Bennettsville in Marlboro County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Workers Enterprise Bank

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

1. Workers Enterprise Bank Marker, Side One

Inscription. Chartered in 1919, the Workers Enterprise Bank was the first Black-owned bank in Bennettsville and one of the only such institutions then in S.C. It opened in 1920 in this purpose-built, one-story brick building. The bank’s founders included local African American leaders Edward Sawyer, Carolina Breeden, Jonas Thomas, George Pegues, Kestler Reese. It was built on land owned by Thomas, who ran a hotel and store in an adjacent building.

After Reconstruction. southern African Americans opened banks like this one to provide economic opportunity to community members who were routinely denied access to credit and other financial services. The Workers Enterprise Bank was a valuable resource for Black families, businesses, and farmers from across Marlboro County, who came here to obtain personal loans and mortgages, open savings accounts, and conduct other business. The bank closed in December 1924.

Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by Marlboro County Historic Preservation. (Marker Number 35-44.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1924.

Location. 34° 37.035′ N, 79° 41.1′

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W. Marker is in Bennettsville, South Carolina, in Marlboro County. It is on West Market Street west of North Liberty Street, on the right when traveling west. It is across the street from the former bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 W Market St, Bennettsville SC 29512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

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: “The Gulf” (within shouting distance of this marker); Marlborough County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennettsville (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Civil War Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General John McQueen (about 400 feet away); St. Michael’s Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); Playhouse Theatre (about 700 feet away); Marlboro Civic Center (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bennettsville.

Also see . . . Historical marker for Workers Enterprise Bank is unveiled. 2023 article in the Herald-Advocate. Excerpt:

Jacob N. Haynes, a retired Colonel in U.S. Army, said some information about the significance of the Workers Enterprise Bank.

“The average American made very little money in the idea of starting a bank, let alone a black-owned bank was almost unthinkable yet against all odds,” he said. “A group of visionary entrepreneurs managed to raise an incredible $40,000.”

The $40,000 then would be the equivalent of raising $800,000 now.

“The audacity of this endeavor
Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

2. Workers Enterprise Bank Marker, Side Two
is truly remarkable and it speaks to the resilience and determination of the American African American community in the face of systemic racism that was spoken to earlier,” Haynes said.

(Submitted on March 24, 2025.)

Workers Enterprise Bank Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

3. Workers Enterprise Bank Marker

The Former Workers Enterprise Bank Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 19, 2025

4. The Former Workers Enterprise Bank Building

It is across the street from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.