From Hagood School to Ben Hagood School

The story of the Pickens Senior Center begins more than a century ago with Hagood School, once located on Highway 178 in a modest wooden building. As the building deteriorated, students were moved into the city limits of Pickens to attend Pickens Mill School.

In 1963, the school was renamed Ben Hagood School to honor the Hagood family, whose ancestor William M. Hagood founded the Pickens Mill Textile Plant in 1907. The family’s contributions to local industry and education left a lasting legacy within the community.

Early accounts from as far back as 1894 describe Hagood School as having strong enrollment and a committed faculty, even when resources were limited. Students walked to school—often carrying their lunches in lard buckets—and learned beside a wood stove through long days filled with spelling, reading, English, and math. Lunches were simple, sometimes provided by the school, and classes ran from September through May.

By 1947, Hagood School employed three teachers for seventy-six students in seven grades. Although the building was in need of repairs and the playground space was limited, the community took pride in its school. Public programs helped fund the lunchroom during the winter months, and the school grounds, though rugged, echoed with the sound of laughter and learning.

Pickens Mill School made history as the first elementary school in South Carolina to have a full-time home economics teacher. She planned meals, supervised a school garden and livestock, guided the Junior Homemakers of America, and taught students the value of hard work and practical skills like canning vegetables—okra, beans, squash, and more.

Beyond its role in education, the school served as a community center, hosting scout meetings, neighborhood events, and an annual fair that brought families together year after year.

Our Story: From Schoolhouse to Community Center

In July 2009, the City of Pickens took ownership of the historic Ben Hagood School—formerly Pickens Mill Elementary School—from the School District of Pickens County. After years of serving generations of students, the building stood vacant and in disrepair. Recognizing its potential as a valuable community asset, the City accepted the property and began plans for revitalization.

Soon after, the City leased the facility to a newly formed nonprofit organization, the Senior Citizens of Pickens (SCoP), under a 20-year agreement. This partnership laid the foundation for what is now known as the Hagood Community Center, a vibrant hub serving both seniors and the greater Pickens community.

A Center Revived

The former school underwent extensive renovations—transforming classrooms and hallways into inviting spaces for recreation, education, and cultural enrichment. These updates modernized the facility while preserving its historic character, ensuring it could continue to serve the community for generations to come.

The final phase of restoration was completed in late 2016, with the opening of a beautifully refurbished 165-seat auditorium featuring state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and acoustics. Today, the auditorium hosts concerts, theatrical performances, community meetings, and special events, keeping alive the building’s spirit as a place where people come together to learn, create, and connect.

Continuing the Mission

Today, the Pickens Senior Center, operating within the Hagood Community Center, remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for area seniors through social, educational, and wellness programs.

Thanks to the vision of the City of Pickens and the dedication of SCoP, what was once an abandoned school now stands as a living landmark of community renewal, service, and fellowship—a bridge between the city’s past and its bright, connected future.

Source: “A History: The Schools of Pickens County,” compiled by the Pickens County Schools Historical Committee (1995), pages 124–125, 226–229.