Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Furman University
Reedy River Falls Historic Park
Photographed by Brian Scott, December 7, 2008
1. Furman University Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.
Location. 34° 50.6′ N, 82° 24.017′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It is on Furman College
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mill Village (here, next to this marker); River Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Mill Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Vardry Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Reedy River Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cherokees (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Furman University (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Furman University (about 300 feet away); Liberty Bridge (about 400 feet away); The Falls Reclaimed (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Falls Reclaimed and the Liberty Bridge 2004 (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Furman University. Official website of Furman University. (Submitted on December 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Furman University. Furman University is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian university in Greenville,
Photographed by Brian Scott, December 7, 2008
2. Former Site of Furman University, Now Home to the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts
Additional commentary.
1. About James Clement Furman
Born in Charleston, James Furmans legacy is the service and devotion he gave to his namesake university, which is actually named for his father, Dr. Richard Furman, a Baptist minister and denominational leader. The junior Furman began his tenure as a member of the Furman University faculty while it was still located north of Columbia in Fairfield. He would, working with members of the schools board of trustees, campaign over the next six years to persuade the state Baptist Convention to move the school to Greenville, where it eventually opened in 1851 in McBee Hall. He would go on to become chairman of the faculty and later president of the university.
Furman, an ardent states rights supporter, was heavily involved in politics, as well. In 1860, he secured an appointment as one of the Greenville delegates to attend the Secession Convention, a meeting that would eventually lead South Carolina to become the first Southern state to secede from the Union. On December 20, 1860, Furman was one of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession. (Source: G: The Magazine of Greenville,
Special Collections, South Carolina Library, USC Columbia
3. Furman University (1854)
Furman Campus was designed by Edward C. Jones of Charleston. The Italian-style bell tower was rung each time there was a southern victory during the Civil War. The campus was demolished in 1961 but the bell tower was recreated on Furman's current campus. It now chimes each time there is a Furman athletic victory.
— Submitted April 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. James Clement Furman: History in Brief
At a Glance James Furman became an influential political figure in the community and a leader at Furman University, a school that his father, Dr. Richard Furman, worked to found.
Claim to Fame Furman is best known for his efforts to have Furman University moved from Fairfield, South Carolina, to Greenville in 1851, where it opened in McBee Hall on the corner of Main Street and McBee Avenue. He was chairman of the faculty before later becoming president.
Did You Know? Furman University closed during the Civil War, so Furman became president of the Greenville Womens College instead. Initial efforts to reopen the school after the wars conclusion were unsuccessful, but Furman was quoted as saying, “I have resolved, if the university should go down, to sink with it.”
An Impressive Eulogy At an 1870 commemoration of the death of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Furman was a featured speaker. (Source: G: The Magazine of Greenville, Jan/Feb 09, pg 70.)
— Submitted April 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 
Special Collections, Greenville County Library, Greenville, 1901
4. Furman University (1854)
The music building to the left of the bell tower and the right building make up the entire Furman campus. This engraving comes from a 1901 Greenville city directory.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,729 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on July 12, 2010. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
