State Archives was picked as one of the best across the country! The magazine mentions our online records index with over 300,000 records (many with images) including state land grant plats, Confederate veteran records, criminal court records, and so much more. They even talk about our section dedicated to maps of how our counties were formed. We are thrilled to be part of this list and are excited to have the years of work our staff have put in be recognized. We hope you continue to utilize our site for research, we are adding to it all the time!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
We're the Best, We're the Top...
Family Tree Magazine has published a "Best State Websites 2010" list and the South Carolina 
State Archives was picked as one of the best across the country! The magazine mentions our online records index with over 300,000 records (many with images) including state land grant plats, Confederate veteran records, criminal court records, and so much more. They even talk about our section dedicated to maps of how our counties were formed. We are thrilled to be part of this list and are excited to have the years of work our staff have put in be recognized. We hope you continue to utilize our site for research, we are adding to it all the time!
State Archives was picked as one of the best across the country! The magazine mentions our online records index with over 300,000 records (many with images) including state land grant plats, Confederate veteran records, criminal court records, and so much more. They even talk about our section dedicated to maps of how our counties were formed. We are thrilled to be part of this list and are excited to have the years of work our staff have put in be recognized. We hope you continue to utilize our site for research, we are adding to it all the time!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Seeking Rosenwald Schools
by Haley Grant, USC Public History Graduate Student
This summer, I had the opportunity to survey Rosenwald Schools as part of my graduate internship in the State Historic Preservation Office at Archives and History. I looked in Allendale, Barnwell, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Edgefield, Fairfield, Hampton, Lancaster, Laurens, and Union Counties—of those eleven counties surveyed three Rosenwald Schools were found standing. Canebrake School in Saluda County, Black Creek School in Chesterfield County, and Mt. Calvary School in Allendale County (above left) have now been confirmed and further documented. SHPO staff members Brad Sauls, Jennifer Satterthwaite and even Tracy Hayes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southern Office tagged along as their company and driving skills made concentrating on navigation a great deal easier.
The surveys were conducted using topographic, satellite, and Google Street View maps. Fortunately, many rural roads are in Street View! Unfortunately, this does not mean that all rural roads shown in Street View are nicely paved the entire distance needed to search for a particular school (I’m talking to you, Red Point School in Union)! Street View helped in narrowing down possible existing schools versus schools that were simply not standing. Counties were chosen if surveys had not been conducted, to follow up on past surveys, or if the possibility of a standing school looked promising. In total, forty-three schools were site-surveyed. Along the way, several possible Equalization Schools were spotted, and many wonderful historic buildings were ogled.
But more on what we found! The Canebrake School in Saluda County (left) is currently in use as a residence and has been owned by the same local family for over fifty years. Originally, the school was a Two-Teacher Tuskegee Plan and has had minimal additions over time. No construction date is given. Black Creek School in Chesterfield County (below) is also currently used as a residence. This school follows a typical Two-Teacher Rosenwald Plan and was built in the 1925-1926 budget year.
This summer, I had the opportunity to survey Rosenwald Schools as part of my graduate internship in the State Historic Preservation Office at Archives and History. I looked in Allendale, Barnwell, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Edgefield, Fairfield, Hampton, Lancaster, Laurens, and Union Counties—of those eleven counties surveyed three Rosenwald Schools were found standing. Canebrake School in Saluda County, Black Creek School in Chesterfield County, and Mt. Calvary School in Allendale County (above left) have now been confirmed and further documented. SHPO staff members Brad Sauls, Jennifer Satterthwaite and even Tracy Hayes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southern Office tagged along as their company and driving skills made concentrating on navigation a great deal easier.The surveys were conducted using topographic, satellite, and Google Street View maps. Fortunately, many rural roads are in Street View! Unfortunately, this does not mean that all rural roads shown in Street View are nicely paved the entire distance needed to search for a particular school (I’m talking to you, Red Point School in Union)! Street View helped in narrowing down possible existing schools versus schools that were simply not standing. Counties were chosen if surveys had not been conducted, to follow up on past surveys, or if the possibility of a standing school looked promising. In total, forty-three schools were site-surveyed. Along the way, several possible Equalization Schools were spotted, and many wonderful historic buildings were ogled.
But more on what we found! The Canebrake School in Saluda County (left) is currently in use as a residence and has been owned by the same local family for over fifty years. Originally, the school was a Two-Teacher Tuskegee Plan and has had minimal additions over time. No construction date is given. Black Creek School in Chesterfield County (below) is also currently used as a residence. This school follows a typical Two-Teacher Rosenwald Plan and was built in the 1925-1926 budget year.
