Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Dorchester

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

1. Old Dorchester Marker

Inscription. Laid out in 1697 as a market town for the Congregationalist colony from Dorchester, Mass., the village contained 116 quarter-acre lots and a town square and commons. An Anglican church was built in 1720, a fair was established in 1723, and a Free School in 1734. Dorchester became a trade center and by 1781 had about 40 houses. The town gradually declined after the Revolution. By 1788 it was abandoned.

Erected 1963 by S.C. State Commission of Forestry, Division of State Parks. (Marker Number 18-1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1697.

Location. 32° 57.008′ N, 80° 10.26′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County. Marker is on State Park Road, on the right when traveling south. Located .3 miles south of Dorchester Road ( State Road 642 ). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Summerville SC 29485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Parish Church of St. George, Dorchester (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bell Tower of St. George's (about 500 feet away); Dorchester Free School (about 600 feet away); Colonial Dorchester (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named

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Colonial Dorchester (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Colonial Dorchester (approx. 0.2 miles away); Linking Places and People (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Dorchester (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.

Regarding Old Dorchester. National Register of Historic Places:
Old Dorchester ** (added 1969 - Site - #69000165) •
6 mi. S of Summerville on SC 642, Summerville •
Historic Significance: Information Potential •
Area of Significance: Religion, Social History, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Military, Politics/Government, Commerce •
Cultural Affiliation: American Revolution, Early American Village •
Period of Significance: 1650-1699, 1700-1749, 1750-1799 •
Owner: State •
Historic Function: Domestic •
Historic Sub-function: Village Site •
Current Function: Landscape •
Current Sub-function: Park •

Old Dorchester Marker entering Colonial Dorchester Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

2. Old Dorchester Marker entering Colonial Dorchester Historic Site

Old Dorchester Marker as seen along State Park Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

3. Old Dorchester Marker as seen along State Park Road

Remains of the"tabby" fort at Dorchester image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

4. Remains of the"tabby" fort at Dorchester

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,619 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.