BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – Berkeley County’s story is filled with Revolutionary War heroes, forgotten plantations, mysterious ghost tales, historic waterways and generations of families who helped shape the Lowcountry. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lifelong local or someone wanting to better understand the region, these books offer a fascinating look into the people, places and events that define Berkeley County.
From Goose Creek and Hanahan to the Santee Canal and Francis Marion’s swamps, here are 15 books worth adding to your Berkeley County reading list.
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1. Ghosts of Berkeley County, South Carolina
Ghosts of Berkeley County, South Carolina by Bruce Orr explores the haunted history, folklore and supernatural legends that have been passed down through generations in Berkeley County. Drawing from the area’s Native American, colonial and Gullah roots, Orr compiles some of the county’s most chilling tales into a single collection.
The book introduces readers to a variety of local spirits and legendary creatures, including the ghosts of early settlers said to still wander the region’s forests, the mysterious Cymbee water spirits of Gullah folklore, and Spear Finger, a feared Cherokee witch known in Native American legend for preying on unsuspecting victims.
Blending history, cultural traditions and paranormal storytelling, the book offers a fascinating look at the people, places and legends that have helped shape Berkeley County’s rich supernatural heritage. It serves as both a local history lesson and a collection of ghost stories for readers interested in the Lowcountry’s darker side.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $13.22 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $25.04 (Hardcover)
2. Short Stories About Life in Berkeley County South Carolina
Short Stories About Life in Berkeley County, South Carolina by William Shuler is a collection of more than 100 true stories that capture everyday life in Berkeley County during the 20th century. Drawing from his own experiences and memories, Shuler shares tales of the people, events and traditions that shaped the community, while using fictional names to protect the identities of those involved.
The stories span several decades and offer a firsthand look at life before and during the Great Depression, World War II, the moonshine era, encounters with revenue agents, and the challenges of living under generations of local political leaders. Along the way, readers are introduced to colorful characters and the unique culture of rural Berkeley County.
A Berkeley County native born in Shulerville in 1924, Shuler also weaves in elements of his own life story, including his military service with the 91st Infantry Division in Italy during World War II and his later years working at Westvaco. Accompanied by historic photographs, the book serves as both a memoir and a preservation of local history, offering readers a glimpse into a way of life that has largely disappeared from the Lowcountry.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $21.49 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $21.49 (Paperback)
3. The Swamp Fox: How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution
The Swamp Fox: How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution by John Oller is a detailed biography of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, the legendary South Carolina militia leader known as the “Swamp Fox.” Drawing on decades of new research, Oller offers a fresh look at Marion’s life, separating historical fact from the myths popularized by television and film.
The book focuses on Marion’s critical role during the American Revolution, particularly in South Carolina, where he led a small band of militia fighters against British forces during some of the war’s darkest moments. Using guerrilla warfare tactics that were revolutionary for their time, Marion repeatedly harassed British troops, disrupted supply lines and helped keep the Patriot cause alive in the South.
Beyond his military achievements, Oller explores Marion’s personal life and character, portraying him as a determined yet principled leader whose dedication to independence earned him the respect of both allies and adversaries. Readers are also introduced to other key figures of the Revolution, including British officer Banastre Tarleton, General Lord Cornwallis, Thomas Sumter and “Light-Horse Harry” Lee.
Combining military history, biography and South Carolina heritage, the book paints a comprehensive portrait of one of the state’s most celebrated historical figures and argues that Marion’s efforts played a crucial role in helping secure American independence.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $10.24 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $10.24 (Paperback)
4. Maude Callen: Legendary Nurse-Midwife of South Carolina
Maude Callen: Legendary Nurse-Midwife of South Carolina by Lindsay Street tells the remarkable story of Maude Callen, a pioneering Black nurse-midwife who spent nearly seven decades providing medical care to some of South Carolina’s most underserved communities.
Beginning in 1923, Callen dedicated her life to serving residents of rural Berkeley County and the surrounding Pineville area, often traveling by mule-drawn wagon to reach patients living in poverty and without access to healthcare. Over the course of her career, she delivered thousands of babies, treated illnesses, and made house calls throughout the Lowcountry, becoming a lifeline for countless families.
The book also explores how Callen’s work gained national attention in 1951 when Life magazine published a photo essay documenting her efforts. The powerful story introduced Americans across the country to her extraordinary service and inspired donations that helped expand healthcare resources in the community.
