C. An Illustrated History, 1550-1988 | History of SC Slide Collection

It is impossible to include all of the history of South Carolina in the images that have been included in this roughly chronological section of the entire collection. Those who wish to expand their understanding of a particular period are urged to use the search function for particular dates for images from the other sections of the collection illustrating other aspects of South Carolina life at that time.

Within this Series

Savannah River Area Map | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 18

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"Carte Particuliere de la Caroline dresse sur les memoires le plus nouveaux, Amsterdam, chez Pierre Mortier," ca. 1696. This map of the Savannah River area shows the French perception of the region...

The Doolittle Raiders | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 18

Photo

Grades: 5 8

The Columbia Army Air Base in Lexington County became the headquarters of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle's famous "Raiders," who trained there for their bombing run over Tokyo. Courtesy of the Thomas Cooper...

The Webster-Hayne Debate | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 18

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Grades: 4 8 9 10 11 12

The Webster-Hayne Debate. Bitter sectional disputes emerged during the presidency of Andrew Jackson: the issues that divided north from south, and sometimes east from west, included the disposal of...

Goose Creek Church | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 19

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Goose Creek Church in St. James Parish was one of the earliest structures built in South Carolina for religious worship. The congregation was founded by Rev. William Corbin in 1702 in the wealthiest...

James Francis Byrnes | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 19

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James Francis Byrnes (see Governor James Byrnes) rose to prominence in South Carolina and the nation, first in the House of Representatives, and then in the Senate. A supporter of Roosevelt's New Deal...

Oath of Loyalty to the U.S. | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 19

Photo

Grades: 4 8

South Carolinians, under Lincoln's plan for the restoration of the Union, could be restored to citizenship by taking an oath of loyalty to the United States, such as this one signed by Thomas D...

Union and States' Rights Gazette | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 19

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Grades: 4 8 9 10 11 12

The front page of the short-lived "Union and States' Rights Gazette" illustrates the complexity of South Carolina politics even though many outsiders thought the state unified behind opposition to the...

Execution of Amy Spain, Darlington County Courthouse | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 20

Photo

Grades: 4 8

A view of the Darlington County Courthouse and the sycamore tree where Amy Spain, a slave who had spied for the Union army, was hung by the citizens of Darlington. Sketched by Edwards for "Harper's...

Landrum Blockhouse | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 20

Photo

Grades: 4 8

Landrum Blockhouse on the South Carolina and North Carolina line, near Tryon, North Carolina. This was one of a series of blockhouses built for protection against the Native Americans. A WPA photo...

The Chester Volunteers | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 20

Photo

Grades: 4 8

The Chester Volunteers, Captain Robert Mills Dunovants's company of the Palmetto Regiment, were one of the many South Carolina military units who made up the army that fought in the War with Mexico...

Battle of Cherubusco | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 21

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Grades: 4 8

South Carolinians were among those who most strongly supported the Mexican War, for it promised westward expansion of the nation in territory south of the Missouri Compromise Line of 1820, and thus...

Charleston Exchange Building | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 21

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The focal point of this 1780 view of Charleston from the harbor is the handsome Exchange Building, begun in 1767 as an exchange and customs house for one of the most prosperous shipping towns in the...

We Are Seven | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 21

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Grades: 4 8

Secession was only a first step in South Carolina's actions to separate from the United States. Other states followed South Carolina. By February of 1861, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi...

Palmetto Symbol - South Carolina Regiment | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 22

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Grades: 4 8

The palmetto symbol of the South Carolina regiment's heroic exploits at Cherubusco, Vera Cruz, and Chapultapec became the rallying cry for South Carolinians in general, as well as for veterans of the...

South Carolina Topsey in a Fix | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 22

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Grades: 4 8

The cartoon "South Carolina Topsey in a Fix," one of "Strong's Dime Caricatures," was printed by W.T. Strong in 1861. Topsey has cut one of the stars out of the American flag. Courtesy of the South...

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

Episode 23

Photo

Grades: 4 8

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...

Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 24

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Grades: 4 8

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...

South Carolina's Ultimatum | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 25

Photo

Grades: 4 8

"South Carolina's Ultimatum," engraved by Currier and Ives, portrays South Carolina as destroying herself in her threats to destroy the Union. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

The Bombardment of Fort Sumter | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 26

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Grades: 4 8

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...

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

Episode 27

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Grades: 4 8

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

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

Episode 28

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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.

Fourth South Carolina Regiment | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 29

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Grades: 4 8

The Fourth South Carolina regiment, working in the trenches at night at Manassas Junction. From "Harper's Weekly," August 10, 1861. Courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Map of Hilton Head, December, 1861 | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 30

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Grades: 4 8

In spite of the absence of modern television and radio news coverage, citizens were given a visual understanding of the war through the efforts of photographers like Matthew Brady, and the engravings...

Bombardment of Port Royal | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 31

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Grades: 4 8

The troops of the U.S. Army at Fort Sumter surrendered to the Confederacy on April 14, but within the year a larger force had established a permanent military footing along the South Carolina coast...