Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Market Building

— Discover Georgetown South Carolina —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 22, 2026

1. Old Market Building Marker

Inscription.
The Old Market Building was constructed in 1842, replacing an earlier wooden structure that was torn down the previous year. The lower story arched area was used as an open-air market and the upper story as the town hall. It was there that the surrender papers were signed when the city fell to the Union Navy in February 1865. The clock tower was added in 1857. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. Today it houses the Rice Museum.

Erected by Discover Georgetown South Carolina.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1865.

Location. 33° 21.873′ N, 79° 16.858′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. It is on Front Street east of Queen Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 Front St, Georgetown SC 29440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

and on Waccamaw Neck.

It is also in the American

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South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: 601 - 603 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town Clock / Kaminski Building (about 500 feet away); 631 Front Street (about 500 feet away); 632 Front Street (about 500 feet away); 633 Front Street (about 500 feet away); Marquis de Lafayette (about 500 feet away); South Carolina Champion Oak (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Also see . . . Nomination Form for the Old Market Building / Georgetown County Rice Museum. This form was prepared by Mrs. James W. Fant, Historic Resources Assistant with

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 22, 2026

2. Old Market Building Marker

the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, on November 8, 1969. The statement of significance is on page 3:

Both use and location make the Old Market Building a crucially significant landmark for Georgetown, one of South Carolina's three oldest port cities. Its use as town hall and market shows its central role in political and commercial life. Its central location on Front Street, the town's main business street, provides visual impact and proclaims the modern city's connections with the past. Loss of the building would do irreparable harm to Georgetown. Its current adaptive use is excellent in every way, tying, together the main economic success of the past, rice, with one of the main economic activities of today, tourism.

(Submitted on May 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.