Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hobcaw Barony
A Woman's Gift
The 17,500-acre Hobcaw Barony is one of the few remaining undeveloped tracts of land on the Waccamaw Neck. Once part of a 1716 land grant, its name comes from Hobcaw, the Native American word meaning between the waters, and barony from land grant. Over the years, the barony was subdivided into 14 plantations, becoming part of the great Carolina Golf rice empire.
Rice production was labor intensive, so cheap slave labor was used to clear swamps and grow the crop. The 1650's were the most profitable for Georgetown rice planters. During this period, Hobcaw Barony produced nearly six million pounds of rice in one year alone. After the Civil War, rice cultivation declined because of competition from western planters, and, ultimately, a series of weather events halted the growth in the late 1800's.
Bernard Baruch, a native South Carolinian and financier, purchased the property in 1905 to use as a winter retreat. His daughter Belle later purchased the family property, and at her death, the Belle W. Baruch Foundation was created. The mission of the Foundation is to conserve Hobcaw Barony's unique natural and cultural resources for college level research in the fields of marine biology, wildlife and forestry.
Erected by South Carolina Heritage Corridor .
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Women. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1716.
Location. 33° 21.817′ N, 79° 13.633′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. Marker is on Hobcaw Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown SC 29440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Belle W. Baruch (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hobcaw Barony (within shouting distance of this marker); Clifton Plantation (approx. half a mile away); Lafayette (approx. half a mile away); Prospect Hill (approx. half a mile away); DeBordieu Beach (approx. 1.4 miles away); Attacks Upon Georgetown (approx. 1.9 miles away); William Screven (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 601 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2017, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 8, 2017, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.