About

Hamburg History

The Hamburg-Carrsville African American Heritage District is a historic neighborhood in North Augusta, South Carolina (SC) which contains the remnants of the antebellum town of Hamburg. The historically African America neighborhood contains a wealth of historic features and stories spanning over two centuries. This is the story at a glance.

1813 - Henry Shultz built a bridge across the Savannah River using enslaved labor.
1821 - Henry Shultz built the town of Hamburg using enslaved labor.
1833 - The Charleston to Hamburg Railroad was built using enslaved labor.
1840s - Hamburg became South Carolina's premier inland market.
1850s - Hamburg declined because of railroad expansion & became a virtual ghost town.
1860 - The Providence Baptist Church was established in Hamburg.
1865 - The Era of American Slavery came to an end after the Civil War.
1867 - Reconstruction began. South Carolina’s population was 60% African American in the 1860s.
1868 - SC State Constitution created the Public Education System & integrated schools.
1868 - African Americans received all Civil Rights & won 60% of State Legislature seats.
1871 - Aiken County was founded. 7 of the 8 founding officers were African American

1876 - THE HAMBURG MASSACRE WAS COMMITTED

1877- Reconstruction was overthrown. African Americans were removed from elective offices & Black Codes were passed, which stripped them of their Civil Rights. The Jim Crow Segregation Era began.
1895 - New State Constitutional Convention called which strengthened segregation.
1929 - Massive flooding forced Hamburg residents to move to higher ground. Hamburg by the river lasted from 1821 to 1929, but the story didn't end there.
1930 - The people, homes, & buildings of Hamburg were moved to the bluff above and became known as New Hamburg, Hamburg on the Heights or Carrsville.
1930 - 1960s New Hamburg-Carrsville operated under segregation. School & Black-owned businesses were located in the neighborhood.
1970 - Civil Rights Movement successes lead to court ordered school integration. Sound Craft Studios opens on the corner of Barton & East Buena Vista Roads and "The God Father of Soul", James Brown records several records there.

HAMBURG HISTORY IN THE NEW MILLENIUM

2000 - Author Wayne O'Bryant began researching his family connections to Hamburg.
2006 - Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Alexander Pope, Jr., The First Providence Foundation 29841 Inc. was created as a non-profit organization to manage the revitalization of the Carrsville community.
2008 - Author Stephen Budianski's book, The Bloody Shirt, sparked additional interest. Brenda Barrato, with the Aiken County Library, & Phyllis Britt with the North Augusta Star newspaper began working on the Hamburg story.
2009 - Hamburg research tours were organized & Historical Marker application submitted.
2011 - Hamburg Massacre Historical Marker was unveiled and traveled on a teaching tour.
2012 - Major Hamburg Exhibit opened at the North Augusta Heritage Center.
2015 - Mayor Lark Jones presided over Carrsville Historical Marker installation.
2016 - Hamburg Massacre Historical Marker & Memorial Stone installation in Carrsville.
2017 - Providence Baptist Church Historical Marker installation in Carrsville.
2018 - Mayor Bob Pettit created an Ad Hoc Committee to study, consider, and advise on changes at the Merriwether monument site.
2021 - Hamburg-Carrsville African American Heritage District designated by the City Council of North Augusta. The District forms a partnership with the First Providence Foundation 29841, Inc.
2022 - First annual Hamburg Commemoration Weekend is instituted.
2024 - Mayor Briton Williams presided over the unveiling of the Historic Panels at Meriwether Monument site.
2025 - Fourth annual Hamburg Commemoration program was held.
2026 - Marks the 150th Anniversary of the Hamburg Massacre, an event that changed the course of U.S. History.

The Hamburg Carrsville African American Heritage District Committee is currently planning and fundraising to commemorate the milestone anniversary by hosting a positive, enlightening, & effective program as we seek ways to work together for a brighter future! You can help by donating here!

The District

The Society Building

The Society Building was built in 1930 as the Young Men's Union Society. The building lot was owned by William Carpenter, a local black businessman who donated many of his lands to the displaced families of Hamburg following the flood. Over the years, the Society Building has served many purposes, and was acquired by Simmons Lodge Number 571 in 1988.

Today, the Society Building is home to a museum that tells the story of the area with a special focus on African American history in the community. This museum is appointment only, and tours can be scheduled by contacting Wayne O'Bryant at ourstoryex@gmail.com

First Providence Baptist Church

Text from First Providence's State Historic Marker: "Providence Baptist Church was established by enslaved and free people of African descent in the town of Hamburg. After the Civil War Hamburg became a center of African American political power in Aiken County. In 1868 three members of the Providence Congregation, John Gardner, Prince Rivers, and Samuel Lee, won election to the S.C. legislature. All three would rise to greater political prominence during the era of Reconstruction.

In 1929 a massive flood inundated Hamburg and forced residents to move to higher ground. The town never recovered. Many residents salvaged material to rebuild their homes. Providence Baptist Church was similarly dismantled and rebuilt atop the 75 foot bluff behind the old town. The new settlement was officially named Carrsville, but sometimes referred to locally as 'New Hamburg.'"

Carrsville State Historic Marker, in front of The Society Building:

This African-American community was established in 1930 after two floods on the Savannah River washed away most of the town of Hamburg. That town had become a predominantly African-American community after the Civil War. Carrsville was most likely named for Charles W. Carr of the American Red Cross or for William Carpenter, an African-American businessman, both of whom gave lots for new homes here to families displaced by the flooding.

Boylan Street here was originally named Red Cross Street in recognition of that organization’s aid to the black families who had lost their homes on the banks of the Savannah River. This building, long called “the Society Building,” was built in 1930 for the Young Men’s Union Society, which later bought the lot from William Carpenter. The building has hosted many events for organizations such as Simmons Lodge No. 571, which acquired it in 1988.

Hamburg Massacre State Historic Marker, also in front of The Society Building:

The Hamburg Massacre, which occurred nearby on July 8, 1876, was one of the most notable incidents of racial and political violence in S.C. during Reconstruction. White Democrats across the state organized “rifle clubs” to intimidate black and white Republicans during the gubernatorial election of 1876. Clashes between groups of armed men were frequent, in some cases even including the militia.

After a dispute between whites and a black militia company, about 200 men from local rifle clubs tried to disarm 38 black militiamen and others barricaded in a warehouse. One white was killed and men on each side were wounded before the blacks fled. Two blacks were killed trying to escape. Whites captured 25-30 blacks and executed four of them. 87 whites were charged in the massacre but were never tried for it.

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