Built in 1939, Sandersville School was built as a Public Works Administration (PWA) project during the Great Depression. The building was used as a high school until Washington County High School was opened in 1959. At that time the school became Sandersville Elementary School with grades 1-8 and later 3-5. In 2009 SES was closed when Ridge Road Elementary was opened. At this time SES became virtually abandoned and in danger of demolition. Later, the State of Georgia became owners of the property to develop a satellite campus for the Oconee Fall Line Technical College. This satellite campus did not come to pass and the Washington County Historical Society leased the property for a two year term. At this time the building was finally secured and closed to prevent vandalism and decay. The Historical Society created the Save SES Committee tasked with revitalizing this valuable historic property by creating a facility for use by and for the community. This eventually led to the creation of a new entity to own and manage the property. The Sandersville School Building Authority was created in 2015 and the property transferred from the State to the Authority at the same time. The SSBA has a nine member board made up of members of the local community that fill certain positions - Fall Line Artist Guild, Sandersville Community Theatre, Washington County Historical Society, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Board of Commissioners, kaolin industry, agriculture, and two members at large. Donations for the preservation of the building:
Sandersville School Building Authority
P.O. Box 5923
Sandersville, Georgia 31082
No amount is too small. The Historical Society placed Sandersville School on Berkley's "WPA Projects in the US" website (https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/sandersville-elementary-school-sandersville-ga/). The SSBA is working to place the property on the National Register of Historic Places.
