In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Dorchester County Historical Society (DCHS), after nearly 15 years of research and documentation, releases its latest book, A History of Dorchester County. This hardcover book is a compilation of early histories written by local residents, oral history collected by DCHS members, and historical records donated to the archives of the Dorchester Heritage Center in St. George.
This book is dedicated to Society President Phyllis Hughes in recognition of her efforts in leading the organization and spearheading this project over the past 20 years.
Society has achieved many important milestones over the years. They worked on the restoration of the historic Kogar-Murray Carroll House (c. 1780s), one of the oldest plantation houses in Dorchester County, and published works such as “The Diary of David Gavin (1855-1874)”, “Upper Dorchester’ published his three periodicals. County: A View of the Past” and “Inscriptions from the Memorial Stone Cemetery of Upper Dorchester County.” The association also erected nine historical markers to document the county’s early towns, campgrounds, Dorchester Lumber Company/Badham House, and early schools. In 2014, DCHS established the Dorchester Heritage Center in the former Dorchester County Courthouse. At the time, the center included archives, genealogy, and research libraries. A 4,000-square-foot exhibit hall added to the center in 2017 chronicles the county’s history from the early 1600s to the 1950s.
The book is the result of the dedicated efforts of several members of the Dorchester County Historical Society, according to a press release. Still, both of them were instrumental in completing this manuscript, spending countless hours over the past 15 years preserving the county’s history. DCHS resident historian Gene Bering, who has been writing his own history for 91 years, sacrifices much of his time poring over boxes of collections and pages of information. He spent a lot of time with Americans and local residents and recorded them. Oral stories and history. Together, they researched materials, recorded memories of local residents, and wrote and edited the story of Dorchester County.
“They were the driving force behind a small group of determined workers,” according to a press release. “Other members who contributed writing talent included Mildred Heatley, Peggy Farren, and Bobby McKinnon. Historian Jim Way contributed much research to this project. Bill Blakely Thanks also to Ann Irick and Linda Baker for their contributions to the Moorer/Murray Collection. Monie Cannon of Spartanburg helped write the early chapters. Did.”
Part of the county’s history recorded in this publication includes the discovery of Confitakequi, an early chieftainship discovered by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, and other ruins that followed in the 1500s. contained. The book consists of early transportation developments, medical practices, political activities, and details of many of the county’s towns. Readers will learn about colonial Dorchester and several historic plantations.
“In the course of researching the area, the origins of the Rosenwald School were also revealed,” the press release states. “Efforts have begun to preserve this historic site. There’s a lot to cover in this history, and there’s certainly a lot that can and should be studied and explored.”
Price: $50
Purchased at St. George
Dorchester Heritage Center – 101 Ridge St.
Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce – 225 N. Parler Ave.
Dorchester Eagle Records – 5549 Memorial Blvd.
online order
Dorchester County Historical Society website – scdchs.com ($10 shipping)
United States Postal Service
Checks should be made to: DCHS, PO Box 15, Dorchester, SC 29437 (add $10 for shipping)
