Georgetown, South Carolina – Georgetown Town Clock

Paige Sawyer of Georgetown submitted this photo of his town's clock to our SC Town Clock Gallery.

Paige writes: "The town clock building is a Greek Revival structure and was originally used as an open air market. As early as 1788 the site at the foot of Screven Street had been the location of the town market. The brick building replaced an earlier wooden structure.

In 1841 fire destroyed the main Front Street businesses between Queen and Screven Streets. The old wooden market which had sustained severe damage in the hurricane of 1822, was torn down as a fire break. In 1842 the entire block, including the market and adjacent Kaminski Building, was rebuilt. The clock tower was added about 1845. The second floor of the town clock was used as the town hall until recent times.

"In February 1865, when Federal troops occupied Georgetown, the town council signed surrender papers in this building. In 1970 the Georgetown County Historical Commission purchased the town clock from the City of Georgetown. The Commission restored the structure and since it has housed the Rice Museum, which opened in May of that year during the celebration of the South Carolina Tricentennial. The clock works in the tower were made operational again in 1975."

Be sure to check out more of Paige's pictures at Paige Sawyer Photography.

The Rice Museum features many interesting exhibits on the history of Georgetown and surrounding areas. The museum, along with a delightful downtown area, makes Georgetown a nice spot to spend a weekend.