Walhalla in Oconee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Lynching of Allen Green

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

1. The Lynching of Allen Green Marker, Side One

Inscription. In 1930, over 100 white men and boys broke into Oconee County Jail to lynch Allen Green, a prominent local African American. Born in 1879, Green lived a few blocks east of here with his wife, Corrie Green. On April 20, he was arrested on likely false charges of raping a white woman. He was then brought to the jail which stood near this site. For several nights, groups met at the mill baseball field planning his lynching.

On April 23, the mob came to the jail, attacked the sheriff, and forced Green from his cell. They took him to a location outside West Union, tied him to a tree and shot him repeatedly. One S.C. newspaper described it as “among the most barbarous crimes ever committed” in the state. Seventeen people, including the mayor of Walhalla, were indicted for murder and other charges. None were convicted. Green is buried outside of town.

Erected 2023 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by Oconee County Arts and Historical Commission. (Marker Number 37-26.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1930.

Location. 34° 45.87′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

83° 4.058′ W. Marker is in Walhalla, South Carolina, in Oconee County. It is at the intersection of Short Street and South Tugaloo Street, on the right when traveling west on Short Street. It is in the parking lot of the Oconee County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 80 Short St, Walhalla SC 29691, 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 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 walking distance of this marker: Oconee Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel R.T. Jaynes (within

The Lynching of Allen Green Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

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

2. The Lynching of Allen Green Marker, Side Two

shouting distance of this marker); Oconee County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokee Path (within shouting distance of this marker); Combat Infantrymen Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Silver Rose (within shouting distance of this marker); Duty, Honor, Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Oconee Heritage Center (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walhalla.

The Lynching of Allen Green Marker image. Click for full size.

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

3. The Lynching of Allen Green Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2025, by Gianluca De Fazio of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.