Historical Markers in Beaufort County, South Carolina
1st SC Infantry Of African Descent
A Guiding Light
A Life-Saving Light Station
A National Cemetery System
Address by President Lincoln
African Methodist Episcopal Church Beginnings
Aqui Estuvo España
Baptist Church of Beaufort
Barrow Hall
Battery Saxton
Battle of Port Royal
Battle of Port Royal
Battle of Port Royal Island
Beaufort
Beaufort Arsenal
Beaufort College
Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort Female Benevolent Society
Beaufort Historic District
Beaufort National Cemetery
Beaufort South Carolina Tricentennial
Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library
Beth Israel Synagogue
Black Troops on Hilton Head
Bluffton United Methodist Church
Bluffton, S.C.
Brigadier General Stephen Elliott CSA
Capt. Brodstrom Marker U.S.M.C.
Chapel of Ease
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charlesfort-Santa Elena Site
Charlie Simmons, Sr.
Cherry Hill School
Christensen-Fordham Building
Church of Prince William's Parish
Church of the Cross
City Meat Market & Firehouse
Colonel John Barnwell
Combahee River Raid / Freedom Along The Combahee
Dr. Henry Woodward, Surgeon 1646-1686
Emancipation Day Camp Saxton Site
First African Baptist Church
First African Baptist Church
First Fort
First Presbyterian Church
Fish Hall Plantation
Fort Howell
Fort Howell - 1864
Fort San Marcos
Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument
Fort Sherman
Fort Walker
Forts of the Civil War Era
Fuel for the Flame
General Howell / Captain Suter
Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Harvesting Drinking Water
Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island Veterans Memorial
History Of The Dolphin Head Area
Home at the Lighthouse
Hunting Island Light Station
In Honor Of All Veterans
In Honor Of Edith M. Dabbs and James McBride Dabbs
In Memoriam
Island Delivery Service
Japanese 75mm Field Gun
Jean Ribault Monument
Lighthouse Keepers Home
Mather School
Maxcy - Rhett House / "Secession House"
Michael C. Riley Schools
Mitchelville and Abolitionists
Mitchelville Building Sites
Mitchelville Site
Northern Most Known Bastion of Spanish Florida
Palmetto Bluff
Palmetto Bluff
Parris Island Indians
Parris Island Lighthouses
Parris Island Plantations
Peatross Parade Deck
Penn School
Pinckney Island
Plane Crash Memorial
Prince William's Parish Church
Queen Chapel A.M.E. Church
Re-interred 19 African-American Civil War Volunteers
Reconnecting with Family
Religion in Mitchelville/School in Mitchelville
Revolutionary War Ambush
Richard Heron Anderson
Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge
Robert Smalls
Ruins of Old Sheldon
Sheldon Union Academy
Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House
St. Helena's Church
St. Helena's Episcopal Church
St. James Baptist Church
St. Luke's Church
St. Peter Catholic Church
Steam Gun
Stephen Elliott, Jr Brigadier General C.S.A.
Tabernacle Baptist Church
The Baptist Church of Beaufort
The Barrel Landing Schoolhouse
The Battle of Port Royal / William Fitzhugh and Black Sailors in the Union Navy
The Capt. Francis Saltus House
The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville
The First Inhabitants
The Great Sea Island Storm
The Historic Union Church
The Sam Levin Building
The Story of Fort Howell
The Troops that Built Fort Howell / Camp Baird
The Wallace House
Thomas Fenwick Drayton
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
To Purple Heart Recipients
Two Gallant Gentlemen from South Carolina
Uncommon Valor
Verdier House
Wesley Methodist Church
William Bull
William Simmons House
Working for Wages/Freedmens Bureau
Worlds Largest Figurative Sundial
Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery
"Robbers Row"
About Beaufort County
Beaufort County Timeline
Beaufort County, located in the state of South Carolina, has a rich and complex history that stretches back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Yemassee and Coosawhatchie peoples. The first European settlers arrived in the 16th century, with Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles establishing a short-lived settlement on Parris Island in 1566.
During the colonial era, Beaufort County played a significant role in the development of the region. The town of Beaufort, founded in 1711, became an important port and center of trade. It was also a major hub for plantation agriculture, with rice and indigo being the primary crops. The county thrived economically, drawing wealthy plantation owners and enslaved Africans to the area.
The county played a significant role in both the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. During the Revolutionary War, Beaufort County was occupied by British forces, leading to the destruction of many plantations. In the Civil War, the county was a key target for Union forces, who captured the town of Beaufort and surrounding areas early in the conflict. The area remained under Union control for the duration of the war and became a haven for formerly enslaved individuals.
In the post-war period, Beaufort County experienced a period of slow recovery. The abolition of slavery brought significant changes to the social and economic fabric of the county, as former enslaved individuals sought to establish new lives and opportunities. In the 20th century, Beaufort County became a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty and historic charm. Today, the county continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination and as a hub for military activity due to the presence of several military bases.
During the colonial era, Beaufort County played a significant role in the development of the region. The town of Beaufort, founded in 1711, became an important port and center of trade. It was also a major hub for plantation agriculture, with rice and indigo being the primary crops. The county thrived economically, drawing wealthy plantation owners and enslaved Africans to the area.
The county played a significant role in both the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. During the Revolutionary War, Beaufort County was occupied by British forces, leading to the destruction of many plantations. In the Civil War, the county was a key target for Union forces, who captured the town of Beaufort and surrounding areas early in the conflict. The area remained under Union control for the duration of the war and became a haven for formerly enslaved individuals.
In the post-war period, Beaufort County experienced a period of slow recovery. The abolition of slavery brought significant changes to the social and economic fabric of the county, as former enslaved individuals sought to establish new lives and opportunities. In the 20th century, Beaufort County became a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty and historic charm. Today, the county continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination and as a hub for military activity due to the presence of several military bases.
Beaufort County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Beaufort County, South Carolina.
- 1514: The area that is now Beaufort County is explored by Spanish conquistadors.
- 1663: Beaufort County is officially established as part of the Carolina Colony.
- 1711: Port Royal is settled by the French, becoming the first European settlement in the county.
- 1739: Beaufort is founded by the English as the second oldest city in South Carolina.
- 1783: The American Revolutionary War ends, and Beaufort County becomes part of the newly-formed United States.
- 1824: Beaufort County is divided into multiple counties, including present-day Beaufort and Jasper counties.
- 1861: The Civil War begins, and Beaufort County is occupied by Union forces for most of the war.
- 1868: The Reconstruction Era begins, and Beaufort County sees significant changes and political reforms.
- 1959: The Penn Center is established on St. Helena Island, promoting education and civil rights for African Americans.
- 1980: The Beaufort Historic District is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2000: Beaufort County experiences rapid population growth and becomes a major tourist destination.