South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Secessionville Historic District, Charleston County (Secessionville, James Island)
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Fort Lamar
Earthworks
Fort Lamar
Earthworks
Fort Lamar
New Magazine
Bombproof
Fort Lamar
Old Magazine
Fort Lamar
Gun Position
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Fort Lamar
Earthworks
Fort Lamar
U.D.C. Monument
Fort Lamar
Monument
Elias L. Rivers
House-Facade
Elias L. Rivers
House-Rear
Elevation
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Elias L. Rivers
House-Outbuilding
Seabrook-Freer
House

The Secessionville Historic District is a small rural settlement which visually reflects the development of Secessionville from a remote antebellum retreat into an important Civil War outpost and the eventual home of prominent James Island agriculturalists. Secessionville was found well before the Civil War as a summer retreat for the wealthy planters of James Island. When Union forces besieged the city of Charleston in 1861, Secessionville became an important outpost in the Confederate defense lines. In June of 1862 the settlement was the site of the Battle of Secessionville, one of the major engagements fought in the Siege of Charleston. With the conclusion of the Civil War, Secessionville became the home of several leading James Island planters. Especially notable among this group was Elias Lynch Rivers, a leading agriculturalist who did pioneer work in the improvement of Sea Island cotton. The district extends down the length of Secessionville peninsula, encompassing the site of the Battle of Secessionville, the unmarked grave of over 300 Union soldiers and the remains of Fort Lamar, constructed ca. 1862. The district then runs along the marshlands of Secessionville Creek to include one Victorian and two antebellum Greek Revival residences constructed by James Island planters. Listed in the National Register October 1, 1979.

View a map showing the boundaries of the Secessionville Historic District.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

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