Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Legare-Morgan House
Photographed by Steve Sferra, October 5, 2020
1. Legare-Morgan House Marker (front)
One of the oldest houses in Alken, this was home to the Legare family, including writer James Mathewes Legare (1823-1859), who lived here beginning in 1846. Portions of the house date to as early as 1837. The south wing was built c. 1852 as a detached workshop for James Legare, who was also an inventor and painter. The north wing was added c. 1900, after the workshop was moved and attached to the house.
While living here, James Legare published his best-known work, Orta-Undis, and other Poems (1848). He also produced several inventions, including a cotton-based plastic he called "lignine." In 1870, the Legare family sold the property to Thomas Charles Morgan (1824-1905), an English naval officer. His son, attorney Thomas Redman Morgan (1863-1931), was Aiken mayor from 1899 to 1900 and lived in the house for a number of years.
Erected 2019 by Aiken County Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-64.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 33° 33.499′ N, 81° 43.447′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is at the intersection of Laurens Street Southwest and Downing Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Laurens Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 241 Lauren St SW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dibble Memorial Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodmen Of The World (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company (about 600 feet away); The Cold War and Civil Defense in the Atomic Age (about 600 feet away); What's Inside? (about 600 feet away); The 97% to Survive (about 600 feet away); Fred B. Cavanaugh (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Another marker is no longer nearby. South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Steve Sferra, October 5, 2020
2. Legare-Morgan House Marker (back)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
3. Legare-Morgan House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2023, by Steve Sferra of Aiken, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2023, by Steve Sferra of Aiken, South Carolina. 3. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
