South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Converse College Historic District, Spartanburg County (Spartanburg)
S1081774201301 S1081774201302 S1081774201303 S1081774201304 S1081774201305
Facade Annex
(Pell Hall)
Twichell
Auditorium
Carnegie Library Cleveland House
S1081774201306 S1081774201307 S1081774201308    
Judd Science
Hall
Dexter Hall Towne House

In 1889, citizens concerned with the lack of educational opportunity for young women in the Spartanburg community spearheaded a movement that led to the establishment of Converse College. Included among these interested citizens was Dexter E. Converse, and influential leader of the textile industry and the benefactor for which the college is named. Designed to provide a liberal arts education for young women, Converse was founded during the years in which the importance of education for women was being supported in the South. Although located in an urban area and within a modern campus complex, the district preserves the character of the original campus. The district contains eight buildings, including the oldest structure built on the campus, Pell Annex, as well as other buildings that reflect the school’s early history. Representative architectural styles include Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, and Classical Revival. Dates of construction on buildings within the district range from 1891 to 1915. All but one are of brick. Situated in a carefully landscaped area, the district possesses compatibility of scale and material. Listed in the National Register November 12, 1975.

View a map showing the boundaries of the Converse College Historic District.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

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