History & Genealogy
Union County Museum and Historical Society
Union, SC 29379
Housed in a beautifully restored 1923 building, the museum contains a broad collection of the county's history. Amassed over a period of more than one hundred years, artifacts include furniture, farm and textile equipment, pictures, portraits, personal items, several hundred photographs, pottery, glass, textiles, books and extensive archival materials. Every period of the county's history is represented. Included in the Military Exhibit are two of the three Civil War battle flags, which survived the war as the well as the table upon which the Ordinance of Secession was drawn up and signed; Pee Ridge Volunteers and Johnson Rifles which were at Appomattox; several uniforms including those belonging to General Wm. Wallace, General "States Rights" Gist and the parade/convention uniform of J. J. Eison are included along with swords and other weaponry, including one made in 1851 at the Palmetto Armory in Columbia; a pistol; books of the period as well as about the period; miscellaneous pictures, and artifacts belonging to Union blockade runners. Gift shop on premises where books, maps and other items of historical interest are available. An extensive land grant map book can be purchased as well as artwork by local artisans. Many of these items are one-of-a kind and are not available at any other location. Also genealogical research documents covering Union County primarily, with numerous resources from other counties in SC and other states. Limited African-American birth records from Union Community Hospital mid to late 20th century. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10 am-4 pm, 1st Saturdays: 1-4 pm. No paid researchers, but staff will perform limited research for a small fee.
Winnsboro and Fairfield County
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Winnsboro, named after the prominent Patriot leader Richard Winn was settled in 1775. Its self-guided walking tour features a view of the Cornwallis House, the winter headquarters for the British general. Lord Cornwallis gave Fairfield County (where Winnsboro is located) its name in 1780. While he and his troops occupied the town, he looked over the countryside and remarked, "What fair fields". Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 Chamber at Town Clock. Walking Tours, Brochures available on weekends from the downtown merchants. The Town Clock is on the right in the center of downtown. Sherman's troops spent three days pillaging and burning across the county in February 1865 after burning Columbia. General William's troops came into the downtown area and protected much of the historic district by posting guards in residences. Still several important sites were lost to the torches of stragglers.
Winnsboro Town Clock
Winnsboro, SC 29180
In 1785, the General Assembly of South Carolina authorized the establishment of a public market in the town of Winnsborough. On land donated by Robert Cathcart in the center of Washington Street, a site for a new market house and town clock was chosen. The work on purchasing the clock began around 1833 and the materials were ordered from France. The clock was erected in 1837. In 1875, it became necessary to repair the clock tower. An African-American carpenter, John Smart, of Winnsboro did the work and the present tower was erected. It has run for more than 100 years thereby distinguishing itself as the longest, continuously running town clock in the United States. The clock and the tower are the focal points of the Historic Downtown Winnsboro walking tour. The building also houses the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. (803) 635-4242.
York County Library and Local History Room
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 am-8 pm; Fri & Sat: 9 am-6 pm; Sun: 2 pm-6 pm (September through May only). Areas covered: York County and surrounding areas; also the Catawba Indians. Paid researchers will do research within the library’s collection
only. Additional charges for photocopies and microfilm copies.
York Historic District
Settled by the Scotch-Irish from Pennsylvania and named after York County, PA., the “White Rose City” now boasts one of the largest historic districts in the country. Self-guided tour books are available at Chamber of Commerce. Downtown York.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC 29715
In 1995, this 2,100 acre nature preserve was dedicated to the public to serve as a natural buffer from urban development and a place for countless activities – from hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, to picnics, kayaking and more. The Greenway holds a wealth of cultural resources, including the historic Nation Ford Road, which was part of the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road, a pathway that was used by Native Americans, European settlers, Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers, traders and trappers for hundreds of years. In addition, the Greenway contains two circa-1800 log cabins, a dairy barn built in 1946 and the site of the Garrison-Webb gristmill for which Fort Mill is named. A part of Leroy Springs & Company, Inc. and a site on the SC Ag + Art Tour.
Battle for the Catawba Bridge at Nation Ford
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This railroad bridge was burned as a result of the battle, forcing President Jefferson Davis to cross on a pontoon bridge here during his flight south following the fall of Richmond. York District had the highest death rate of any county in South Carolina during the War. Even though only this one battle--a minor one, the battle for the Catawba Bridge at Nation Ford in 1865--was fought in York County, the war caused a great upheaval in the county that was not soon overcome. Growth was halted, and in fact there were fewer residents in the town of York in 1880 than had been there in 1860.