Mt. Calvary School (pictured at top) 1920-1921, in Allendale County was the last found. The school sits across from a church in a very rural setting. In poor condition, this school is overgrown both with greenery and political election signs. The Allendale Historical Society has been made aware of our findings and will hopefully spur on some community action. For more information about Rosenwald Schools see http://www.shpo.sc.gov/rosenwaldschools.htm and
http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/southern-region/rosenwald-schools/region/rosenwald-schools/
http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/southern-region/rosenwald-schools/region/rosenwald-schools/
Friday, October 1, 2010
Celebrating Archives Month
Did you know that October is National Archives Month? South Carolina Archives have lots of great events and exhibits planned and we hope you'll join us in celebrating the wonderful treasures we preserve! The theme this year, Documents Can Change a Nation, focuses on the importance of the records archives have. We don't just have paper, we have records that resonate and mark significant state and national historical events! We encourage you to visit our 2010 Archives Month website for all the latest event and exhibit happenings in South Carolina. http://scarchivesmonth.palmettohistory.org
Friday, September 17, 2010
Arrgh, there be a holiday to celebrate
September 19th is the international holiday "Talk like a Pirate Day." This holiday was created by John Baur and Mark Summers, alias 'Ol' Chumbucket' and "Cap'n Slappy" in 1995. It causes people to talk like pirates, villainous theives and cutthroats who preyed upon ships and settlements around the world centuries ago. Pirates are famous in the world today for their deeds and speech. The state of South Carolina has be subject to pirates as well, including two famous ones. Blackbeard (Edward Teach) and Stede Bonnet both did crimes around the future Palmetto State. Charleston was blockaded by Blackbeard in the spring of 1718, with Bonnet among Blackbeards crew. The town gave into the demands eventually. Bonnet and Teach both got pardons fro the government in North Carolina. However, both reverted to piracy before long. Blackbeard died fighting the crew of the HMS Pearl on November 22, 1718 just off the coast of Ocracoke Island, NC. It took five shots and twent sword wounds to kill him. His head was cut off, hung on the Pearl's bowsprit and his body thrown overboard. Coincidentally, Bonnet was captured and put on trial in Charleston, SC. He pleaded for his life which convinced many of the ladies to support his request. Although his sentence was delayed many times, he wa hung on December 10, 1718. So... a vast ye swabby landlubbers! Give it your best shot, or you'll walk the plank!
Want to know more about Pirates off the coast of South Carolina? Seek and plunder through the informational treasures here at the state archives like the Records of the Register of the Secretary of the Province 1714-1719 (see excerpted image) or microfilm of records from the British Public Records office.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Constitution Day Approaches
Hey everyone, did you know that Friday, September 17th, is Constitution Day? One of our fabulous volunteers is going to be a guest blogger letting us know about cool facts like this one. He's seventeen and has aspirations of being a writer and we thought blog posts would be a great way to practice and help us out. So here is Caleb's first posting all about Constitution Day:
On September 17, 1787, the US Constitution was signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. On the anniversary of that day we celebrate Constitution Day. The holiday was established in 2005 as part of a new law. South Carolina sent four delegates to the convention, where 39 out of 55 delegates signed the document created to give America fair laws and a stronger federal government. These men were Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, John Rutledge, and Pierce Butler. Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention. The youngest signer was John Drayton at age 26, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin at age 81. This year is the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the document. Be sure to celebrate it this week on Friday!
For more information on the US Constitution, check out the National Archives website http://www.archives.gov/
On September 17, 1787, the US Constitution was signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. On the anniversary of that day we celebrate Constitution Day. The holiday was established in 2005 as part of a new law. South Carolina sent four delegates to the convention, where 39 out of 55 delegates signed the document created to give America fair laws and a stronger federal government. These men were Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, John Rutledge, and Pierce Butler. Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention. The youngest signer was John Drayton at age 26, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin at age 81. This year is the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the document. Be sure to celebrate it this week on Friday!
For more information on the US Constitution, check out the National Archives website http://www.archives.gov/
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Annual Civil War Symposium is Approaching
This December marks the 150th anniversary of South Carolina secession from the Union. Happy Sesquicentennial South Carolina! And what better way to celebrate this anniversary than to register for our Annual Civil War Syposium, September 24th and 25th. You'll meet great people, see original documents, and learn about South Carolina and her role in the Civil War. The line up so far has some phenomenal speakers including featured speaker, Dr. William W. Freehling. Dr. Freehling has been teaching, researching, and writing about the Old South and the Civil War for over forty years so you don't want to miss a chance to hear and meet this award winning historian. Registration information can be found at http://civilwarsymposium.palmettohistory.org/ and we hope to see you all there!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Danger from the Air
The popular Historical Marker program sees all kinds of interesting tidbits and facts about South Carolina history. Two recent historical markers tell stories that may make you look to the sky to avoid more unexpected falling objects.