Drawing on historical records, archival materials and Callen’s own words, journalist Lindsay Street paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose compassion, perseverance and commitment transformed healthcare in rural South Carolina. The biography highlights Callen’s lasting impact on Berkeley County and preserves the legacy of one of the state’s most influential medical pioneers.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $19.23 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $19.23 (Paperback)
5. Lawmen And Lawlessness: Corruption and Murder Historic Cases Investigated by the Sheriffs of Berkeley County, SC 1882 to 1970
Lawmen and Lawlessness: Corruption and Murder Historic Cases Investigated by the Sheriffs of Berkeley County, SC 1882 to 1970 by current Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis and State Constable Daniel J. Crooks offers a gripping look at nearly a century of crime, justice and political intrigue in Berkeley County.
Drawing from court records, trial transcripts, personal letters and archival documents, the authors recount some of the county’s most notorious criminal cases and the sheriffs who investigated them. The book covers everything from murders, manhunts and shootouts to public executions, bootlegging operations and political corruption, placing readers in the middle of the action through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts.
The authors also examine the unique challenges faced by Berkeley County sheriffs, who often held significant political power and were forced to navigate conflicts between law enforcement, local politics and public expectations. Set against the backdrop of a changing South Carolina—from the post-Reconstruction era through the modern age—the book reveals how crime, epidemics, corruption and social upheaval shaped the county’s history.
Part true-crime collection and part historical record, Lawmen and Lawlessness provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the people, cases and events that helped define Berkeley County’s justice system for nearly 90 years. It is especially appealing to readers interested in local history, law enforcement and the darker chapters of the Lowcountry’s past.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $46.96 (Hardcover)
READ MORE l Berkeley County Corruption, Murder Cases Highlighted In Sheriff’s Book
6. Sunken Plantations: The Santee Cooper Project
Sunken Plantations: The Santee Cooper Project by Douglas W. Bostick explores one of the most transformative—and controversial—engineering projects in South Carolina history: the creation of the Santee Cooper lakes system.
The book chronicles the development of the Santee Cooper Project during the New Deal era, when federal funding under President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped make possible a long-sought plan to improve navigation, generate hydroelectric power and stimulate South Carolina’s economy. To create what would become Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, more than 177,000 acres of land were acquired and cleared in what was then the largest land-clearing project in American history.
Bostick focuses on the communities, homes and historic plantations that disappeared beneath the rising waters. More than 20 plantations, many dating back to the colonial era, were flooded as the lakes were created, forever altering the landscape of the South Carolina Lowcountry and Midlands.
Combining historical research with photographs and illustrations, the book uncovers the stories of these lost plantations and the families who once lived there. Part history, part visual journey, Sunken Plantations offers readers a fascinating look at the cultural heritage submerged beneath the waters of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and the lasting impact of one of South Carolina’s most ambitious public works projects.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $18.15 (Hardcover)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $18.15 (Hardcover)
7. Berkeley County: The Winds of Political Change
Berkeley County: The Winds of Political Change by B. Earl Copeland examines the dramatic transformation of Berkeley County from a largely rural, politically controlled community into one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.
The book traces the county’s history from its establishment in the late 19th century through much of the 20th century, when Berkeley County was heavily agricultural, sparsely populated and often characterized by political favoritism and concentrated power. Copeland explores how a small group of influential leaders shaped county government and politics for decades, creating an environment that critics argued was vulnerable to corruption and resistance to change.
As the narrative progresses, the author details the economic, political and demographic shifts that gradually reshaped Berkeley County. Industrial development, population growth, infrastructure improvements and changing political dynamics helped transform the county from a largely isolated agricultural region into a major economic engine of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Part political history and part community chronicle, Berkeley County: The Winds of Political Change provides readers with an insider’s look at the decisions, leaders and events that influenced the county’s evolution. The book offers valuable context for understanding how Berkeley County became one of the state’s most rapidly developing communities and the challenges that accompanied that growth.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $14.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $23.99 (Hardcover)
8. Historic Ramblin’s Through Berkeley County, South Carolina
Historic Ramblins Through Berkeley is a history of Berkeley County, SC written by J. Russell Cross, county historian. Ramblins is a valuable resource for tracing the history of Berkeley County, its people, and its culture. Hardcover, 2002.
📚Buy online from the Berkeley County Museum – $30.00
9. Little Mistress Chicken
Little Miss Catherine Chicken is a historical tale inspired by a real-life event that occurred in Berkeley County in 1748, blending local history with a story of resilience and survival.
The book follows 8-year-old Catherine Chicken, the daughter of a prominent colonial family. After the death of her father and her mother’s remarriage, Catherine is sent away to boarding school, where she endures a terrifying punishment. According to the story, she is tied to a tombstone in a graveyard and left alone overnight, an ordeal that tests her courage and determination.