Battle of Boykin’s Mill
Rembert, SC 29128
A marker notes the site of this Civil War battle which took place on April 18, 1865, one of the last during the conflict. On that day, about 250 Confederate soldiers and volunteers with the SC Home Guard fought the federal soldiers. The federal troops won the battle but their progress was delayed by a full day. During the conflict, First Lieutenant E. L. Stevens of the all-Negro 54th Massachusetts Infantry (depicted in the film, "Glory", starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman), was killed, thus distinguishing him as the last federal officer to die in the Civil War. The battle took place nine days after the end of the war had been declared. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was the first group of former slaves and freemen to fight as a commissioned group. It is rumored that a slave in Boykin led soldiers of the 54th to the most strategic fighting locations in the surrounding woods. Twenty years later, the federal government sent a team to recover the bodies of the fallen soldiers. They were then buried in the National Cemetery, Florence, SC. This site has been named one of the "Top 10 Carolinas' Civil War Sites" by John Blair in his book, Touring the Carolinas' Civil War Sites.
Battle of Hanging Rock
Kershaw, SC 29067
Identifiable by the rock's unusual shape and appearance, the site is one of a Revolutionary War battle. In August 1780, a group Gen. Thomas Sumter's troops attacked and defeated a large contingent of British and Loyalist troops here. It is also the site of a Union encampment where Sherman spent two days during the Civil War. A granite marker was erected at the foot of Hanging Rock in 1948 by the Waxhaws Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Off Flat Rock Road, approximately five miles south of the Town of Heath Springs.
Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Clover`, SC 29710
Founded in 1764, this is one of the oldest churches in the region. A vast number of Revolutionary War patriots are buried in the church's cemetery. According to the History of the Presbyterian Church of Bethel (1938), Patrick Ferguson had made it known that upon leaving Kings Mountain, he intended to spend one night in Bethel Church, leave it in ashes by daylight, and be on the east side of the Catawba before nightfall. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Black Rock Baptist Church
Chester, SC 29706
According to church history, Black Rock Baptist Church was founded in 1853 by the Rev. Leroy Featherstone, who served as its pastor for 67 years. It began as brush arbor constructed of tree limbs laid on cane poles. Not only was Black Rock a place for social gathering and spiritual instruction, but it also served as a site to educate black children. The school at Black Rock was established in 1884 by Mansel P. Hall, a local minister who later founded Friendship Junior College in Rock Hill. Black Rock, as it is today, was constructed in 1920 and remodeled in the late 1960s. View from outside; open on Sundays.
Blue Branch Presbyterian Church
Sharon, SC 29742
One of the oldest African-American church in the region. It was established shortly after the Civil War and is called the mother of all other local black churches. The grave of Ellison Sanders, who "was killed in 1884 because of his Democratic Principles",is located behind the church and the marker states that it was "erected by his white friends". Although regular services are no longer held at Blue Branch, the Friends of Blue Branch hold a camp meeting at the church on the first Sunday afternoon in September each year. Contact Billy Powell (864) 545-6370 or Johnny McKnight (803) 927-7365.
Boxwood Hall (c. 1822)
Cheraw, SC 29520
A cannon ball hit the porch of this house. A ham hidden in the attic left a grease spot on a ceiling that is still difficult to keep paint on. Private Residence.
Brainerd Institute
Chester, SC 29706
This was one of several educational institutions for freed slaves and their children started by the Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church USA. Formally organized in 1868, Brainerd merged with Fairfield Institute (Winnsboro) in 1888. Brainerd was a feeder school for many colleges, including Benedict College and Johnson C. Smith University. The last class graduated in 1939. Today one building, Kumler Hall, remains on the 18-acre campus. In the late 1990s, actress Phylicia Rashad and her sister, dancer Debbie Allen answered the call for support. Rashad purchased the property in honor of their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, who was in its last graduating class. Both Rashad and Allen continue to assist in programming and fundraising for the site now being preserved for the establishment of a cultural center. On the National Register of Historical Places.
Brook Benton Home
Lugoff, SC 29078
This home (located on an acre of land that was once a part of the Ingleside Plantation) is the last United States residence of the legendary pop singer most noted for his song, "Rainy Night in Georgia". Brook was born in Camden in September, 1931 as Benjamin Franklin Peay and learned gospel music from his parents. He began his career in New York City in 1951 and recorded prolifically for more than two decades. Brook had more than 20 gold records and 40 top singles in his career. He was noted for writing his own music at a time when others in the recording industry considered this too risky to undertake. Brook Benton died at the age of 56. He is buried in the cemetery of the Unity United Methodist Church (formerly the Ephesus United Methodist Church, c.1869), 274 Lachicotte Rd.,in Lugoff. Note: The home is private property. Please view from the street.
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