Culbertson’s Backcountry Settlement includes a Blockhouse from Oconee County (circa 1750). At that time, blockhouses were located about every 10 miles along the Native American boundary to provide safety for local residents and allow defensive action. Multiple loft areas provided both safe sleeping quarters for local settlers and a platform from which to fire upon attackers through “loopholes” or small, narrow openings near the top of the blockhouse. Blockhouses were small, log fortifications frequently used in the backcountry during the Revolutionary war. There are also two log cabins (circa 1790), which are representative of settlers’ homes during the time period.

 

Other structures at Culbertson’s Backcountry Settlement are from later periods than the Revolutionary era, but include: Piney Grove Schoolhouse, a one-room African-American school, c. 1880; Ora Old Fields Presbyterian Church, c. 1880; a corn crib, c. 1890; a blacksmith shop c. 1850. Click here to learn more about the structures at Culbertson's Backcountry Settlement.

Culbertson’s Backcountry Settlement is located on the Old Georgia Road, which settlers traveling from places including Virginia and North Carolina would take to travel to Georgia. This road cuts through what is now Woodruff along the way. The land for CBS was purchased and donated to the Gray Court-Owings Historical Society by Charles and Dianne Culbertson in 2002. The mission of the GCOHS is: Preserving the history of upper Laurens County, South Carolina. Click here to learn more about the GCOHS.