Edgefield in Edgefield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

1. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker - Front

Inscription.
[Front]:
J. Strom Thurmond, by mid-1997 the longest-serving U.S. Senator in history, was born here to J. William and Gertrude Strom Thurmond Dec. 5, 1902. educated at Clemson College, he taught high school 1923-29, was county superintendent of education 1929-33, state senator 1933-38, and circuit judge 1938-42. As a U.S. Army officer 1942-46, he participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and won the Bronze Star.

[Reverse]:
Thurmond, governor of S.C. 1947-51, ran for president on the States Right Democratic Party ticket in 1948. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 as a write-in candidate but resigned his seat in early 1956 to fulfill a promise to voters. He was easily reelected that fall, then again in 1960, 1966, 1972, 1978, 1984, 1990, and 1996. He served as President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate 1981-86 and 1994-present.

Erected 2000 by Edgefield County Historical Society. (Marker Number 19-13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1824.

Location. 33° 47.3′ N, 81° 55.267′ W. Marker is in Edgefield, South Carolina, in Edgefield County. Marker is on Columbia Road, on the right when traveling

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

west. Marker is located east of the intersection of Columbia Road and Main Street (Highway 25), directly in front of the house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edgefield SC 29824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oakley Park Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); M60A3 Main Battle Tank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Pickens (approx. ¼ mile away); George McDuffie (approx. ¼ mile away); Piedmont Technical College, Edgefield Center (approx. ¼ mile away); Town of Edgefield Parking Lot (approx. ¼ mile away); Pierce Mason Butler (approx. ¼ mile away); James Henry Hammond (approx. 0.3 miles away); Edgefield (approx. 0.4 miles away); Francis Wilkinson Pickens (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgefield.

Also see . . .
1. Strom Thurmond. James Strom Thurmond (December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and as a United States Senator. (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Oral History Interview with Strom Thurmond, July 1978. Strom Thurmond had a long career as an attorney, judge, and governor in South Carolina before serving in the United States Senate. (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. Strom Thurmond on the Issues.

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker - Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

2. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker - Reverse

Issue by issue, the votes of Strom Thurmond. (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

4. Strom Thurmond, Foe of Integration, Dies at 100. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, a central figure in the political transformation of the South and the longest-serving senator in American history, died yesterday in Edgefield, S.C. He was 100. (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

5. Strom Thurmond's family confirms paternity claim. (CNN) -- An attorney for the family of former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina confirmed Monday that in 1925, when he was 22, Thurmond fathered a child with a black teenage housekeeper. (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. James Strom Thurmond (1902-2003)
James Strom Thurmond, a Senator from South Carolina; born in Edgefield, S.C., December 5, 1902; attended the public schools; graduated, Clemson College 1923; taught in South Carolina high schools 1923-1929; Edgefield County superintendent of education 1929-1933; studied law and was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1930; city and county attorney 1930-1938; member, State senate 1933-1938; circuit judge 1938-1946; served in the United States Army 1942-1946, in

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

3. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace

Europe and in the Pacific; major general, United States Army Reserve; Governor of South Carolina 1947-1951; unsuccessful States Rights candidate for President of the United States in 1948; unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator in 1950; practiced law in Aiken, S.C., 1951-1955; appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to complete the term of Charles E. Daniel, who resigned, and served from December 24, 1954, to January 3, 1955; had been previously elected as a write-in candidate in November 1954 for the term commencing January 3, 1955, and ending January 3, 1961, but due to a promise made to the voters in the 1954 election, he resigned as of April 4, 1956; again elected as a Democrat on November 6, 1956 to fill the vacancy caused by his own resignation and took the oath of office on November 7, 1956; reelected in 1960, 1966, 1972, 1978, 1984, 1990 and 1996 and served from November 7, 1956, to January 3, 2003; was not a candidate for reelection in 2002; changed from the Democratic to the Republican Party on September 16, 1964; President pro tempore of the Senate (January 5, 1981-January 5, 1987, January 4, 1995 to January 3, 2001, January 20 to June 6, 2001); President pro tempore emeritus (June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003); chair, Committee on the Judiciary (Ninety-seventh through Ninety-ninth Congresses); Committee on Armed Services

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

4. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace

(One Hundred Fourth Congresses); turned 100 years old on December 5, 2002, while still in office, the oldest person ever to serve in the U.S. Senate; died in Edgefield, South Carolina on June 26, 2003; interment in Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield. (Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress.)

— Submitted January 4, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

J. Strom Thurmond<br>(1902–2003) image. Click for full size.

South Carolina State House Collection

5. J. Strom Thurmond
(1902–2003)

S.C. Senate 1933-1938
Governor of S.C. 1947-1951
U.S. Senate 1954-2003

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

6. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace and Marker

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker, looking east along Columbia Road (SC 23) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011

7. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker, looking east along Columbia Road (SC 23)

J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker, looking west on Columbia Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

8. J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace Marker, looking west on Columbia Road

Thurmond Family Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

9. Thurmond Family Plot

Located in the old village cemetery, next to the Edgefield First Baptist Church (212 Church Street)

John William and Eleanor Strom<br>Thurmond Tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

10. John William and Eleanor Strom
Thurmond Tombstone

John William Thurmond, L.L.D.
May 1, 1862 - June 17, 1934
Devoted husband and father. A friend of the people and loved by them. Rendered distinguished service to his country as lawyer, statesman, legislator, solicitor, U.S. District Attorney, Special Circuit and Supreme Court Judge.
As a lawyer, able and profound.
As a man, kind, generous and true.
His wife
Eleanor Gertrude Strom
July 18, 1870 - January 30, 1958
Devoted to family and friends. Kind, helpful,
gentle and loving. Gracious example of
Christian womanhood. S.C. State Mother, 1947.

J. Strom Thurmond Tombstone and Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

11. J. Strom Thurmond Tombstone and Monument

J. Strom Thurmond
Educator * Soldier * Statesman
Son of
John William and Gertrude Strom Thurmond
Born December 5, 1902,
Edgefield, South Carolina
Died June 26, 2003,
Edgefield, South Carolina
Married November 7, 1947
Jean Crouch Thurmond (1926-1960)
Married December 22, 1968
Nancy Moore Thurmond (1946- )
Graduated Clemson College, 1923
Teacher & Athletic Coach, 1923-1929
Edgefield County Superintendent of Education 1929-1933
Edgefield City & County Attorney, 1930-1938
South Carolina Senator, 1933-1938
South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, 1938-1942
United States Army Service in World War II
Participated in D-Day Invasion, June 6, 1944
Awarded Five Battle Stars, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart
and 17 other Military awards and Decorations
Major General, United States Army Reserve
Governor of South Carolina, 1947-1951
Presidential Candidate, 1948
United States Senator, 1954-2003
Chairman, Judiciary Committee
Chairman, Armed Services Committee
President Pro Tempore
Only Person in History Elected to the
United States Senate by Write In Vote, 1954
Longest Service Member and Oldest Person Ever
to Serve in the United States Senate
Presidential Citizen Medal
presented by President Ronald W. Reagan
Presidential Medal of Freedom
presented by President George H.W. Bush
A Century of Service
to the Palmetto State and America

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,965 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 28, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9, 10, 11. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.