Mr. John Darby the photographer in the early 20th century.
Cross Hill was a recognized antebellum community in Southern Laurens Co., S.C., map ca, 1856.
Image taken by R&R in 2013
1850s SC map showing the location of Bivensville, Spartanburg Co., S.C. where Mr. Badgett began his building career in S.C.
Constructed in circa 1898 at a cost of $15,000. Image courtesy of photographer Bill Segars – 2009
Courthouse image from the 1930s. Courtesy of the Cooper Photo Collection – 2017
The County Court Act of 1785 provided for court to be held in every county of South Carolina each quarter. The first county court for Laurens was convened at the residence of John Rodgers in 1785 with seven justices present. The first courthouse was a wooden building that was also used for a church and school. The exact location of this courthouse is unknown. The county purchased four acres of land from Samuel Saxon in 1792 to serve as a courthouse square. In 1799, an act of the General Assembly abolished the county courts and, along with them, the judges. The General Assembly appropriated $5,000 for the construction of a new courthouse and jail in 1815. Dr. John Wells Simpson constructed the central portion of the Laurens County Courthouse c. 1838, and in February 1840, it was ready for court. Information from: Laurens Co Postcard Series, LCMA, Arcadia Publishing – 2007
A 1930’s image of the historic Episcopal Church. Image courtesy of the Cooper Photo Collection – 2017
