Summerton was the setting for the Briggs v. Elliott case. Historic churches, a school and murals offer further insights into the town’s history. Its civil rights history is particularly significant: it connects local sites with a case that became part of the history of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Civil Rights History in Summerton
An early date in this history is 1947, when a request for school buses for Black students was made in Clarendon County. Briggs v. Elliott was the first of five cases consolidated into the Brown v. Board of Education case. Summerton was the setting for the case and one of the early legal challenges that contributed to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board. Together, these milestones show both a specific early point of reference and the connection to the broader legal case.
Summerton High School is also closely connected to the Supreme Court decision that ended racial segregation in public education. The school building was built in 1936 for white students and is the only one of the five schools named in Pearson’s petition that still remains. Railroad Avenue offers another perspective on life in the town during segregation: it was home to a thriving African American business district in downtown Summerton. The town’s history thus extends beyond court cases and schools to the business life of that time.
Churches and Historic Connections
The “New” Liberty Hill AME Church was completed and dedicated in 1905; its cornerstone was also laid that year. Its history is closely linked to Briggs v. Elliott: 14 of the 20 people who signed the case were members of Liberty Hill AME Church. Mt. Zion AME Church reflects a different historical development. Its original building was demolished in 1918, and the wood was reused to build the new structure, which still stands today. From 1948 to 1954, the church hosted meetings to desegregate public schools. The two churches thus represent different but interconnected aspects of the town’s history: their construction and their connection to the civil rights efforts of that time.
Murals and Regional History
The Swamp Fox Trail features more than 20 murals in Clarendon County, six of them in Summerton. They depict General Francis Marion’s battles with the British in 1780–1781 in St. Mark’s Parish, now Clarendon County. Two murals are associated with specific locations in Summerton. “The Patriot” is at Gater’s on Main Street. “Patriot Departs Scott Lake to Ride with Marion” is at Ginger’s Flowers, 4 South Cantey Street. Since business locations can change, it’s worth checking the location for Ginger’s Flowers before setting out specifically to find this mural.
Facilities in Town and the Surrounding Area
Taw Caw Park in Summerton has four fishing piers, a boat launch and a boardwalk. These facilities serve different purposes; if you’re planning a specific visit, it’s a good idea to check their condition in advance, since park facilities can change. In the wider region around Summerton, Lake Marion borders Clarendon County. Its aquatic vegetation and backwater creeks provide habitat for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, bream and many other species. This regional nature connection complements the historical topics with a look at the lake’s habitat.
Discover more destinations: Manning.
For the broader travel overview: Clarendon.
