Darlington in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Darlington County Jail
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
1. Darlington County Jail Marker (Side A)
This building, a New Deal project of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Public Works Administration (PWA), was built in 1937 at a cost of $60,000. Called “one of the most modern jails in the South,” it was designed by Rock Hill architect Alfred D. Gilchrist (d. 1944). Its second floor featured separate cell blocks for black and white males and separate cells for black and white females.
The office, kitchen, and jailer’s quarters were on the first floor; hospital and juvenile cells were on the third floor; and cells for minor offenders were in the basement. The jail closed in 1976. Since 1984 it has been the headquarters of the Darlington County Historical Commission. The commission, created in 1965 to maintain a county archives and research repository, also marks area historic sites.
Erected 2009 by the Darlington County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16-60.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 34° 18.283′ N, 79° 52.292′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Darlington County Confederate Monument (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Darlington County / Darlington County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); “Yankee Hill” (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. James Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of First Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Reese's Row" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lawrence Reese (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darlington.
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
2. Darlington County Jail Marker (Side B)
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
3. Old Darlington County Jail
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
4. Old Darlington County Jail
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
