Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Coker Spring
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 24, 2012
1. Coker Spring Marker
Coker Spring (added 1978 - - #78002490)
The source of water for early settlers.
A stagecoach stop on route from Abbeville to
Charleston, S.C. Deeded to City of Aiken 1844
by Wm. Peronneau Finley. Restored by many
friends in 1972.
(Upper Medallion)
The National Register
of Historic Places
South Carolina
Department of Archives
And History
Coker Spring
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 33° 33.035′ N, 81° 43.641′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is on Coker Springs Road SW, on the left when traveling west. Turn on Coker Springs Road off of Whiskey Road. (Coker Springs is between Easy Street and DuPree Place). Continue on Coker Springs as road becomes dirt. The Springs are down on the left. To depart you may continue on Coker Springs and turn right at the end onto Newberry Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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: A different marker also named Aiken County Courthouse Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Aiken County Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); Leah Walker (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Banksia" (approx. 0.3 miles
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Aiken County Courthouse Bell (was approx. Ό mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Transit of Venus Observatory Structure, 1882 (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Coker Spring. Coker Spring is a fresh water spring. Archeological remains found near this property suggest that this was probably a water supply for prehistoric Indians. The spring later served as the source of drinking water for the early settlers of Aiken (ca. 1830-1890). The spring is covered by a springhouse, which is constructed of brick, covered with stucco. The front faηade features a pedimented entranceway with a wide entablature. Stuccoed brick retaining walls extend along the left and right sides of the springhouse. The first recorded owner of Coker Spring was
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 24, 2012
2. Coker Spring as seen today
National Register of Historic Places:
Coker Spring (added 1978 - - #78002490)
Coker Spring Rd. , Aiken
♦ Historic Significance: Information Potential, Event
♦ Area of Significance: Historic - Aboriginal, Social History
♦ Cultural Affiliation: None Listed
♦ Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1875-1899, 1825-1849, 1800-1824, 1750-1799, 1000-500 AD
♦ Owner: Local
♦ Historic Function: Domestic, Landscape
♦ Historic Sub-function: Conservation Area, Park, Secondary Structure
♦ Current Function: Landscape
Also see . . . Coker Spring. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 20, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Coker Spring
By 1791,
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 24, 2012
3. Coker Spring nestled in along Coker Spring Road
a land grant for a 285-acre farm which included the site of Coker Spring. Coker Spring was a
major source of water for the town of Aiken through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
——
William Peronneau Finley was President of Charleston College 1857. Member S. C. Seccession Congress. Elder Presbyterian Church.
— Submitted June 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
2. Coker Spring
there was a girls' school, which was run by a French woman named Madame Bonnetheau, near Coker Spring around the time of the Civil War. The school prompted young men to loiter around the spring, so they could catch a glimpse of or walk with the girls.
—
In 1876, federal troops who were called to maintain law and order during the Reconstruction era camped near Coker Spring.
—
When Aiken City Council established a central waterworks in 1892, artesian wells replaced Coker Spring as the city's main water source
(The Augusta Chronicle)
— Submitted June 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
4. Coker Spring, ca. 1880
The first spring house was built at Coker Spring in 1800.
The origin of the spring's name is unknown. At various times, it also was known as Cocoa Spring, Cold Spring and Cooker Spring.
South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
5. Coker Spring Prior to Excavation, 1972
South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
6. Coker Spring Excavated Spring, 1972
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,502 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 26, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
