32°47′39″N 79°56′55″W / 32.7942°N 79.9485°W
| Mitchell Playground | |
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| Location | 145 Fishburne St., Charleston, South Carolina 29403 |
| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Created | 1910 |
| Operated by | City of Charleston |
Mitchell Playground is a public park in Charleston, South Carolina bounded by Fishburne St. (north), Perry St. (east), Sheppard St. (south), and Rutledge Ave. (west). It is named for the Julian Mitchell Elementary School to the immediate east of the playground.
History
Mitchell Playground was both the first public playground in Charleston as well as in South Carolina. [1] The park served the upper wards of Charleston predominantly, but it was convenient to the main trolley lines too. The park was a turf field surrounded by a hedge and shade trees with gates into the playground at each corner. Paths crossed diagonally through the park. Equipment included swings, monkey bars, and joggling boards. [2] The playground had live tennis courts, a basketball court, a football field, and other amenities. [3]
Initially, Mitchell Playground did not admit black children. However, later into the era of segregation, Mitchell Playground was devoted exclusively to black children while other parks, such as Hampton Park, were reserved for white children. [4]
Notes
- ^ "City Play Ground Dedicated". Charleston News & Courier. March 11, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved Nov 21, 2012.
- ^ "Big Playground Completed". Charleston News & Courier. April 11, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved Nov 21, 2012.
- ^ "New Playground Popular". Charleston News & Courier. Oct 14, 1911. p. 10. Retrieved Nov 21, 2012.
- ^ "Playground Situation in Charleston Yesterday". Charleston News & Courier. July 7, 1964. p. A11. Retrieved Nov 21, 2012.