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

South Carolina’s Third Oldest City

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 20, 2008

1. South Carolina’s Third Oldest City Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1729, Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina and was named for George, Prince of Wales, who later became King George II. Settled by migrating families from Charleston, the colonial residents made their livelihood as traders, merchants and planters. Taking advantage of British bounties for indigo, highly prized as a clothing dye in Europe, an elite class of indigo plantation owners and merchants evolved and formed the Winyah Indigo Society, which in 1755 established one of the first free schools in America. The Revolutionary War brought an end to the indigo trade with England, but saw the emergence of local patriots, including Thomas Lynch, Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Frances Marion, the illustrious “Swamp Fox.” Following the war; local planters made fortunes cultivating rice—Carolina Gold—in the area’s low-lying river estuaries. It was a glamorous and genteel era of enormous wealth, aristocracy and plantations. Though spared much of the ravages of the War Between the States, the social, political and economic upheaval that followed caused

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the rice culture to ultimately collapse. Without slave labor to cultivate the rice crop, most of the plantations were doomed. A series of severe hurricanes in the late 1800s delivered a final, devastating exclamation point. The Downtown Historic District contains more than 50 historic homes, buildings and sites dating back to 1737. The Rice Museum on Front Street offers a fascinating glimpse of the most gracious and colorful chapter in Georgetown’s history.

Erected by a joint partnership of the City of Georgetown and Georgetown Steel Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1729.

Location. 33° 21.906′ N, 79° 16.968′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. It can be reached from the intersection of Front Street and Screven Street. Marker is on the wharf behind the Town Clock. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown SC 29440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 20, 2008

2. South Carolina’s Third Oldest City Marker

marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

and on Waccamaw Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Rice is King (a few steps from this marker); 631 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Marquis de Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rice Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); 633 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Clock / Kaminski Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon (within shouting distance of this marker); 637 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

View of the Town Clock from the Wharf image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 20, 2008

3. View of the Town Clock from the Wharf

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,056 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on August 5, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.