List of plantations in South Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

South Carolina is home to many historic places called plantations. These were once large farms or estates, often with a main house and other buildings. They played a big part in the history of the state. Many of these old plantations are now protected because they are important landmarks. This means they have special historical value, either for their architecture, the events that happened there, or the people who lived there.

Historic Plantations of South Carolina

South Carolina has many old plantations that tell us about the past. These places are preserved so that future generations can learn about the history of the state.

What is a Plantation?

A plantation was a very large farm, especially common in the Southern United States. These estates usually had a main house where the owners lived, along with many other buildings for farm work and housing for workers. They were often used to grow crops like cotton or rice.

Why are These Places Important?

Many plantations in South Carolina are recognized for their historical importance. Some are called National Historic Landmarks (NHL). This is a very special title given by the U.S. government to places that are super important to the history of the entire country. Others are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This means they are important at a national, state, or local level. Protecting these sites helps us understand how people lived long ago and the changes that have shaped South Carolina.

Famous Plantations You Can Visit

Many of these historic plantations are open to the public. You can visit them to see the old houses, beautiful gardens, and learn about their history.

Boone Hall

Located in Mount Pleasant, Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working plantations. It's famous for its beautiful Avenue of Oaks, which are giant oak trees that form a tunnel over the road. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Borough House Plantation

Near Stateburg, Borough House Plantation is a National Historic Landmark. It's known for its unique collection of buildings, including a main house and several smaller structures, showing how a large estate was organized.

Brick House Ruins

On Edisto Island, the Brick House Ruins are a National Historic Landmark. These ruins are what's left of a grand house built in the early 1700s. They show us how buildings were constructed a long time ago.

Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall, near Charleston, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest unrestored plantation houses in America. It's special because it has kept its original look for centuries, showing how architecture was back then.

Fort Hill

In Clemson, Fort Hill is a National Historic Landmark. This was once the home of John C. Calhoun, a very important politician in American history. It's now part of Clemson University.

Hampton Plantation

Hampton Plantation, near McClellanville, is a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful plantation house is known for its grand architecture and its connection to important South Carolina families. It's now a state park.

Hopsewee

Hopsewee, near Georgetown, is a National Historic Landmark. This historic house was built around 1740 and is a great example of colonial architecture. It was the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

In Charleston, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's famous for its stunning gardens, which are some of the oldest public gardens in America.

Mansfield Plantation

Mansfield Plantation, near Georgetown, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's one of the best-preserved rice plantations in the country, showing what these large farms looked like.

Marshlands

Marshlands, in Beaufort, is a National Historic Landmark. This elegant house is a great example of early 19th-century architecture in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

McLeod Plantation

On James Island near Charleston, McLeod Plantation is on the National Register of Historic Places. This site helps visitors understand the lives of both the plantation owners and the people who worked there.

Middleburg Plantation

Middleburg Plantation, near Huger, is a National Historic Landmark. It's one of the oldest wooden houses in South Carolina, built in the late 1600s.

Middleton Place

Middleton Place, near Summerville, is a National Historic Landmark. It has America's oldest landscaped gardens, started in 1741. It's a beautiful place to explore history and nature.

Millford Plantation

Near Pinewood, Millford Plantation is a National Historic Landmark. It's known for its grand Greek Revival architecture, which is a style of building that looks like ancient Greek temples.

Mulberry Plantation (Moncks Corner)

This Mulberry Plantation, near Moncks Corner, is a National Historic Landmark. It's a very old plantation house, built in the early 1700s, with a unique design.

Mulberry Plantation (Camden)

Another Mulberry Plantation, near Camden, is also a National Historic Landmark. This one was the home of James and Mary Boykin Chesnut, important figures in South Carolina history.

Walnut Grove Plantation

Near Spartanburg, Walnut Grove Plantation is on the National Register of Historic Places. This site gives visitors a look into life in the Upstate region of South Carolina in the 18th century.

Wedge Plantation

The Wedge Plantation, near McClellanville, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's known for its well-preserved buildings and its history as a rice plantation.

Woodlands

Woodlands, near Bamberg, is a National Historic Landmark. This historic home is a beautiful example of Southern architecture from the early 1800s.

Other Notable Plantations

South Carolina has many other important plantations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Allison Plantation, Annandale, Arcadia, Ashley Hall, Beneventum, Black River, Brookland, Cedar Grove Plantation Chapel, Charlton Hall, Chicora Wood, Coffin Point, Crawford's Plantation House, Dantzler, Darby, Davis, Fairfield, Farmfield, Fonti Flora, Friendfield, Frogmore Plantation Complex, Goodwill, Gravel Hill, Grove, Harrietta, Hobcaw Barony, Keithfield, Kensington, Landsford, Laurel Bay, Lawson's Pond, Lewisfield, Long Point, Lydia, Marshlands Plantation House, Midway, Midfield, Mountain Shoals, Newington, Numertia, Oakland, Oaklyn, Old House Plantation (Edisto Island), Old House Plantation (Ridgeland), Orange Grove, Otranto, Peter's Point, Pine Island, Point of Pines, Quinby Plantation House-Halidon Hill Plantation, Ravenwood, Richmond Hill, Richmond, Rip Raps, Riverside Plantation Tabby Ruins, Rose Hill, Rosemont, Roseville, Rural Hall, Salters, John Seabrook Plantation Bridge, Seaside Plantation, Seaside Plantation House, Springfield, St. Julien, Stoney-Baynard, Summit, Sunnyside Plantation Foreman's House, Tanglewood, Tombee, White Hall Plantation House Ruins and Oak Avenue, Wicklow Hall, Windsor, and Woodland Plantation. Each of these places has its own unique story and contributes to the rich history of South Carolina.