Historical Marker

Williams Street / Gist Street

Historical marker location:
Columbia, South Carolina
( Marker is on Gervais Street (U.S. 1) near Williams Street, on the right when traveling east.)
Marker installed: 1977

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.