Clemson in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Littlejohn’s Grill

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

1. Littlejohn’s Grill Marker, Side One

Inscription. Horace and Gertrude Littlejohn opened Littlejohn’s Grill in a small concrete building in the 1940s. After a c. 1950 fire, they rebuilt the Grill as a two-story nightclub. It became a stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” of venues that hosted African American entertainers during segregation. Among those who performed there were James Brown, Little Richard, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, and The Supremes.

Littlejohn’s Grill was an important social and cultural institution for black Clemson-area residents. Artists and other black travelers barred from local whites-only hotels often lodged in the Grill’s tourist cabins. After Horace Littlejohn’s 1966 death, the club continued to operate under different names and management. It was demolished in 1995 and replaced by the Littlejohn Community Center.

Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by the City of Clemson and the Pickens County Historical Society. (Marker Number 39-27.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 34° 41.712′ N, 82° 48.266′ W.

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Marker is in Clemson, South Carolina, in Pickens County. It is on Old Greenville Highway (South Carolina Route 93) 3.1 miles north of U.S. 123, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 644 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson SC 29631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s and pstate,

in the Foothills, in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John C. Calhoun Memorial Highway (approx. 0.8 miles away); Blue Key National Honor Fraternity Gateway (approx. 1½ miles

Littlejohn’s Grill Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

2. Littlejohn’s Grill Marker, Side Two

away); Hanover House (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hanover House (approx. 1.6 miles away); These Gates (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hanover House (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hanover House (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Hayden Conference Center (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clemson.

Also see . . . The Littlejohn’s Grill Story: Blues, Jazz and Rock ’n’ Roll in Clemson SC. Article by Vince Jackson on SCgenweb.org. Excerpt:

The long and impressive list of jazz and blues celebrities appearing at the club include Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Elmore James, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner, Piano Red, Otis Redding, comedian Red Foxx, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, James Brown and scores of others.

James Brown is by far the most remembered star of Littlejohn's Grill. His early career, not well-known, began when Brown lived in Toccoa, Georgia, about 30 miles from Clemson, during the early 1950s. Most believe Brown originally came from
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

3. Littlejohn’s Grill Marker
Augusta or Macon, but he was born in tiny Elko, South Carolina about 1933. At age 15 Brown was sentenced to serve time for armed robbery and was incarcerated at Boys Camp, a juvenile facility in Toccoa. Serving three years, before being recognized for his good behavior and gospel singing abilities, Brown soon made connections in the entertainment world with performers such as Little Richard and Hank Ballard. It wasn't long before Brown began fronting a group called the Flames, performing at the Grill on a weekly basis. In 1956 the Flames recorded "Please, Please, Please" and James Brown's career soared into the stratosphere.

(Submitted on June 22, 2025.)

Littlejohn Community Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025

4. Littlejohn Community Center

Built at the location of Littlejohn’s Grill.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 367 times since then and 174 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.