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

Coker Spring

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013

1. Coker Spring Marker

Inscription. The freshwater spring 1/2 mi. SE was used by prehistoric Indians. It was deeded to the town of Aiken in 1844 by William Perroneau Finley (1803-1876) and furnished Aiken´s drinking water throughout the 19th century. A regular stop on the stagecoach route from Abbeville to Charleston, it helped make Aiken a popular health resort. William Gilmore Simms described it in 1843 as “a fountain of delicious water, which is equally cold and unfailing.”

(Reverse text)
The brick springhouse, covered in stucco, dates from the early 19th century and features Greek Revival architectural elements. During the Civil War Confederate soldiers who camped nearby were frequent visitors to Coker Spring. The springhouse and its retaining walls, neglected by the turn of the 20th century, were restored in 1972 after archaeological excavations on the site. Coker Spring was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Erected 2013 by Erected by the Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee Camp No. 1575, Sons of Confederate Veterans. (Marker Number 2-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 33° 33.321′ N, 81° 43.432′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is at the intersection of South Boundary Avenue SE and Newberry Street, on the right when traveling east on South Boundary Avenue SE. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The One Room Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Ergle Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Trough and Drinking Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Banksia (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hitchcock Woods (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named "Banksia" (about 500 feet away); Hofmann (about 500 feet away); Aiken County Museum (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.

More about this marker. Although typed and casted 2012, marker was erected January 2013

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

Coker Spring Marker, Reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013

2. Coker Spring Marker, Reverse side

is covered by a springhouse, which is constructed of brick, covered with stucco. The front façade 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 Ephraim Franklin who obtained the spring as part of a 285-acre land grant in 1787. Apparently the spring then changed hands several times. The spring gained prominence as a regular stop on the stagecoach route from Abbeville to Charleston, and also as the major source of drinking water for the town of Aiken which had been chartered in 1835. Eventually, however, the spring fell into ruin. Listed in the National Register January 18, 1978.(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
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

Related marker.

Coker Spring seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 24, 2012

3. Coker Spring seen today

Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. see relationship another marker shown.

Coker Spring Marker, looking west along South Boundary Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013

4. Coker Spring Marker, looking west along South Boundary Avenue

Coker Spring Marker at South Boundary Avenue SE and Newberry Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013

5. Coker Spring Marker at South Boundary Avenue SE and Newberry Street

Coker Spring image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History., circa . 1880

6. Coker Spring

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.

Coker Spring Prior to Excavation, 1972 image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History., `

7. Coker Spring Prior to Excavation, 1972

Coker Spring Excavated Spring, 1972 image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, `

8. Coker Spring Excavated Spring, 1972

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,374 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 3, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on March 5, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 3, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.