List of African-American historic places in South Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

South Carolina is full of amazing places that tell important stories about African American history. These places help us understand the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of Black people in the state. Many of these sites are recognized for their historical importance, like being on the National Register of Historic Places (which means they are special places worth protecting) or even being National Historic Landmarks (which are extra important national treasures!). Some also have special South Carolina historical markers that tell you more about them right on the spot.

This article will explore some of these significant locations across South Carolina, showing how African Americans shaped the state's past and present.

Historic Places by County

Abbeville County

In Abbeville, you can find several historic churches like Mulberry A.M.E. Church and St. James A.M.E. Church. These churches were often central to African American communities, serving as places of worship, education, and social gatherings. The President's House of Harbison College is another important site, connected to a school that provided higher education for African Americans.

Aiken County

Aiken County has sites like the Aiken Colored Cemetery, a burial ground that tells stories of past generations. Schools like Immanuel School and Schofield School were vital for educating Black children when other schools were segregated. Places like Carrsville and the site of the Hamburg Massacre remind us of important events and communities in history.

Allendale County

In Allendale, the Happy Home Baptist Church stands as a testament to the strength and faith of the community.

Anderson County

Pendleton is home to the Faith Cabin Library at Anderson County Training School, which was part of a network of small libraries created to provide books and learning opportunities for African Americans during a time when resources were limited.

Bamberg County

Denmark is significant for Voorhees University, a historically Black college that has educated many students over the years. The Voorhees College Historic District is recognized for its historical buildings.

Barnwell County

Barnwell features Bethlehem Baptist Church, a historic church that played a role in the community. In Blackville, Macedonia Baptist Church also holds historical importance.

Beaufort County

Brick Church at Penn Center

Beaufort County is rich in African American history, especially around the Sea Islands.

In Beaufort, you can find the Robert Smalls House. Robert Smalls was an amazing hero who escaped slavery during the Civil War by piloting a Confederate ship to freedom. He later became a U.S. Congressman.
The Beaufort National Cemetery is a resting place for many soldiers, including African American troops who fought for freedom.
Churches like First African Baptist Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church were important community centers.
Hilton Head has sites like Fort Howell, built by African American soldiers, and the Mitchelville Site, which was one of the first self-governing communities for formerly enslaved people.
St. Helena Island is home to the Penn Center Historic District, a very important place. It was one of the first schools for freed slaves in the South and later became a key meeting place for civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr.. Many "Praise Houses" like Eddings Point Community Praise House are also found here, which were small buildings used for religious services and community gatherings.

Berkeley County

In Berkeley County, places like the Cainhoy Historic District and the Cordesville Rosenwald School tell stories of community life and education. Rosenwald Schools were special schools built for African American children in the early 20th century, thanks to a partnership between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald.

Calhoun County

Calhoun County includes sites like the Fort Motte Rosenwald School Site and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Fort Motte. These places highlight the importance of education and faith in African American communities.

Charleston County

Old Marine Hospital/Jenkin's Orphanage

Charleston is a city with deep historical roots for African Americans.

The Denmark Vesey House is the home of Denmark Vesey, who planned a major slave revolt in 1822.
Emanuel A.M.E. Church is one of the oldest and most significant Black churches in the South, known for its long history and its role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The Old Slave Mart is a former slave auction gallery, now a museum, that helps us remember the painful history of slavery.
The Jenkins Orphanage provided care and education for African American children.
Sites like the Stono River Slave Rebellion Site mark the location of one of the earliest and largest slave rebellions in American history.
On James Island, the McLeod Plantation offers a look into the lives of enslaved people and their descendants.
John's Island has Moving Star Hall and The Progressive Club, which were important centers for community organizing and civil rights efforts.

Cherokee County

In Gaffney, Dunton Chapel Methodist Church and Granard Graded and High School are notable sites. Near Pacolet, the Mulberry Chapel Methodist Church is another historic religious site.

Chester County

Chester features the Black Rock Baptist Church/Black Rock School, showing the dual role of churches as educational centers. The Brainerd Institute was also an important school for African Americans.

Chesterfield County

Cheraw is the birthplace of the famous jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie. The Robert Smalls School is another important educational site in the county.

Clarendon County

Clarendon County played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.

In Summerton, the Scott’s Branch School and the Briggs Family House are connected to the landmark Briggs v. Elliott court case. This case was one of the five cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education, which led to the desegregation of public schools in the United States.

Colleton County

In Walterboro, the Colleton Training School and the Gruber Street USO were involved in training the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.

Darlington County

Darlington has the Darlington Memorial Cemetery and the Edmund H. Deas House, which tell stories of community leaders and their lives. Many churches like Macedonia Church and Round O Baptist Church are also found here.

Dillon County

Dillon County includes Selkirk Farm in Bingham, a historic farm. In Latta, the Pine Hill A.M.E. Church/Pine Hill Rosenwald School highlights the importance of education and faith.

Dorchester County

In Dorchester County, the St. Paul Camp Ground near Harleyville is a significant religious site. The St. George Rosenwald School in St. George also represents the efforts to provide education for African American children.

Edgefield County

Edgefield County is home to Bettis Academy and Junior College near Trenton. This institution provided education for African Americans for many years.

Fairfield County

Ridgeway features Camp Welfare, a historic campground used for religious gatherings. The Fairfield Institute was another important educational institution in the area.

Florence County

Florence has the Ebony Guest House, which provided lodging for African American travelers during segregation. The Historic Downtown African American Business District shows the economic life of the community. The city is also the birthplace of artist William H. Johnson. The Lynching of Frazier Baker in Lake City is a somber reminder of racial violence.

Georgetown County

Friendfield Church at Hobcaw Barony

Georgetown County has many historic plantations that offer insights into the lives of enslaved people, such as the Mansfield Plantation Slave Street.

