Explore South Carolina

Learn about South Carolina. You may be surprised at what you'll find!

In addition to the topics below, you can also delve into South Carolina's history by visiting the Social Studies section.

Public schools observe John C. Calhoun's birthday, March 18, as South Carolina Day.

Within this Collection

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

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Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

The mansion on the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site was completed in 1859 by Governor James Henry Hammond. Governor Hammond was governor from 1842 to 1844. The construction was done by Augusta...

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks Baker Creek State Park | Destination: SC Parks

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Baker Creek State Park | Destination: SC Parks

The pavilion at Baker Creek State Park is a rental facility that overlooks the Lake Thurmond. The park includes fishing, trails and also is unique with a mountain bike trail.

Aiken State Park | Destination: SC Parks

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Aiken State Park | Destination: SC Parks

Aiken State Park was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and its the second-oldest park in South Carolina. Many of the structures built still remain standing today. There is a lot of...

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks Hunting Island State Park | Destination: SC Parks

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Hunting Island State Park | Destination: SC Parks

Located in Beaufort County, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built Hunting Island State Park in 1938. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had established the CCC, a federally funded...

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks Charlestowne Landing State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

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Charlestowne Landing State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

The host joins Park Manager Ron Fischer at Charlestowne Landing State Historic Site aboard the "Adventure." The "Adventure" is a reproduction of a 17th-century sailing vessel and was built for the...

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks Colleton State Park | Destination: SC Parks

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Colleton State Park | Destination: SC Parks

Colleton State Park is located along the Edisto River. The park is used for river rescue training and visitors are welcome enjoy the river for activities like fishing, kayaking or tubing. Colleton...

Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area | Destination: SC Parks Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

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Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site | Destination: SC Parks

Learn early South Carolina history at Colonial Dorchester State Historic Park. The site dates back to 1697 and was occupied by settlers until the 1780s. Colonial Dorchester has one of the best...

Early 20th Century Northern Landowners in the South | Between the Waters Origins of Lowcountry Cuisine | Between the Waters

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Origins of Lowcountry Cuisine | Between the Waters

Culinary adaptations transformed traditional African dishes into a unique, new creolized cuisine, influenced by European and Native American traditions, and characteristic of Gullah culture. Foodways...

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Parris Island Naval Dry-Dock | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

In the early 1880s, the federal government began to purchase land in the Port Royal area for a permanent naval base. Plans for such a base had long been the dream of Robert Smalls, the U.S...

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American Red Cross Headquarters, 1893 | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

Scarcely had the city of Charleston recovered from the 1886 earthquake than the entire coast, including Charleston, was struck by a devastating hurricane in 1893. It created extensive damage in the...

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Charleston's Homeless Crisis After Earthquake | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

Hundreds of people were left homeless by the destruction of the 1886 earthquake. Others feared to stay in their homes lest there should be another quake, or weakened walls collapse. Here, families...

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Train Derailed by Earthquake | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 3

The force of the 1886 Charleston earthquake knocked this train from its tracks. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.

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Charleston Earthquake | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 2

At 9:45 p.m. on August 31, 1886, a major earthquake struck Charleston. There were 27 people killed in the collapse of buildings, and another 33 died later of injuries. Buildings were destroyed, roads...

Wade Hampton III Monument | History of SC Slide Collection

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Wade Hampton III Monument | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

In the aftermath of the 1876 election, Wade Hampton III stood on the steps of the State House on November 28, 1876, urging his followers to avoid acts of violence. Hampton and the Democrats elected to...

Confederate Ram Under Construction | History of SC Slide Collection

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Confederate Ram Under Construction | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 37

A Confederate ram under construction in Charleston. From "Leslie's Illustrated Weekly." Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Forfeited Estate Plat in Port Royal | History of SC Slide Collection

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Forfeited Estate Plat in Port Royal | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 35

Forfeited estate plat from Port Royal Island. The surveyor reported, "This tract subject to Mrs. Poingsett's Right of Dower during her life." The plat--an official map made by a surveyor that gave the...

Beaufort's Contraband Problem | History of SC Slide Collection

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Beaufort's Contraband Problem | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 34

The occupation of the Beaufort area enabled many slaves to flee their masters. In the chaos of war and occupation, many brought with them household goods, furniture, and clothing from the homes their...

Federal Occupation of Beaufort | History of SC Slide Collection

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Federal Occupation of Beaufort | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 33

Federal forces under General Stevens march triumphantly into the town of Beaufort on December 5, 1861. "Harper's Weekly" reported to its readers, "The beautiful rural town of Beaufort came into...

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Aftermath of Charleston Fire, 1861 | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 28

In December of 1861, a great fire swept through Charleston, destroying much of the city, and making the defense of the city even more difficult. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Housetop View of Fort Sumter's Bombardment | History of SC Slide Collection

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Housetop View of Fort Sumter's Bombardment | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 27

The housetops of Charleston during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. From "Harper's Weekly." Courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

The Bombardment of Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Bombardment of Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 26

On April 11, 1861, with the supply ships Lincoln had promised to send already underway, General P.G.T. Beauregard sent James Chesnut with a message to Major Anderson, demanding to know when he would...

Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

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Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 24

Fort Sumter, viewed here from the rear, could not be re-supplied without the Confederate forces in Charleston acquiescing; which they were determined not to do. As Major Anderson's garrison saw their...

Entry of Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter, December, 1860 | History of SC Slide Collection

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Entry of Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter, December, 1860 | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 23

The entry of Major Robert Anderson's (see Major Robert Anderson) command into Fort Sumter on Christmas night, 1860. After the secession of the seven deep South states, federal troops withdrew from...

General Sherman's Army Crossing the Saluda River | History of SC Slide Collection

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General Sherman's Army Crossing the Saluda River | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

When General William Tecumseh Sherman invaded South Carolina, he surprised those who expected him to strike first at Charleston. Instead, he marched the main body of his army northward toward Columbia...

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