Sites for two new historical markers were presented to Laurens City Council last night. During the April meeting of Council, Mrs. Elma Morrison, who is Chair of the city’s Historical Markers Committee, presented proposals for two additional locations.
One of the markers would be at the corner of Hampton Avenue and Caroline Street, designating the Possum Hollow area of town. Mrs. Morrison noted the Bethel A.M.E. Church was located near this intersection on Caroline Street. She noted the church building was designed by African-American Architect Columbus White, who had been born into slavery. The 1868 brick structure collapsed around twenty years ago.
The other location proposed for a historical marker is the Charles Duckett House at 109 Downs Street. Mrs. Morrison explained that Mr. Duckett was a successful businessman who built that house in 1895. Charles Ducket operated a lumber yard in Laurens which, at the time, was the only such business operated in the South by an African-American. Other business interest of Mr. Duckett included a funeral home in Laurens.
