South Carolina’s roots run deep. Native Americans have lived in the area that would become the state for at least 13,000 years, specifically the Catawba, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Santee, Edisto, and Wateree Tribes. The Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved Africans who were able to retain much of their West African culture, have a cultural stronghold in the state.
As a colony, South Carolina was part of the original Province of Carolina. It was founded in 1663 when King Charles II gave the land to eight English noblemen known as the Lords Proprietors. On May 23, 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the Constitution, and on Dec. 20, 1860, it was the first state in the South to vote in favor of secession from the Union before the Civil War.
The Palmetto State — its nickname from the state’s official tree — is also known for its natural beauty, especially its beaches and foliage. In fact, it is home to one of the oldest trees in the United States. The about 500-year-old Angel Oak is located just outside the largest city in South Carolina — Charleston — on Johns Island. The state’s roots run deep historically and literally!
On your next trip to the shores of Myrtle Beach or to tour Charleston’s culinary scene, explore the state’s rich cultural heritage, history, and nature. Fortunately, it’s on display in South Carolina’s National Monuments and landmarks. Read on to learn more.
Fireproof Building: Also known as the Charleston District Records Building, the Fireproof Building is located in Charleston. Completed in 1827 to house the office and records of Charleston County, it was the most fire-resistant building in the U.S. at the time and is believed to be the oldest such structure in America today. It was designed by Charleston-born architect Robert Mills, who eliminated combustible materials from the architecture. Builders used stone steps, flagstone flooring, and brownstone sills instead of wood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, the Fireproof Building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973. In 2018, after an extensive renovation, the building reopened as the South Carolina Historical Society Museum. It is open Tuesday through Saturday and features interactive exhibits about the state and the nation.
Photo Courtesy Warren LeMay
The City Market: This historic market complex in downtown Charleston was established in the 1790s. The market, recognized as one of the oldest ones in the country, covers four city blocks and was developed to replace the city’s Beef Market building, which burned in 1796. Throughout the 19th century, the market was a hub for area farms and plantations to sell their products and a place for locals to gather and socialize. A fire destroyed the main market entrance in 1838, and Charleston recruited architect Edward B. White, known for his knowledge of Greek and Roman architecture, to design the current Market Hall in 1841. The entire complex was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as Market Hall and Sheds and designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can shop — vendors sell souvenirs and other items — at the market every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Christmas Day.
Photo Courtesy Brian Stansberry
Clark Mills Studio: The four-story building is where self-taught sculptor Clark Mills, who pioneered the casting of bronze statues, resided from 1837 to 1848. Located in Charleston, the studio originally served as a tenement house and now houses professional offices. In 1848, Mills moved his studio and residence from Charleston to Washington, D.C., when he won a significant contract to cast the equestrian bronze statue of President Andrew Jackson, now in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. The Charleston studio was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
Photo Courtesy South Carolina Historic Properties Record
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