History & Genealogy
G.W. Long Memorial Presbyterian Church
Cheraw, SC 29520
Built in 1927, is the second sanctuary to stand on this site. Second Presbyterian Church was organized here in 1881 as an African-American “preaching station.” The original building also served as the Coulter Memorial Academy. Both the church and the school were founded by the Board of Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the school was the first to serve African-American children in Chesterfield County. The church and school guided only a small group until Reverend Dr. George Waldo Long, a graduate of Biddle University (now Johnson C. Smith University) in Charlotte, arrived to Cheraw with his wife, Lillian, in 1908. Dr. Long served as pastor of Second Presbyterian Church and principal of Coulter Academy. Together the Longs worked to increase the population of the church and the school, making needed improvements along the way. Under Dr. Long’s guidance, a brick building was constructed behind the church in 1924 to house Coulter Academy. The current church, shown here, was constructed a few years later, in 1927, replacing the original. Dr. Long died in 1943 but saw his decades of work flourish, as Coulter Memorial Academy increased from eight students in 1908 to 298 in 1943. Sometime after his death the church changed its name to G.W. Long Memorial Presbyterian Church in his honor. Coulter Academy began offering junior college credit in 1933 and continued until 1947. The school merged with the public school system in 1949 and operated until 1955. Still located behind the church, the former school building now hosts Freemasons as Sanctorum Lodge Number 25. Dr. Long is buried in the graveyard of the church that bears his name.
Historic Downtown York
Situated between two Revolutionary battle sites, The Battle of Kings Mountain and The Battle of Williamson's Plantation, the town can trace its roots back to the early 1700s (named county seat in 1785). Much of this quaint little town stands from the past 200+ years that makes it an outstanding part of American History. Originally called Fergus Crossroads, the first white settlers came to this area in the early to mid-1700s following the chain of Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia and Pennsylvania southward. Mostly Scots-Irish, they called their settlements the same familiar names of York, Chester and Lancaster that they carried from the British Isles and more recently from the north. Prior to this, the first known inhabitants of York County were the Catawba Indians. The War Between the States disrupted life of ease and educational opportunity and Yorkville became a hotbed of insurrection immediately following the war. Federal troops were called to restore order and they occupied the town, living in Rose's Hotel until 1876. In 1915, the name Yorkville was shortened to York. The city boasts of a large 364-acre National Register Historic District, one of the largest in the state.
Horace King & the Cheraw Bridge at Riverside Park
Cheraw, SC 29520
Horace King was born a slave in Cheraw around 1807. He was sold to the Godwin family in 1829. Under the guidance of John Godwin and by working with his bridge building company, Horace soon gained the knowledge and experience that would make him one of the most respected engineers in the South. After his release from slavery in 1846, King formed his own construction company. Prior to the Civil War, he built bridges in Georgia and Alabama. During the war, he built several different types of bridges for the Confederacy. In the post war era, the prosperous King Brothers Bridge Company rebuilt bridges that were destroyed during the conflict. Most of the bridges built by Horace King are gone today. A marker over the Pee Dee River in Cheraw discusses the Ithiel Town bridge where King learned his engineering skills. A remnant of the bridge is on display at the Lyceum Museum (Town Green, Market Street). The park was the site of Cheraw's first ferries, bridges and steamboat landing. It was the site of the skirmish for the Pee Dee River bridge, gunboat Pee Dee engagement, and the ravine holding gunpowder whose accidental explosion killed several Union soldiers and destroyed Cheraw's business district. The museum is opened upon request at the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce. For tours, contact the Cheraw Visitors Bureau.
House of Henry McIver (c. 1790)
The home of Henry McIver, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession, and captain in the Confederate Calvary, was the personal headquarters for Gen. William T. Sherman for several days in March of 1865.
Ingram's Pee Dee River Artifacts Room
Cheraw, SC 29520
Private collection of riverboat artifacts and artifacts from Sherman's March. Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm and by appointment for groups. Free.
Inn Upon Moon River Plantation B&B
Chester, SC 29706
This plantation style home built in 1904, offers all the modern conveniences expected in comfortable and pleasant accommodations. The century old front porch is perfect for watching the hustle and bustle of the community. The Inn is also a blues and jazz museum which contains the Dave CC Club Library for researching the blues. Throughout the inn are numerous pieces of art and collectibles that reflect the innkeeper's passion for the blues. Other amenities include 6 coal burning fireplaces, 10-ft. ceilings, and a front porch with rocking chairs to experience small town comings and goings. Cable is available in every room along with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access. Located in the historic district, the inn is within walking distance to the quaint and historic downtown and within easy driving distance of other area attractions.
