As the nation celebrates Black History Month, Berkeley County’s deep Black heritage takes center stage, showcasing its role in shaping South Carolina’s history from the colonial era to the present day.
According to the Encyclopedia of South Carolina, Berkeley County’s history is intertwined with the contributions of Black residents, dating back to the establishment of plantations along the Cooper and Santee rivers in the late 1600s. Enslaved Africans cultivated rice and indigo, generating immense wealth for plantation owners while creating a lasting cultural and economic impact on the region. By 1790, African Americans, the vast majority of whom were enslaved, outnumbered white residents by more than three to one.
The county was home to notable figures such as Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, but its enslaved population also played a vital role in the war effort, supporting militias and contributing to the economy that fueled South Carolina’s push for independence. Following emancipation, Berkeley County’s Black residents engaged in Reconstruction-era politics and were elected to state and federal offices. However, political gains were gradually eroded by laws such as the 1895 state constitution that disenfranchised Black voters.
In the early 20th century, Berkeley County’s Black community faced economic hardships through the sharecropping system, which kept many in cycles of poverty. Despite this, Black residents built thriving churches, schools, and businesses. The Great Migration saw many leave for opportunities in northern and mid-Atlantic cities, but those who remained continued to shape the region’s development.
The mid-20th century brought change as federal projects spurred economic growth, including the Santee Cooper hydroelectric initiative. By the late 1900s, Berkeley County had transformed into an industrial hub, yet Black communities persisted in their advocacy for civil rights and economic opportunities.
Today, the county honors its Black heritage through historic sites, educational initiatives and cultural events. Below are some notable Black figures from Berkeley County, along with the Berkeley Training School, which played a key role in Black education in the early 20th century.
Andrew Bryan – Born enslaved in Goose Creek in 1737, Bryan helped found Savannah, Georgia’s First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black congregations in the nation and a National Historic Landmark. He eventually purchased freedom for himself and his family before passing away in 1812.
Felix Ferguson – A farmer from the Moss Grove area, Ferguson served in World War I as part of the Moncks Corner-based Company H of the 370th Infantry, known as the “Blue Helmets.” One of the few Black regiments in the war, Ferguson received three citations for gallantry in action in 1918 while in France and was awarded the Silver Star, a rare honor for a Black soldier at the time.
Maude Callen – Callen dedicated more than 60 years to nurse-midwifery and public health in rural Berkeley County, particularly in Pineville. She operated a community clinic in her home and helped deliver more than 600 babies, passing down medical knowledge to many women. In 2017, the Berkeley County Historical Society unveiled a historical marker honoring her, and her contributions are recognized in exhibits at Roper Berkeley Hospital and the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center.
Berkeley Training School – One of 500 schools in South Carolina funded by the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, Berkeley Training School was a crucial institution for Black education in the early 20th century. The school helped shape generations of Black leaders and professionals in the county.