Abbeville in Abbeville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Bricks of Abbeville Town Square
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2025
1. The Bricks of Abbeville Town Square Marker, Side One
The Southern Paving Construction Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee was awarded the contract for laying bricks on Abbeville's Court Square in July 1919. Three rail cars of brick and crushed stone arrived at the Southern and Seaboard depots in September to be used for the cement base of the square. Nine thousand feet of brick paving with a concrete base makes the court square while 7000 feet of brick without a concrete base is on adjacent streets. Leading to the depots are Washington, Trinity, Vienna, Church, South and North Main Streets.
The first brick was laid Tuesday, October 7, 1919. The last brick was laid November 8, 1919. One of the African American bricklayers laid 4,000 bricks per day. Four men helping the many bricklayers were Parish Black, Garnell Bowie, Elijah McBride, and Cleve Thomas. At that time, critics stated that the court square is the "best bricklaying work of its kind in the state and throughout the South."
Erected by The Essie Srother Patterson Legacy Foundation and Cal-Tee Solutions LLC.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work
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Location. 34° 10.65′ N, 82° 22.705′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, South Carolina, in Abbeville County. It is at the intersection of Court Square and South Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Court Square. Marker location is at the Abbeville County Court House ouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Court Square, Abbeville SC 29620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate. 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 Lynching of Anthony Crawford / Racial Violence in South Carolina (here, next to this marker); Abbeville County Courthouse (1908)
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2025
2. The Bricks of Abbeville Town Square Marker, Side Two
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2025
3. The Bricks of Abbeville Town Square Marker at the Abbeville County Court House ouse
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