Based on a documented kidnapping and rescue incident from colonial-era Berkeley County, the book sheds light on the hardships children could face in the 18th century while also highlighting the strength of its young protagonist.
Despite her traumatic experience, Catherine goes on to build a successful life. She later marries Benjamin Simmons and lives at historic Middleburg Plantation, becoming part of one of Berkeley County’s well-known colonial families. Combining local history, family heritage and a remarkable true story, Little Miss Catherine Chicken offers readers a glimpse into life in colonial South Carolina and the resilience of a young girl who overcame extraordinary adversity.
📚 Get it on Ebay – $38.00 (Hardcover)
10. The Chicken Trilogy: The Chicken Family Trials and Tribulations in the Carolina Frontier
The Chicken Trilogy: The Chicken Family Trials and Tribulations in the Carolina Frontier by former Goose Creek Mayor Michael J. Heitzler is a sweeping historical series that follows three generations of the influential Chicken family as they navigated the challenges of colonial South Carolina during the 18th century.
The trilogy consists of three interconnected books: George Chicken, Carolina Man of the Ages; George Chicken Jr., Son of Carolina; and Little Mistress Chicken, A Veritable Happening of Colonial Carolina. Together, they chronicle the lives of a family deeply involved in the political, economic and social development of the Carolina frontier.
The first volume focuses on Colonel George Chicken, a prominent Indian commissioner, trader, planter and political leader associated with the powerful Goose Creek Men, a group that dominated South Carolina politics during the colony’s formative years. The second book follows his son, Captain George Chicken Jr., whose work as an Indian trader, militia officer and parish commissioner helped strengthen relations between British colonists and Native American tribes.
The trilogy concludes with the story of Catharine Chicken, George Chicken Jr.’s daughter, whose childhood ordeal forms the basis of one of Berkeley County’s most enduring historical stories. Her experiences provide a window into daily life, social customs and hardships faced by families living on the colonial frontier.
Blending biography, genealogy and South Carolina history, The Chicken Trilogy offers readers a detailed look at the people, politics and frontier struggles that helped shape Berkeley County and the broader Carolina colony. Rich in historical research and local connections, the series is particularly valuable for readers interested in colonial history, early South Carolina families and the development of the Lowcountry.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $28.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $30.94 (Paperback)
11. The Goose Creek Bridge: Gateway to Sacred Places
The Goose Creek Bridge: Gateway to Sacred Places by Michael J. Heitzler explores the rich history of one of Berkeley County’s most significant landmarks and the communities it connected for more than three centuries.
Using the historic Goose Creek Bridge as its focal point, the book traces the evolution of the Saint James, Goose Creek Parish and the churches, cemeteries, chapels and sacred sites that have shaped the region’s religious and cultural heritage. Heitzler tells the story through a unique lens, following worshippers as they crossed the bridge to attend Easter services during different periods of South Carolina history.
Along the way, readers encounter many of the people and events that influenced the Lowcountry, including the Yamassee War, the American Revolution and the Civil War. The book examines how residents experienced these conflicts firsthand, from colonial settlers caught in frontier warfare to soldiers who later camped near the bridge during times of national upheaval.
Beyond military history, the book also explores the impact of transportation, commerce and community development. Roads, rail lines, taverns and changing social conditions all played a role in shaping the lives of those who lived around Goose Creek and worshipped in its historic churches.
Combining local history, religious heritage and historical storytelling, The Goose Creek Bridge: Gateway to Sacred Places provides a detailed look at the people, institutions and events that helped define one of South Carolina’s most historically important communities. It is particularly valuable for readers interested in Berkeley County history, colonial South Carolina and the enduring legacy of Saint James Goose Creek Parish.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $17.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart – $16.78 (Paperback)
12. The Santee Canal: South Carolina’s First Commercial Highway
The Santee Canal: South Carolina’s First Commercial Highway by Elizabeth Connor, Richard Dwight Porcher Jr. and William Robert Judd tells the story of one of America’s earliest and most ambitious transportation projects and its lasting impact on South Carolina’s development.
Completed in 1800, the Santee Canal created the first inland water route connecting South Carolina’s interior to Charleston and the Atlantic Ocean. By linking the Cooper, Santee, Congaree and Wateree rivers, the canal dramatically improved the movement of goods and people, helping fuel economic growth in both the Lowcountry and the state’s interior during the early years of the United States.
The authors explore the canal’s conception, construction and operation, detailing the engineering challenges involved in building one of the nation’s first major canals. The book also examines how the waterway transformed commerce, agriculture and daily life for South Carolinians, making it a critical transportation corridor before the rise of railroads.
