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

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Clark Murphy Housing Complex

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 23, 2021

1. Clark Murphy Housing Complex Marker

Inscription.
The oldest buildings in this residential hall complex were completed in 1961. For decades, this complex housed women students exclusively; the seal of Greenville Woman’s College (GWC), which merged with the all-male Furman University beginning in 1933, was affixed on this structure after the university relocated to this campus. In the late 1900s, male students also began to reside here and it became known as "Lakeside Housing." In 2020, university renamed this complex after Clark Murphy, a much-loved African American janitor, groundskeeper, and handyman of the GWC. For nearly four decades in the late 1800s and 1900s, “Uncle Murphy,” as students affectionately called him, was a cherished mainstay of the GWC experience.

The renaming of this complex also honors the unsung men and women who have labored throughout the long history of this institution, and in doing so, have contributed meaningfully to the life of this community.

Erected 2020 by Furman University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

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It was located near 34° 55.604′ N, 82° 26.251′ W. Marker was in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It could be reached from Old Roe Ford Road west of Poinsett Highway (U.S. 276), on the right when traveling south. Marker can be reached by taking second exit of roundabout at the entrance to the university. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 19394 Old Roe Ford Rd, Greenville SC 29613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Upstate.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Clark Murphy Housing Complex

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 23, 2021

2. Clark Murphy Housing Complex Marker

(here, next to this marker); Judson Hall (a few steps from this marker); The Earle Infirmary (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John E. Johns Hall (about 500 feet away); Alester G. Furman, Jr. Administration Building (about 600 feet away); John E. Johns '47 (about 600 feet away); Alester Garden Furman, Jr. (about 600 feet away); "The Shack" (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . . Task Force on Slavery and Justice. Furman University (Submitted on March 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2026, by Rachel Gambrell of Greenville, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.