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

Fort Dorchester

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

1. Fort Dorchester Marker

Inscription. A brick powder magazine enclosed by a tabby wall eight feet high was built here in 1757. During the Revolution, Dorchester was a strategic point. In 1775 the magazine was fortified and the garrison commanded by Capt. Francis Marion. British troops occupied the town in April 1780. They were driven out by cavalry and infantry under Col. Wade Hampton and Gen. Nathanael Greene on December 1, 1781.

Erected 1963 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by S.C. State Commission of Forestry, Division of State Parks. (Marker Number 18-3.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1780.

Location. 32° 56.853′ N, 80° 10.206′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County. It can be reached from State Park Road. Located in Old Dorchester Historic Site, .6 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

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 once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Designed for Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorchester's Merchants: Middlemen on the Road to Riches (within shouting distance of this marker); A Concrete Solution

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Clues of Wealth (within shouting distance of this marker); To Market, To Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Networks of Trade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Loading Zone (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.

Regarding Fort Dorchester. The town gradually declined after the Revolution. It was abandoned by 1788. Listed in the National Register December 2, 1969, Site - #69000165 • 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 •

Fort Dorchester Marker, with "Tabby" Fort ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

2. Fort Dorchester Marker, with "Tabby" Fort ruins

Fort Dorchester Marker, located at the west end of the parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

3. Fort Dorchester Marker, located at the west end of the parking lot

Fort Dorchester as seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

4. Fort Dorchester as seen today

Fort Dorchester , site of the powder magazine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

5. Fort Dorchester , site of the powder magazine

Fort Dorchester . one time powder magazine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

6. Fort Dorchester . one time powder magazine

Fort Dorchester ruins, as seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

7. Fort Dorchester ruins, as seen today

Fort Dorchester, as seen from the road leading from the Ashley River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009

8. Fort Dorchester, as seen from the road leading from the Ashley River

Ft. Dorchester-Archaeological Dig image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1970

9. Ft. Dorchester-Archaeological Dig

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,952 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 29, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.