Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Beaufort College
Beaufort College, a college preparatory academy founded in 1795, occupied this Greek Revival building from 1852 to 1861. The school opened in 1804 at Bay and Church Sts. but closed in 1817 after a yellow fever epidemic, reopening in 1820 at Newcastle and Craven Sts. This building designed by John Gibbs Barnwell II featured two classrooms, two offices, and a library modeled after the one at S.C. College, now the South Caroliniana Library at the University of S.C.
Beaufort College closed its doors in 1861 when Beaufort was occupied by Federal troops. For the rest of the Civil War it was a school for former slaves and part of a hospital complex serving both freedmen and Federal soldiers. It also served as headquarters for the Freedmen's Bureau here during Reconstruction, then became a public elementary school in 1909. In 1959 the University of S.C. acquired this building for its new Beaufort campus.
Erected 2001 by Beaufort Historical Society and the Beaufort College Board of Trustees. (Marker Number 7-26.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Beaufort County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 32° 26.198′ N, 80° 40.191′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker is on Carteret Street (U.S. 21), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaufort SC 29902, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Peter Catholic Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wesley Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library (about 800 feet away); First African Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House (approx. ¼ mile away); Baptist Church of Beaufort (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Baptist Church of Beaufort (approx. ¼ mile away); Grand Army of the Republic Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.
More about this marker. Now part of the University of South Caolina Beaufort campus.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,562 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2023, by Mark St. Martin of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.