Our Rich History
From stagecoach stop to railroad town – a journey through time
Timeline
1791
President George Washington dines at the Piney Woods tavern during his Southern Tour, traveling between Augusta and Columbia.
1866-1871
The Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta Railroad is built through Edgefield County, leading to the establishment of depot towns including Trenton.
1870
James Monroe Wise builds the first store and residence in Trenton, becoming the town’s founder and instrumental in developing the village.
1877
A town charter is issued in the name of Trenton. The following year, the post office changes from “Pine House” to “Trenton.”
1878
The Edgefield Branch Railroad is chartered to connect Edgefield to Trenton, later becoming the Edgefield, Trenton and Aiken Railroad.
1881
Rev. Alexander Bettis, a former slave, founds Bettis Academy to provide education for African Americans when few opportunities existed.
1971
The first Ridge Peach Festival is held, beginning what would become one of the longest-running festivals in South Carolina.
1998
Bettis Academy and Junior College is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its role in African American education.
Today
A marker stands near the intersection of SC Highways 121, 19, and 25 memorializing George Washington’s historic visit to Trenton.
Notable Residents & Historic Figures
People who have shaped our community and made history
David E. Harris (1934-2024)
First African American Commercial Airline Pilot
Born in Columbus, Ohio, David E. Harris made aviation history on December 3, 1964, when American Airlines hired him as the first African American pilot at a major U.S. commercial airline. Three years later, in 1967, he became the first Black captain at a major carrier.
When asked about his race during his interview, the chief pilot responded: “This is American Airlines and we don’t care if you’re black, white or chartreuse, we only want to know, can you fly the plane?”
After retiring in 1994 from a 30-year career with American Airlines, Harris lived in a fly-in community near Trenton, where he continued flying his single-engine Socata Trinidad well into his 80s. His uniform and memorabilia are part of the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s “Black Wings in Aviation” exhibit.
HISTORIC FIRSTS
- First Black commercial pilot (1964)
- First Black captain at major airline (1967)
- 30-year career with American Airlines
- Smithsonian honoree
George Washington
Historic Visitor – 1791
The first President of the United States dined at the Piney Woods tavern in what would become Trenton during his Southern Tour, traveling between Augusta and Columbia. A historic marker commemorates this visit today.
Benjamin Tillman
SC Governor 1890-1894
A controversial figure in South Carolina history, Tillman served as the state’s governor and later as a U.S. Senator. He had significant ties to the Edgefield County area including Trenton.
Wenonah Bell
Artist
A painter born in Trenton who contributed to the arts in South Carolina, Bell represents the creative spirit that has always been part of our small community.
National Register of Historic Places
Bettis Academy & Junior College
A Beacon of Education for African Americans (1881-1952)
In 1881, Rev. Alexander Bettis, a former slave who could neither read nor write, purchased 27 acres of land for $3 an acre and established a school for African Americans at a time when educational opportunities for Black citizens were practically nonexistent in South Carolina.
What began as a one-room frame building grew into an institution that would transform lives for over 70 years. The school emphasized Bible study, literacy, mechanical and agricultural arts, and home economics. In 1933, Bettis Academy was accredited as a junior college, allowing graduates to teach in South Carolina’s elementary schools or enter four-year colleges as juniors.
At its peak, the campus included 14 major buildings and 350 acres of land. When the school closed in 1952 as South Carolina began improving public education for Black citizens, its mission had been accomplished.
Rev. Alexander Bettis
Founder (1836-1895)
Born into slavery, Bettis was taught to read by his owner’s wife but was never taught to write. After emancipation, he organized the Mt. Canaan Missionary and Educational Union, raising $300 to purchase the land that would become Bettis Academy.
Biddle Hall Museum
One of the few surviving buildings, Biddle Hall was a “state of the art” home economics facility built with a grant from the General Education Board. It has been restored and now houses an African American history museum, preserving the legacy of Bettis Academy for future generations.
Listed on National Register: 1998