Fence full of love

PICKENS — As a tribute to Holly Springs Elementary school students, parents, faculty and staff have spent the last week of school covering the chainlink fence that surrounds the grounds with banners, posters and balloons before the doors close for good.

According to the School District of Pickens County, Holly Springs Elementary School started with just two teachers and seven grades.

Although available records only date back to 1926, many families in the area claim ties to the institution dating back as far as 1881. The Holly Springs we know today was actually a 1954 consolidation of 10 rural schools in the area made up by teachers and students from the former Hampton, (the original) Holly Springs, Antioch, Eastatoe, Cane Creek, Rock, Rocky Bottom, Montvale, Hagood, and Midway schools.

SDPC states the name Holly Springs came about because of the location: the school lies about a mile from Scenic Highway 11, where there was an intersection of two springs. Holly grew on the banks of the two springs — hence the name, Holly Springs.

Along with AR Lewis, Holly Springs was slated to close at the conclusion of this school year.

Available records only date back to 1926, many families in the area claim ties to the institution dating back as far as 1881. The Holly Springs we know today was actually a 1954 consolidation of 10 rural schools in the area.

http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_298.jpgAvailable records only date back to 1926, many families in the area claim ties to the institution dating back as far as 1881. The Holly Springs we know today was actually a 1954 consolidation of 10 rural schools in the area. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Holly Springs came about because of the location: the school lies about a mile from Scenic Highway 11, where there was an intersection of two springs. Holly grew on the banks of the two springs — hence the name, Holly Springs.

http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_299.jpgHolly Springs came about because of the location: the school lies about a mile from Scenic Highway 11, where there was an intersection of two springs. Holly grew on the banks of the two springs — hence the name, Holly Springs. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Along with AR Lewis, Holly Springs is slated to close at the conclusion of this school year.

http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_301.jpgAlong with AR Lewis, Holly Springs is slated to close at the conclusion of this school year. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

As a tribute to Holly Springs Elementary School students, parents, faculty and staff have spent the past week covering the chain-link fence that surrounds the grounds with banners, posters and balloons — before the doors close for good.

http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_325.jpgAs a tribute to Holly Springs Elementary School students, parents, faculty and staff have spent the past week covering the chain-link fence that surrounds the grounds with banners, posters and balloons — before the doors close for good. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel