Abbeville Historic District
a.k.a. See Also:Courthouses in South Carolina Designed by William A
Roughly bounded by Seaboard Coastline RR, SR 72, Rickey, Haight, Hemphill and Haigler Sts., Abbeville, SCIn 1764 a group of French Huguenots founded the nearby village of New Bordeaux; it is believed that these settlers later named Abbeville, South Carolina, for the French city of Abbeville. The seat of Abbeville County which was formed from the Ninety-Six District in 1785, the town of Abbeville was one of South Carolina's early centers of culture, agriculture, and commerce in the Upcountry.
Local significance of the district:
Political Significance
John C. Calhoun, South Carolina's preeminent statesman, and Abbeville county native, opened his first law office in Abbeville in 1807. During his years of public service, Calhoun held many high offices including Secretary of War, Vice-President, Senator and Secretary of State. He was the outstanding political philosopher of the period and the originator of the doctrine of nullification. In later political activity, Abbeville was the site of one of South Carolina's most potent secession meetings on November 22, 1860. Approximately 3,000 people gathered on Magazine Hill (since called Secession Hill) to listen to notable speakers who urged immediate secession. As a result of this meeting, Abbeville selected the following delegates to the state secession convention in Columbia: Judge D.L. Wardlaw, Judge Thomas Thomson, Thomas C. Perrin (first signer of The Ordinance of Secession), Edward Noble, John A. Calhoun, and John H. Wilson. Chancellor Francis Hugh Wardlaw, another Abbeville native, supervised the drafting of The Ordinance of Secession.Educational Significance
Robert Mills, in his Statistics of South Carolina, regarded Abbeville as "the original seat of learning in the upper country... attention to education was coeval with the settlement."Theatrical Significance
The Abbeville Opera House, now restored and used frequently, dates from 1904. It was a center of culture and entertainment for the district where traveling theatre companies performed plays like "Ben Hur," "The Great Divide" and George White's "Scandals." Celebrities such as Jimmy Durante and Fanny Brice performed here. Commerce; Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first successful English settlement in South Carolina was established in 1670 in what is now known as Charleston. The settlement was named Charles Towne in honor of King Charles II of England.
About Abbeville County
Abbeville County Timeline
Abbeville County, South Carolina, has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek nations. European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, and Abbeville County was officially established in 1785. It was named after the French town of Abbeville, possibly due to its resemblance to the area's lush landscapes.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Abbeville County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Abbeville County, South Carolina.
- 1760: Abbeville County is established as part of Ninety-Six District in South Carolina.
- 1780-1781: Abbeville County is heavily impacted by the American Revolutionary War.
- 1785: The town of Abbeville is officially chartered.
- 1791: Abbeville County becomes part of the new state of South Carolina.
- 1822: Abbeville County plays a role in the Nullification Crisis, a conflict between the state and federal government over tariffs.
- 1860s: Abbeville County is affected by the American Civil War.
- 1872: Abbeville County experiences economic growth with the arrival of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad.
- 1898-1900: Abbeville County witnesses the rise of the Populist Party and the implementation of reforms.
- 1950s: Abbeville County undergoes racial tensions and civil rights movement.
- 2018: Abbeville County celebrates its 250th anniversary.