Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Old Jail and Town Market
Photographed By Yvonne Vaughn, April 16, 2023
1. The Old Jail and Town Market Marker
The "Gaol" or Jail
The first jail in Camden was built by order of the South Carolina Commons House of Assembly in 1771. The wooden jail house stood on this location until being burned by the British as they evacuated Camden in 1781. Its replacement, located near the northwest corner of Church and King Streets, was destroyed in the fire of 1812. The next jail, built in 1832, was a substantial, handsome building believed to have been designed by architect Robert Mills. History repeated itself in 1865 when General William T. Sherman's troops invaded Camden and torched the 1832 jail.
The Town Market and Clock Tower
Camden's first town market, built by 1791, stood on the northwest comer of Bull and Market Streets. After that building burned in the fire of 1812, the city relocated the market to this site. This "handsome brick market" had an open air ground floor. The second floor held the town hall, which was a also used as Town Council chambers, as a Sunday School for all denominations, and by the Library Society. The city erected the town clock tower next to the market between 1822 and 1824. The tower stood 118 feet tall and was adorned by the town clock in 1824 and the King Hagler weather vane in 1826. The market and clock tower escaped the disastrous fire of 1829 and, in 1859, the city
this page online
Erected by City of Camden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1771.
Location. 34° 14.361′ N, 80° 36.375′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. Marker is at the intersection of Broad Street (U.S. 521) and King Street, on the right when traveling north on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 607 Broad St, Camden SC 29020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gaol (here, next to this marker); The Robert Mills Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Camden Courthouse and Gaol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Price House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Joseph Kershaw's Tomb (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Town Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nothwest Redoubt (approx. 0.3 miles away); Northwest Redoubt (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
Photographed By Yvonne Vaughn, April 16, 2023
2. The Old Jail and Town Market Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Yvonne Vaughn of Elgin, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Yvonne Vaughn of Elgin, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
