Ninety Six Colored School

Historical marker location:
Ninety Six, South Carolina
( Marker is on Ninety Six Highway (State Highway 34) 0.1 miles west of Cambridge Street N, on the right when traveling east.)
Marker installed: 2014

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The state of South Carolina was named after King Charles I of England, whose father, King James I, granted a charter for the colony in 1629.
Greenwood County, located in the state of South Carolina, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Catawba peoples. European settlers arrived in the late 1700s, primarily of Scotch-Irish and English descent, and established small farming communities.

In the early 1800s, the construction of the Greenwood Rail Line brought new opportunities and development to the region. The town of Greenwood was founded in 1824 at the intersection of the newly established rail line and Old Ninety-Six Road. The rail line facilitated the transportation of goods and opened up markets for local farmers, contributing to the growth of Greenwood County.

During the American Civil War, Greenwood County played a significant role in the Confederate war effort. The community's economy was heavily dependent on cotton farming, and the county supplied troops, provisions, and support to the Confederacy. Despite the devastating impact of the war, Greenwood County slowly began to recover and rebuild in the years following the conflict.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industries such as textile mills and lumber mills emerged in Greenwood County. These industries brought new wealth and employment opportunities to the area and further contributed to the county's growth and development. Today, Greenwood County continues to flourish as a thriving community with a diverse economic base, rich cultural heritage, and a strong sense of community pride.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Greenwood County, South Carolina.

  • Greenwood County, SC was formed in 1897 from parts of Abbeville and Edgefield counties.
  • In the early 1900s, Greenwood became a major center for the cotton industry.
  • In 1923, the Greenwood Textile School (now known as Piedmont Technical College) was established.
  • In the 1940s, the construction of Camp Croft, a military training base, brought a significant increase in population to the county.
  • In 1947, Greenwood hosted the Jubilee Day celebration, which marked the lifting of wartime restrictions on cotton and textile production.
  • In the 1950s and 1960s, Greenwood experienced economic growth and industrial development.
  • In 1974, Greenwood Community Hospital (now known as Self Regional Healthcare) opened its doors.
  • In 1988, Greenwood County Historical Society was formed to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • In 2016, Greenwood celebrated its tricentennial, marking 300 years of history.