Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Camden Courthouse and Gaol

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

1. Old Camden Courthouse and Gaol Marker

Inscription. On this site stood the original Camden District Courthouse and gaol (jail), built in response to increased lawlessness in the South Carolina backcountry. Construction was completed in 1771 and the first term of criminal court convened shortly afterward. The jail stood across the Great Wagon Road (Waxhaw Road) from the courthouse. The first courthouse was probably a one-room wooden building which burned in 1779. The two stories and basement of the brick jail housed criminals and runaway slaves. During the American Revolution both sides confined prisoners here, including teenaged future president Andrew Jackson, who was captured by the British in April 1781. The British fortified the jail in the summer of 1780 and burned it when they evacuated Camden in May 1781. Both the courthouse and jail were rebuilt on the same sites after the war. The second jail burned in 1812 and was replaced by the public market. The second courthouse was replaced in 1825 by the Greek-revival style building designed by architect Robert Mills.

“For the apprehending and bringing to Gaol, A. Westbury, who … burnt the Courthouse and set fire to the Gaol ~ $100 Dolls.”

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Expense Claim of Joseph Kershaw, March 11, 1789

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is March 11, 1775.

Location. 34° 14.33′ N, 80° 36.389′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It is on Broad Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milledgeville GA 31061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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 Robert Mills Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Jail and Town Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaol (within

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

2. Overview

shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Joseph Kershaw's Tomb (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Price House (about 700 feet away); The First Town Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northwest Redoubt (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Northwest Redoubt (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Front view of Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

3. Front view of Courthouse

View of the Courthouse from the South image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

4. View of the Courthouse from the South

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,330 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.