Secessionville Historic District

Secessionville Historic District sits on a peninsula and holds six antebellum buildings featuring Victorian and Greek Revival designs. The structures showcase different construction periods and architectural approaches that developed over time in this coastal area.

This settlement began as a retreat for planters but became a Confederate military stronghold during the Civil War. The Battle of Secessionville in 1862 turned it into a major engagement between Southern and Northern forces.

The area displays summer homes that planters from James Island built for seasonal retreats, while the remains of Fort Lamar show how military needs shaped local architecture during the 1800s.

Most properties in the district remain in private hands, so visitors should respect boundaries and explore only publicly accessible areas. The site is best reached by car since it sits away from downtown Charleston.

An unmarked mass grave holds around 300 Union soldiers who fell during the battle, serving as a quiet reminder of the human cost of war. This burial ground is often overlooked by visitors exploring the historic buildings.

Location: Charleston County

GPS coordinates: 32.70500,-79.94310

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00