Richly illustrated with historical maps, photographs, technical drawings and previously unpublished documents, the book brings the canal’s history to life while highlighting its influence on the landscape and communities it served.
Part transportation history, part economic history and part engineering achievement, The Santee Canal: South Carolina’s First Commercial Highway offers readers a comprehensive look at a landmark project that helped shape South Carolina’s growth and laid the groundwork for future infrastructure development throughout the Southeast.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $39.64 (Hardcover)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $44.39 (Hardcover)
13. Hanahan (Images of America)
Hanahan (Images of America) by B. Earl Copeland and Christie Rainwater chronicles the history and growth of Hanahan, one of Berkeley County’s most recognizable communities, through a collection of historic photographs and detailed narratives.
The book traces the area’s roots from the colonial plantation era, when several large plantations occupied the land that would eventually become Hanahan, to its transformation following the Civil War. As Charleston expanded and sought a reliable source of clean drinking water, attention turned to Goose Creek. In 1903, the construction of a dam and pumping station helped establish the community that would later bear the name Hanahan, honoring the chairman of the Charleston Water Commission.
The authors explore how military installations, schools, businesses and residential development contributed to Hanahan’s growth throughout the 20th century. The book highlights the community’s evolution from a rural area into a thriving city that officially incorporated in 1973.
Filled with historic images, the book captures everyday life, local landmarks and the people who helped shape Hanahan’s identity. While documenting decades of change and development, it also emphasizes the community spirit and small-town character that residents have worked to preserve.
Part photographic history and part community biography, Hanahan (Images of America) offers readers a visual journey through the city’s past and provides valuable insight into how Hanahan became an important part of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $23.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $29.14 (Paperback)
14. Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Planters, Politicians and Patriots
Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Planters, Politicians and Patriots by Michael J. Heitzler explores the origins and early development of Goose Creek, tracing the community’s history from its colonial beginnings through more than three centuries of growth and change.
As the first volume in a two-part series, the book focuses on the people who established the foundations of the Goose Creek region during the late 17th and 18th centuries. Heitzler examines how European settlers and enslaved Africans transformed the wilderness into some of the most successful plantations in colonial South Carolina, including well-known estates such as Otranto, Medway and Sedgefield.
The book delves into the lives of the planters, political leaders and patriots who shaped the area, highlighting Goose Creek’s influential role in the economic and political development of the Carolina colony. It also explores the rise of the powerful “Goose Creek Men,” a group of political leaders whose influence helped shape South Carolina’s early government and society.
Drawing on extensive historical research, the author brings to life the stories of the families, institutions and events that helped define the region long before Goose Creek became the modern city known today.
Part local history, part colonial biography and part political chronicle, Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Planters, Politicians and Patriots offers readers a detailed look at the community’s often-overlooked past and reveals how Goose Creek played a significant role in the broader history of South Carolina and the Lowcountry.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $29.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart – $26.75 (Paperback) CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK
15. Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Rebellion, Reconstruction and Beyond
Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Rebellion, Reconstruction and Beyond by Michael J. Heitzler continues the story of Goose Creek’s evolution, examining the community from the Civil War era through Reconstruction and into the modern age.
As the second volume in Heitzler’s comprehensive history of Goose Creek, the book explores the profound social, political and economic changes that reshaped the region after the collapse of the plantation system. Drawing on hundreds of previously untapped primary sources—including private journals, tenant farmer records, hunting club documents and other historical materials—the author reveals the experiences of both wealthy landowners and the African American families who lived and worked throughout the area.
The book examines how residents navigated the challenges of war, emancipation, Reconstruction and the changing agricultural economy. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked lives of African Americans who persevered on small farms and in rural communities while facing significant social and economic obstacles.
Through detailed research and storytelling, Heitzler chronicles the transition of Goose Creek from a plantation-dominated society to a modern community influenced by industrial development, population growth and changing political landscapes.
Part social history, part local history and part cultural study, Goose Creek, A Definitive History: Rebellion, Reconstruction and Beyond offers readers a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped Goose Creek and the people whose stories are often absent from traditional historical accounts. The book provides valuable insight into the community’s transformation and the enduring legacy of its diverse residents.
📚 Get it on Amazon – $29.99 (Paperback)
📚 Get it on Walmart.com – $17.14 (Paperback)
Why These Books Matter
Berkeley County’s history is far richer and more complex than many people realize. Its stories include Revolutionary War battles, hidden cemeteries, lost plantations, political battles, small-town traditions and generations of families who helped build the Lowcountry.
These books help preserve those stories while offering readers a deeper appreciation for the communities, people and landscapes that continue to shape Berkeley County today.
NOTE: All prices listed were current at the time of publication; however, they may change without notice.
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