The first details an 1861 balloon landing (yes, that’s right, a balloon!) in Union County just days after the Civil War began. Can you imagine the surprise felt by both local residents and the pilot? Here’s the text:
On April 20, 1861, only days after the Civil War began at Fort Sumter, scientist and aeronaut T.S.C. Lowe (1832-1913) landed the Enterprise, a large gas balloon, on a nearby farm. Lowe was on a test flight in preparation for a trans-Atlantic attempt. Southeasterly currents had carried him 800-900 miles by air from Cincinnati to Union District in less than nine hours. Many locals assumed that Lowe was a Yankee spy, and it was difficult for him to convince them that he was not. He was taken to Union and spent the night there under guard. Taken to Columbia, he was allowed to return north by train after several gentlemen vouched for his reputation as a scientist. Lowe later founded and directed a balloon corps in the U.S. Army in Virginia 1861-1863.
Erected by the Union County Historical Society, the marker is located at 657 Pea Ridge Hwy. (S.C. Sec. Rd. 44-13), Kelton vicinity in Union County.
The second records another falling object with potentially much more deadly consequences (thankfully avoided) nearly 100 years later at Mars Bluff in Florence County. Here’s the text:
In 1958, in the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped an atomic bomb near here. The unarmed 7,600-lb., 10’8”-long bomb was aboard a B-47E bomber on a training mission headed for England. Its high-explosive trigger detonated on impact, making a crater as large as 35 feet deep and 70 feet wide./ (Reverse) The bomb landed in the woods behind the asbestos-shingle-sided home of railroad conductor Walter “Bill” Gregg (d. 1921). Gregg, his wife, their three children, and a niece were injured by the concussion, which destroyed the house and outbuildings and did slight damage to buildings within a 5 mile radius.
Erected by the Florence City and County Historical Commission, the marker is located at E. Marion Hwy. (U.S. Hwy. 301/76) near the Francis Marion University Campus, Mars Bluff. A nearby trail leads to the crater site.
These stories are now recorded in durable cast aluminum for travelers to see, and in digital bytes for anyone in the world to read via the South Carolina Historical Markers database http://www.scaet.org/markers/.
The first details an 1861 balloon landing (yes, that’s right, a balloon!) in Union County just days after the Civil War began. Can you imagine the surprise felt by both local residents and the pilot? Here’s the text:
On April 20, 1861, only days after the Civil War began at Fort Sumter, scientist and aeronaut T.S.C. Lowe (1832-1913) landed the Enterprise, a large gas balloon, on a nearby farm. Lowe was on a test flight in preparation for a trans-Atlantic attempt. Southeasterly currents had carried him 800-900 miles by air from Cincinnati to Union District in less than nine hours. Many locals assumed that Lowe was a Yankee spy, and it was difficult for him to convince them that he was not. He was taken to Union and spent the night there under guard. Taken to Columbia, he was allowed to return north by train after several gentlemen vouched for his reputation as a scientist. Lowe later founded and directed a balloon corps in the U.S. Army in Virginia 1861-1863.
Erected by the Union County Historical Society, the marker is located at 657 Pea Ridge Hwy. (S.C. Sec. Rd. 44-13), Kelton vicinity in Union County.
The second records another falling object with potentially much more deadly consequences (thankfully avoided) nearly 100 years later at Mars Bluff in Florence County. Here’s the text:
In 1958, in the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped an atomic bomb near here. The unarmed 7,600-lb., 10’8”-long bomb was aboard a B-47E bomber on a training mission headed for England. Its high-explosive trigger detonated on impact, making a crater as large as 35 feet deep and 70 feet wide./ (Reverse) The bomb landed in the woods behind the asbestos-shingle-sided home of railroad conductor Walter “Bill” Gregg (d. 1921). Gregg, his wife, their three children, and a niece were injured by the concussion, which destroyed the house and outbuildings and did slight damage to buildings within a 5 mile radius.
Erected by the Florence City and County Historical Commission, the marker is located at E. Marion Hwy. (U.S. Hwy. 301/76) near the Francis Marion University Campus, Mars Bluff. A nearby trail leads to the crater site.
These stories are now recorded in durable cast aluminum for travelers to see, and in digital bytes for anyone in the world to read via the South Carolina Historical Markers database http://www.scaet.org/markers/.
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