Removal of Historical Marker
In March 2025, the reference to William Aiken Sr. and the accompanying biographical information were removed from the historical marker at the Aiken County Courthouse. A new marker replaced the original attribution with a list of alternative names once considered for the county, omitting any explanation of Aiken’s role in the naming. The old marker that was removed read, "Aiken County, created in 1871 from parts of Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington and Orangeburg counties, was named for William Aiken, first president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. Older industries in the county today are textiles, and the mining and processing of kaolin. In 1952, the Atomic Energy Commission's Savannah River Plant began operations." The new marker reads, "As early as the late 1820s, residents of this part of S.C. sought to create a new county due to the need for a local courthouse. Efforts were unsuccessful until the 1870-71 legislative session, when Rep. Charles D. Hayne of Barnwell District introduced a bill to create a county with the city of Aiken as its seat. Names considered for the county included Randolph, Woodbury and, finally, Aiken. On March 10, 1871, Governor Robert K. Scott signed the act creating 'Aiken County. Founded during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877), Aiken County was cut from portions of Barnwell, Lexington and Orangeburg counties. Two committees established to set the county's borders and provide for its government buildings include formerly enslaved and free-born African American men as well as white men. The first courthouse was the Gregg Mansion on Colleton Avenue. In 1872, residents elected the county's first officers and state legislators." ==References==