Image by Flickr user Tim Brown Architects

Researchers from Clemson University and Ursinus College are documenting the history of 10 African-American communities in East Cooper area.

Read more stories on this subject in our black history topic page.So far, research has shown that the 10 black settlements, some dating back to the 1880s and where home to freed salves, deserve to be nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The historic communities are spread out through Mount Pleasant from Remley's Point just across the bridge to the Fifteen Mile community up Highway 17.

Researchers are currently identifying buildings, landscapes and lineages while gathering oral histories and detailing educational and spiritual ties that remain strong in the area. The project not only sheds light on time and people forgotten, but could serve as a huge opportunity for heritage tourism.

The Post and Courier has some good coverage of the study, go check it out.

Also, we've previously talked about the issue of the squeeze on black history in East Cooper.