South Carolina From A To Z

“C” is for Charleston County (919 square miles; 2020 population 417,981). About 1682, in the first blueprint for South Carolina as an English colony, there was no Charleston County.

“C” is for Charleston, Siege of (1863-1865). Though a continuous enemy presence off Charleston was maintained by the United States from May 1861—when the U.S. Navy established its blockade, Charleston did not find itself under continuous attack until July 1863.

“F” is for Fuller, William Edward (1875-1958). Clergyman. Fuller became the new Colored Fire-Baptized Holiness Church's general overseer and its first bishop—a position he held until his death.

“B” is for Big Thursday. For more than six decades the story of the lively football competition between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers was the story of “Big Thursday,” the culmination of State Fair week.

“W” is for Williams, David Rogerson (1776-1830). Congressman, governor.

“S” is for Scott, Robert Kingston (1826-1900). Governor.

“S” is for Scots. The 1707 Treaty of Union allowed Scots free access to the British Empire and large numbers made their way to the southern colonies.

“R” is for Robertson, Benjamin Franklin (1903-1943). Journalist. In 1941, Benjamin Franklin Robertson began work on Red Hills and Cotton: An Upcountry Memory, a celebration of Scots Irish folkways and the agrarian lifestyle—the work for which he is best remembered.

“S” is for Saluda (Saluda County; 2020 population 3,603).

“C” is for Carolina bays. Carolina bays are elliptical, shallow depressions found on unconsolidated sediments of the coastal plain region of eastern North America from Maryland to Florida.

"A” is for Allston, Washington (1779-1843). Painter, writer.

“P” is for Pickens County (497 square miles; 2020 population 127,983). Located in South Carolina’s northwest corner, Pickens County is an area of lakes and mountains.

“M” is for McMillan, Claude Richelieu (1899-1961). Engineer, government official. McMillan’s tenure as chief highway commissioner was one of unparalleled growth.

“M” is for McLeod, Thomas Gordon (1868-1932). Governor. As governor, he signed the 6-0-1 Law, which guaranteed all children in South Carolina six months of schooling per year. H

“L” is for Littlejohn, Nina (1879-1963). Hospital administrator. Aware that African Americans did not have access to suitable medical care, Littlejohn created the John-Nina Hospital in 1913.

“H” is for Highway 301. The highway’s many nicknames are an indication that it was popular among tourists: “Tobacco Trail,” “Highway of Southern Hospitality,” “Tourist Highway,” “Shortest Route from Maine to Florida,” and “The Washington-Florida Short Route.”

“H” is for Highway 17. The modern route of Highway 17 extends from the North Carolina state line to Interstate 95 near Beaufort, closely following the route that Native Americans, early settlers, and even President George Washington traveled many years ago.

Gray, Wil Lou (1883-1984). Educator, public servant. Gray transcended race and class barriers by focusing her energy on the eradication of illiteracy through progressive educational program designed for adults.

“F” is for Frost, Susan Pringle (1873-1960). Preservationist, suffragist. Frost’s historic preservation initiatives contributed substantially to the movement that transformed the streets of Charleston and made it a national tourist attraction.

“E” is for Evans, Matilda Arabella (1872-1935). Physician. Matilda Arabella Evans’s walk-in clinics and hospitals were the first available for many Deep South Blacks.