Stateburg Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stateburg Historic District
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Church of the Holy Cross, Stateburg
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Roughly bounded by U.S. Route 76 and South Carolina Highways 261 and 441, near Sumter, South Carolina |
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| Area | 5,066 acres (2,050 ha) |
| Architect | Jones, E.C. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000809 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1971 |
The Stateburg Historic District is a special area in Stateburg, near Sumter. It's located in a beautiful spot called the High Hills of Santee. This district is important because it protects many old buildings and places that tell us about the past.
Inside this historic district, you'll find two very famous spots: Borough House Plantation and the Church of the Holy Cross. These are so important that they are called National Historic Landmarks! The entire district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 24, 1971. It covers a large area, about 5,066 acres (20.5 square kilometers), stretching north and east of Stateburg.
Exploring Stateburg's History
Stateburg was founded in 1783 by a famous general named Thomas Sumter. He had a big dream: he wanted Stateburg to become the capital city of South Carolina! However, it lost by just a few votes to Columbia.
Before Stateburg was a town, people from Charleston used this area. They built summer homes here to escape the very hot weather in the Lowcountry. Stateburg was also the main town (called the county seat) for Claremont County from 1783 to 1800. It was a busy and growing community until April 1865. During the American Civil War, many buildings were sadly destroyed by Union soldiers.
Important Places in the District
The Stateburg Historic District includes many interesting places. These are called "contributing properties" because they help tell the story of the district's history. Here are some of them:
- Borough House Plantation: A large, historic home that is one of the two National Historic Landmarks in the district.
- Brookland Plantation: Another significant plantation house in the area.
- Chapel of Ease: This small chapel was built for Natalie DeLage Sumter, who was General Thomas Sumter's daughter-in-law.
- High Hills of Santee Baptist Church: An old church that has been a part of the community for many years.
- Maverick House: A historic home with its own unique story.
- Miller House (also known as Ellison House): This was once the home of Governor Stephen D. Miller. He sold it to William Ellison, a formerly enslaved person who had bought his freedom in 1816.
- Millwood Plantation: Another historic plantation that adds to the district's importance.
- Moorhill: A notable property within the district.
- Oakland Plantation: An important historical site.
- The Ruins: This was the home of General Thomas Sumter starting in 1784. Even though it's called "The Ruins," the house is still standing today!
- Tomb of General Thomas Sumter: This is where General Thomas Sumter is buried. It's a South Carolina State Historic Site and is looked after as part of the nearby Poinsett State Park.
