About

The South Carolina Historic Properties Record (SCHPR, pronounced "skipper") is a searchable database of the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office's records on historic properties. In this system, you have access to three different types of records: historic properties, National Register listings, and historic resource survey reports. For each of these three types, you can access descriptive and administrative information as well as related digitized images and pdfs. Keep in mind that not all records will have associated digitized material. We're working to increase the number of records that do have pictures and documents available. On our home page, you can find information and tutorials on how to use SCHPR most effectively. We hope you'll find this website useful to your research and your work.

SCHPR is still an in-process project as we continue to add records and associated resources to its catalog and as we continue to tweak the website for greater usability. We appreciate your patience! Should you have any questions about this site or the materials in it, please refer to the contact information on the right hand side of this page. We'll be happy to answer your questions to the best of our abilities.

So what are the records on this website?

Historic property information and survey reports are generated through the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties. A historic resources survey is the process of systematically identifying historic properties within the boundaries of a specific geographical area, documenting their location and physical characteristics, and evaluating their significance within an appropriate historical context. The records of the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties include information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and landscapes. The records include documentation on properties in every county within the state. Relatively few properties have been recorded in some counties, while thousands have been recorded in others. Most records of the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties are available for public use. The location of sensitive or endangered sites, however, may be restricted. Please note the records of the statewide archaeological survey are maintained by the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA). In 1968, the state legislature charged the Institute with creating and maintaining the Statewide Archaeological Site Inventory. Today the inventory includes data on more than 20,000 archaeological sites. Information about using the archaeological site files is available on the SCIAA website.

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is a list of properties significant in our nation’s past, which is maintained in Washington, D.C., by the National Park Service. Properties are added to the NRHP by nominations submitted by citizens nationwide through State Historic Preservation Offices. South Carolina has over 1,400 listings in the National Register. This includes over 170 historic districts. On this website, you can access the nomination form for a National Register listing and any associated photographs. If you would like to learn more about the South Carolina SHPO's National Register program, please visit our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to report an error or typo on a site survey card?

There is not currently a mechanism in place for flagging sites with typos or erroneous data entry. If you would like to report an error or typo, please email Virginia Harness with the following information: a hyperlink to the site in question and a description of the error. Thank you for understanding that although we try our best to produce efficient and correct data from the cards, typos are easy to commit!

Is there an option to add an update card to this database?

In that the website represents the archival material we have in our custody, SCHPR is a static record. However, resurveying an area or even a property is not a bad idea! If you would like to submit new information for one property or many, we would be happy to accommodate you. As we digitized those materials and put them online, we would not add that information to the current record, but create a new entry for the new card and link it to the older card. This way, when a researcher looks at one, they will see an option to view the other. If you would like to submit a resurvey card, please email Virginia Harness for further information.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History
State Historic Preservation Office
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC 29223

Virginia Harness
Historic Properties Information Coordinator
Phone — (803) 896-6179
Fax — (803) 896-6167
Email — vharness@scdah.sc.gov