South of Broad in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Constitutional Convention of 1868

March 16, 2018

1. Constitutional Convention of 1868 Marker

Inscription. In January 1868 delegates met to rewrite the S.C. Constitution. They convened at the Charleston Club House, which once stood near here. Before the Civil War the Club House was reserved for Charleston's planter elite, but a majority of the delegates in 1868 were African American, some of them former slaves. The election of delegates to the convention was the first time that African American men voted in S.C.

(Continued on other side)

The 1868 Constitution was a remarkable document for its time. The Declaration of Rights made no distinctions based on race. It created the basis for the state's first public school system, as proposed by Robert Smalls, and guaranteed black male suffrage two years ahead of the 15th Amendment. In 1895, a new constitution would mandate segregated schools, outlaw interracial marriages, and disenfranchise black men.

Erected 2018 by The S.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board. (Marker Number 10-100.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1868.

Location. 32° 46.53′ N, 79° 55.859′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County.

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It is in South of Broad. It is on Meeting Street near Broad Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 69 Meeting St, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Poyas-Mordecai House (here, next to this marker); Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings (a few steps from this marker); The South Carolina Society (a few steps from this marker); Sol Blatt, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Judge J. Waties Waring (a few steps from this marker); The Philip Moore House (a few steps from this marker); John Cordes Prioleau House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Francis Byrnes (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

More about this marker. Dedicated March 16, 2018.

March 16, 2018

2. Reverse

Dedication and unveiling of the marker image. Click for full size.

March 16, 2018

3. Dedication and unveiling of the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2018. This page has been viewed 1,034 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.