Isaiah Moore’s Grave Site at Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Blackstock, SC 29014
Isaiah Moore was a slave who belonged to a young son in the Brice family in the community of Woodward. One of the sons, Thomas, and Isaiah grew up together and became the best of friends. When the Brice son, by then Major Thomas W. Brice, was so severely injured in the War Between the States that he had to be left behind, Isaiah went out to search for him. After finding Thomas, Isaiah nursed him back to health. Isaiah's deathbed request was that he be buried close to his master. On December 22, 1917 when he was around 75 years old, Isaiah died and was buried a few feet beyond the fence of Concord Presbyterian Church's cemetery. More recently, the fence has been extended to include Isaiah Moore's grave site on the inside. Located in Woodward Community of Blackstock (14 miles south of Chester on US Hwy. 321).
Judge Thomas Dawkins House (c. 1845)
Union, SC 29379
This home housed state papers and records when Sherman's advance on Columbia looked inevitable. Located on the campus of USC-Union.
Kamschatka
When Confederate General James Chesnut built this house (c.1854), its then remote location from the town inspired him to name it "Kamschatka" (colloquial spelling) for one of the northernmost points in Siberia. He and his wife, Mary Boykin Chesnut, left this home when he was elected to the US Senate in 1858. This home was later owned by the William F. Buckley family. Private Residence.
Kershaw County Library
Genealogical research documents covering the State of South Carolina, with emphasis on Kershaw County, including cemetery records. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 am-8 pm; Friday: 10 am-6 pm; Saturday: 10 am-2 pm; Sunday: 2 pm-5 pm. No paid researchers.
Lancaster County Library
Lancaster , SC 29720
Genealogical research documents covering mostly Lancaster and the surrounding counties. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 am-8 pm; Friday: 9 am-5:30 pm; Saturday: 9 am-5 pm. No paid researchers.
Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute
Lancaster, SC 29720
The Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute was founded on the former site of the Pettey School, which had been established in 1879 by the Reverend C. C. Pettey. Lancaster Institute began in 1887 as a boarding school for African-American students. The Institute provided elementary and advanced training for students preparing to become teachers and industrial workers. It was closed in 1923. None of the buildings remain. A historical marker was erected in 1977 by the Lancaster County Historic Commission on the former site.
Lancaster’s Wall of Fame
Lancaster, SC 29720
The Wall honors community natives who have contributed significantly to society. Included among the likenesses of Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, US astronaut, Charles Duke and others is Nina Mae McKinney, actress and Broadway star. Ms. McKinney was the first African-American actress to perform in a sound movie, Hallelujah, directed by the famed King Vidor (MGM Studios) in 1929. She also starred with the great Paul Robeson in the film, Sanders of the River in 1935. In 1938, Nina was inducted into the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame. Her singing, acting and dancing techniques served as a model for such successors as Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge. She died at age 54 in New York on May 3, 1967.
Lando
Richburg, SC 29729
The mill village of Lando has experienced over 253 years of history. Known as Walker's Mill during the American Revolution, the grist mill and surrounding area hosted British troops during the summer of 1780. Later known as White's mill in the early 1800's. Lando was one of the first fulling mills in the south. Benjamin Dawson Heath created Manetta Mills in 1896 and for almost 100 years made blankets that were sold all over the world under the Cannon and Lady Peppermill names, among others. The annual festival called "Lando Days" is held the first Saturday in October each year. The 1920's company store is now home to the Lando-Manetta Mills History Center which portrays the "mill village" way of life. Each room tells a different story about the mill, post office, barber shop, bank, doctors offfice, school house, store, and mill house. No admission is charged but donations are welcome. Hours of operation: 9:00 am - 12 noon, Mon & Wed; 2-5 pm, Sun. Other times by appointment. Handicap accessible.
Lebanon Presbyterian Church
Ridgeway, SC 29130
The Lebanon Presbyterian Church was organized in 1872 and had its beginnings as a brush arbor. Like many of the post Civil War African-American Presbyterian churches, Lebanon was originally governed by white elders. In the early 1900s under the direction of its pastor, Reverend J. McCoy, the church opened the first parochial school for African-American students in Fairfield County. The school had an enrollment of between 75 and 100 students and operated for six months during the year. It ceased to exist in 1933 when it was taken over by the county.
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