The Webster Rock School is an historic rock Works Progress Administration

Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...

 school located on NC 116 in Webster, North Carolina

Webster, North Carolina

Webster is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 363.Webster was the first county seat of Jackson county, until Sylva took over in 1913.-Geography:Webster is located at ....

, USA. In 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

. It once served as Webster High School and Webster Elementary School. The High School was active from 1936 until consolidation into Sylva-Webster High School (Now Smoky Mountain High School

Smoky Mountain High School

Smoky Mountain High School is a public high school located in Sylva, North Carolina. The school formed as a result of the consolidation of the former Sylva-Webster High School and Cullowhee High School in 1988, at the Sylva-Webster Campus, which dates to 1960....

) in 1960. The Elementary School remained until it was consolidated with the old 1940 WPA Rock Savannah School and 1929 Brick Colonial Sylva Elementary School into the futuristic, round buildings of Fairview Elementary School in 1973. Savannah School still stands on US 441 as the Old School Antique Mall, but Sylva Elementary, along with Sylva High School, were demolished in 1975 and 1990 to build Mark Watson Park on US 23.

National Register listing

• Webster Rock School (added 1990)
• NC 116, Webster
• Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering, Works Progress Administration, Educational Institution
• Architect, builder, or engineer: Works Progress Administration
• Architectural Style: Colonial
• Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History,
• Period of Significance: 1930s
• Owner: Jackson County Government
• Historic Function: Primary and Secondary Education
• Historic Sub-function: School Building
• Current Function: County Offices, Day Care Center
• Current Sub-function: Community Building

Current use

The old Webster Rock School is presently being used as the Southwestern Child Development Center, as well as the Family Resources Center for Jackson County. The old Gym/Auditorium is sometimes used for community events. All of the old windows and doors have been removed, replaced by white plywood and smaller windows, and most of the original ceilings are now obscured by a drop-in ceiling. The school was used as a combination Elementary/High School until 1960 and an Elementary School until 1973. The building is in good shape, though it could use a restoration.

See also

• List of Registered Historic Places in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, North Carolina
• Smoky Mountain High School
  Smoky Mountain High School
  Smoky Mountain High School is a public high school located in Sylva, North Carolina. The school formed as a result of the consolidation of the former Sylva-Webster High School and Cullowhee High School in 1988, at the Sylva-Webster Campus, which dates to 1960....
  
  
• Jackson County Public Schools (North Carolina)
  Jackson County Public Schools (North Carolina)
  Jackson County Public Schools is a public school district serving Jackson County, North Carolina, USA. It is headquartered in the county seat of Sylva. The Jackson County School system is unique in the way that is still has a K-8 System with combined Elementary and Middle Schools, with one central...