Possum Trot School

The Possum Trot School, built in 1880, is one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses in South Carolina. Constructed by brothers Jimmy and Tom Pettit, the school served students through the 11th grade, reflecting the educational needs of rural communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The origin of the name “Possum Trot” is rooted in local tradition. It is believed that students reached the school by following a well-worn possum trail through the surrounding woods, giving the school its distinctive and memorable name.

Originally situated on farmland in the Midway Community just outside of Gaffney, the school remained in use at that location for many years. In 1992, a property transfer necessitated its relocation. Clemson University donated the structure, and Hamrick’s Inc. generously provided nearby land, allowing the building to be preserved and used as a living history site.

Most recently, the Possum Trot School has been relocated to the historic Mustering Grounds at the Cherokee County Museum, where it continues to serve as an important educational resource and a tangible connection to the region’s past.