An Enduring Landmark

Historical marker location:

1601 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina

( Marker is at the intersection of Richland Street and Pickens Street, on the right when traveling west on Richland Street.)

South Carolina was the birthplace of the modern American barbecue tradition. In the early 19th century, African slaves in the state developed a technique for slow-cooking meat over a wood fire, which became known as "barbecue." Today, South Carolina is known for its distinctive mustard-based barbecue sauce, which is popular in the central part of the state.