Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Building Kershaw's Gunpowder Magazine
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
1. Building Kershaw's Gunpowder Magazine Marker
During the colonial period, especially on the frontier, the mining of clay and baking of bricks was almost always done adjacent to any building project that required a large quantity of bricks. The magazine location checks off two very important boxes: good clay for making bricks and is located outside of the town in case of an explosion.
From a letter to the governor of South Carolina in 1780, Joseph Kershaw laid out the cost of building the magazine. It appears it took 114 days to build using 36 enslaved laborers brought in from the surrounding plantations. It seems that only one enslaved laborer worked the entire 114 days; the rest of the enslaved labor worked anywhere from 2 days to 74 days.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 34° 13.946′ N, 80° 36.192′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It can be reached from State Road 28-703 east of Broad Street (U.S. 521), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. 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 Great Wagon Road (a few steps from this marker); Conestoga Wagons (a few steps from this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Bradley House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Loyalists (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans Choose Sides (within shouting distance of this marker); Clay Pits for Brick & Pottery (within shouting distance of this marker); Indigenous Trading Routes (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
2. Building Kershaw's Gunpowder Magazine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
