Mitchelville Freedom Park- 229 Beach City Road- there is a parking lot here allowing easy access to the markers and structures.

Mitchelville was the first African American town on Hilton Head Island. It was established on a cotton field that was originally part of the Fish Haul Plantation in 1862 after the sudden influx of slaves entering Union lines following the Battle of Port Royal. Mitchelville was named after General Ormsby Mitchel. The town had its own elected officials, church, schools and shops. The Freedmen’s Aid Society provided teachers for the schools which children between the ages of 6-15 were required to attend. In exchange the former slaves raised cotton for the Union. By the end of 1865 the town had 1500 residents. It was closed in 1868 when the Federal Army left the island. General Mitchel died of Yellow Fever in Beaufort, SC on October 30, 1862.

The marker below was severely weathered and unreadable. The image below was taken from the historic marker database.

The next three pictures were taken from the gazebo that overlooks the marsh.

Cherry Hill School

St James Baptist Church