building was completed; it featured classrooms and a spacious cafeteria. It has been reported that in excess of one thousand students were enrolled in grades one through twelve.

In 1968, due to integration of the Harnett County School System, Shawtown High School was changed from a high school to an elementary school, with grades K – 6; it remained an elementary school until 1978, when it became a primary school for grades K – 3.

Mr. Ned White served as principal of Shawtown Primary School. In the early 1980s the original building was demolished. The site currently serves preschoolers as a HeadStart Center; the building built in 1956 serves as a Boys and Girls Club; the old agriculture building remains as a storage facility and the new agriculture building is office for the Shawtown High School Alumni Association.