Cainhoy Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
SE of Huger (Berkeley County)
Alternate Name:
Cainhoy, Lewisville, Louisville
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817708003
Description and Narrative:
The Cainhoy Historic District is composed of a collection of nine major buildings which range in date from the mid-eighteenth century through the early twentieth century. This group of buildings serves as an illustration of the cultural and architectural development of the village from a ferry landing to a small but thriving river port. Each building is a vernacular specimen from its respective period, and collectively, with the contributory structures and buildings, preserves the fabric of an early river port and ferry community. The origin of the name “Cainhoy” is not documented, however it is locally considered to have been associated with an earlier Native American village. The first white settlers in the area were primarily Scottish Presbyterian and French Huguenot farmers who eked out a bare existence on land so dry and barren as to be worth hardly a dollar an acre in 1826. Later settlers were attracted by those same dry conditions and located their homes there away from the unhealthy swamps. Cainhoy’s significance lies in its role as an early transportation link between inland Berkeley County and Charleston and in its fine collection of early buildings. In 1876 Cainhoy was the site of a political rally for Wade Hampton which degenerated into a brawl between blacks and whites. Christened the “Cainhoy Massacre,” the incident left seven men dead and sixteen wounded. Listed in the National Register on March 11, 1982.
Period of Significance:
18th century;19th century;20th century;circa 1790 – 1950
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Transportation;Architecture;Ethnic Heritage: Black;Politics/Government
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
March 11 1982
