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Early Cotton Press

Dillon County · dedicated 1974 · S.C. Hwy. 38, just E of its junction with I-95 Exit 181 and .3 mi. W of its junction with S.C. Hwy. 917 W, Oak Grove vicinity, SE of Latta, Latta

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This cotton press, built in 1798 according to tradition, is thought by many to be the oldest in existence. It was first owned and used by John Bethea, III, and later by Henry Berry. Powered by oxen or mules rotating the beam to tighten the press, it was rendered obsolete by modern machinery. A Berry descendant moved it to this site about 1948 to preserve it.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Marker data: South Carolina Historical Marker Program, SC Department of Archives and History
Sponsored by Dillon County Historical Society

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