The Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society
Of the Old Steele Creek Township
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

The Dixie School

DIXIE SCHOOL
(Information from Ms. Betty Berryhill McCall and various articles in The Charlotte Observer)

The Dixie School (Dixie High School) was formed originally in 1896. The Trustees at that time advertised the school indicating it was a two-story frame building, with two well-furnished and comfortable rooms on the first floor and hall in upper story. The boject was to furnish boys and girls the opportunity of a good English and Classical education preparing them for the ordinary business of life or preparing them for a college or university course.

Prof. Charles Orr, a recent graduate of Davidson College was to be the principal and Miss Mary Davis the instructor of music. Students desiring instruction on the cornet or violin could take lessons from Prof. R. C. Freeman, leader of the Steele Creek Orchestra and Brass Band. It was a 9 month school and the tuition ranged from $1.25 to $3.00 per month and boarding in good families at $9.00 per month including washing, or $8.00 excluding washing. Several small schools had been consolidated to form Dixie. One was a small school at Berryhill.

In 1906, when the new school was built, Mr. A. G. Randolph was the principal and Miss Lillie Sandifer was his assistant. In 1921, Shopton School was closed and consolidated with Dixie. At that time, Mr. R. A. Grier was principal and his assistants were Miss Isabel Choate, Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Laura Grier and Miss Violet Knox.

There were 17 members of the Class of 1920 and 15 went to college or professional schools. Many said it was the last principal, Rufus A. Grier that was given credit for the preparing of college.

The school closed in 1926, after 30 years of everything from the 3 R's to Latin. That year, Dixie was consolidated with McIver, Mulberry and big Springs and Berryhill school was built. When West Mecklenburg High School was built, Berryhill High School ceased to exist.

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