Built 1936 (1936)-1938 Architectural style WPA Style Area 4 ha | Built by WPA NRHP Reference # 89002262 Added to NRHP 4 January 1990 | |
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Location Main Street, Webster, North Carolina | ||
The Webster Rock School is an historic school building located NC 116 / Main St., at Webster, Jackson County, North Carolina. It was built between 1936 and 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, and is one story with hip roof utilitarian building, constructed of native "river rock" in colors of tan and brown. It has an "E"-shape plan and has a 13 bay front facade. The school originally contained an auditorium, cafeteria, kitchen and eight classrooms.
Contents
In 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
History
It once served as Webster High School and Webster Elementary School. The High School was active from 1936 until consolidation into Sylva-Webster High School (Now Smoky Mountain High School) in 1960. The Elementary School remained until it was consolidated with the old 1940 WPA Rock Savannah School and 1929 Brick Colonial Sylva Elementary School into the futuristic, round buildings of Fairview Elementary School in 1973. Savannah School still stands on US 441 as the Old School Antique Mall, but Sylva Elementary, along with Sylva High School, were demolished in 1975 and 1990 to build Mark Watson Park on US 23.
Current use
The old Webster Rock School is being used as the Southwestern Child Development Center, and by the Family Resources Center for Jackson County. The old Gym/Auditorium is sometimes used for community events. The old windows and doors have been removed, replaced by white plywood and smaller windows, and most of the original ceilings are now obscured by a drop-in ceiling. The school was used as a combination Elementary/High School until 1960 and an Elementary School until 1973.