Near Blacksburg in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
That's So Sweet!
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
1. That's So Sweet! Marker
With sugar too expensive and artificial sweeteners unknown, how could farmers satisfy their sweet tooth? By using sorghum! Unlike sugar cane, sorghum is drought resistant, making it an ideal crop for this region.
Rich in hard-to-find nutrients like iron, calcium and potassium, sorghum was actually proscribed by doctors as a health supplement. However, it required processing equipment that not every farmer could afford. Gathering to make sorghum molasses created a social event while finishing an important farm task.
Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture.
Location. 35° 8.595′ N, 81° 20.133′ W. Marker is near Blacksburg, South Carolina, in York County. Marker can be reached from Camp Cherokee Road. Marker is located on the grounds of Kings Mountain State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg SC 29702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Artisan With Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); A Valuable Resource that Grows In Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Sweet Homeplace (within shouting distance of this marker); A Looming Mystery
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Sorghum. Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. (Submitted on December 24, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Kings Mountain State Park. Kings Mountain State Park is a South Carolina state park located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. (Submitted on December 24, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
2. That's So Sweet! Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
3. That's So Sweet! Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
4. That's So Sweet! Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
5. That's So Sweet! Marker
After harvest, sorghum stalks are stripped of leaves and fed between the rollers of a press - here, located to the right of the cooker - to crush the fibers and extract the juice.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
6. That's So Sweet! Marker
The juice is then poured into a large iron pan like the one in front of you. Boiling the juice removes the impurities and water, transforming it from a thin yellow-green liquid to sticky, dark-brown molasses.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
7. That's So Sweet! Marker
Sorghum is actually a kind of grass. Like many crops, it must be planted each year.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
8. That's So Sweet! Marker
Sorghum Cooker & Press
Sorghum Cooker & Press
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
9. Sorghum Cooker & Press
Carpenters Shop in Background
Carpenters Shop in Background
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
10. Sorghum Cooker & Press
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2010
11. Sorghum Cooker & Press
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 24, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