In Georgetown, the Joseph H. Rainey House is the home of Joseph H. Rainey, the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hobcaw Barony is a large estate with historical connections to African American labor.
Pawley's Island has the Cedar Grove Plantation Chapel, a chapel used by enslaved people.

Greenville County

Greenville has sites like Allen Temple A.M.E. Church and John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, important religious centers. The Greenville County Courthouse was the site of the Willie Earle Lynching Trial, a significant event in civil rights history. The Working Benevolent Temple and Professional Building was a hub for African American businesses and organizations.

Greenwood County

Greenwood is the birthplace of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a prominent educator and civil rights leader who mentored Martin Luther King Jr.. Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church is another historic site.

Hampton County

Hampton has the Hampton Colored School, an important educational institution. Churches like Cherry Grove Christian Church and Huspah Baptist Church were also central to the community.

Horry County

Atlantic Beach was historically a popular beach resort for African Americans during segregation. In Myrtle Beach, Charlie’s Place was a famous nightclub that hosted many Black musicians.

Jasper County

Ridgeland is connected to Clementa Carlos Pinckney, a state senator and pastor who was tragically killed in the Charleston church shooting. The Honey Hill-Boyd's Neck Battlefield was a site of Civil War battles involving African American soldiers.

Kershaw County

In Camden, the Bonds Conway House and the Thomas English House are historic homes. Mather Academy was an important school for African American students.

Lancaster County

Lancaster County features the Mount Carmel A.M.E. Zion Campground, a significant religious gathering place. In Kershaw, both Clinton AME Zion Church and Unity Baptist Church are historic churches.

Laurens County

Laurens has the Bell Street School/Martha Dendy School, which was important for education. Bethel A.M.E. Church and Saint Paul First Baptist Church are also historic religious sites.

Lee County

In Bishopville, Dennis High School is a historic school that served the African American community.

Lexington County

Batesburg-Leesville is associated with the Blinding of Isaac Woodard, a shocking act of racial violence that helped spark the Civil Rights Movement.

Marion County

In Marion, Taylor's Barber Shop is a historic business. Mullins has Mt. Olive Baptist Church, an important community church.

Marlboro County

Bennettsville includes St. Michael's Methodist Church and Marlboro Training High School, both significant to the African American community.

Newberry County

Hope Rosenwald School

Newberry has the Hannah Rosenwald School and Peoples Hospital, which provided healthcare for African Americans. Near Pomaria, the Hope Rosenwald School is another example of the important Rosenwald schools.

Oconee County

Library of Seneca Institute - Seneca Junior High

In Seneca, the Faith Cabin Library at Seneca Junior College and the Seneca Institute were vital for education. The Retreat Rosenwald School in Westminster also served the community.

Orangeburg County

Lee Library at Claflin College

Orangeburg is a very important center for African American history and education.

It is home to two historically Black colleges: Claflin College and South Carolina State University. These universities have educated generations of African Americans and played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The city was the site of the Orangeburg Massacre in 1968, where students protesting segregation were shot by state troopers. This tragic event is remembered at the South Carolina State University campus.
The All-Star Triangle Bowl was a site of civil rights sit-ins.

Pickens County

In Clemson, the Fort Hill Slave and Convict Cemetery and Fort Hill Slave Quarters remind us of the enslaved people who worked on the land that became Clemson University. The university's history also includes its integration. In Liberty, the Liberty Colored High School was an important school for the community.

Richland County

Chapelle Administration Building at Allen University

Columbia, the state capital, has many significant African American historic sites.

Allen University and Benedict College are two historically Black colleges that have shaped countless lives. The Chappelle Administration Building at Allen University is a National Historic Landmark.
The Mann-Simons Cottage was the home of a formerly enslaved woman who became a successful businesswoman.
The Modjeska Monteith Simkins House was the home of Modjeska Monteith Simkins, a key civil rights activist in South Carolina.
The Randolph Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery.
The Carver Theatre and Leevy’s Funeral Home were important Black-owned businesses.
The Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital was a hospital that served the African American community during segregation.
The Pine Grove Rosenwald School is another example of the important Rosenwald schools.
The State House was the site of many civil rights protests, including the Edwards v. S.C. case, which protected the right to peaceful protest.

Saluda County

In Ridge Springs, the Ridge Hill High School and Faith Cabin Library were important for education.

Spartanburg County

Spartanburg is connected to the "Harlem Hell Fighters", an African American infantry regiment that served bravely in World War I. The Mary H. Wright Elementary School is a historic school in the city.

Sumter County

Mayesville is the birthplace of Mary McLeod Bethune, a famous educator and civil rights leader who founded Bethune-Cookman University. The Goodwill Parochial School is also in Mayesville.

Union County

Union has historic churches like Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church and Corinth Baptist Church. The Union Community Hospital provided healthcare for the African American community.

Williamsburg County

In Greeleyville, the McCollum-Murray House is a historic home. Kingstree is connected to Stephen Atkins Swails, an African American politician and minister who served during Reconstruction. Spring Gully is the home of famous musician Chubby Checker.

York County

Catawba has the Catawba Rosenwald School, another example of the important Rosenwald schools.

Rock Hill is known for the Friendship Nine, a group of civil rights activists who participated in sit-ins and chose "jail no bail" to protest segregation, inspiring others.
Clinton Junior College and Hermon Presbyterian Church are also important sites in Rock Hill.

Images for kids

Brick Church at Penn Center
Old Marine Hospital/Jenkin's Orphanage
Friendfield Church at Hobcaw Barony
Hope Rosenwald School
Library of Seneca Institute - Seneca Junior High
Lee Library at Claflin College
Chapelle Administration Building at Allen University

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