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

Aiken's Jewish Merchants

Photographed By Brian Metras

1. Aiken's Jewish Merchants Marker (side 1)

Inscription. (side 1)
Sustained Jewish settlement in Aiken dates to the 1890s. By 1920, a concentration of Jewish-owned businesses had opened along this section of Laurens Street and other streets nearby. The first known Jewish merchant in Aiken was Harris L. Polier, a Russian immigrant who opened a department store south of here in 1888. Other prominent merchant families later in this area included the Suraskys, Poliakoffs, Wolfs, Efrons, and Rudnicks. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) As Aiken's Jewish population grew with the rest of the city, merchants and their families played important roles in their community and in broader civic life. Several helped found Aiken's first Jewish cemetery (1913) and incorporate its first Jewish congregation (1921). By the 1950s, Aiken had more than twenty Jewish-owned businesses. This site (116-120 Laurens St.) was the location of three stores owned by the Surasky family.

Erected 2021 by Aiken County Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-66.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 33° 33.652′

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N, 81° 43.358′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is on Laurens Street Southwest south of Augusta Aiken Road (U.S. 78), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 Laurens St SW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1953 Gas Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Aiken (within shouting distance of this marker); H. Odell Weeks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fallout Shelter (about 500 feet away); South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company (about 500 feet away); The S.C. Railroad (about 500 feet away); Fred B. Cavanaugh (about 500 feet away); Woodmen Of The World (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.

Aiken's Jewish Merchants Marker (side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Metras

2. Aiken's Jewish Merchants Marker (side 2)

Aiken's Jewish Merchants Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Metras, June 8, 2023

3. Aiken's Jewish Merchants Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brian Metras of Cicero, New York. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brian Metras of Cicero, New York. 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2023, by Brian Metras of Cicero, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.