One of the main reasons the ladies of Kingstree formed a Civic League in 1908 was to make their vision of a playground for the town's children a reality. While their first acts as a group had little to do with a children's playground, that vision was always in the back of their minds. Two years after the group formed, State Representative R.H. Kellahan donated property in "New Town" to be used as a park/playground during his lifetime.
A gate to Kellahan Park today.
This property was apparently originally part of the Singleton Plantation and at one time in the distant past, a house belonging to some member of the Singleton family had occupied it. However, by 1910, it was vacant of any structure but covered in trees and thick underbrush. The Civic League decided to clear the area of underbrush and put in "comfortable benches and swings" so that the public, particularly the children, could enjoy it. An editorial in The County Record hoped that Mr. Kellahan would permanently donate the property to the town as it would be "a blessing to the town and an ever-living monument to its donor." Eva Lee chaired the committee of the Civic League charged with moving the work along as quickly as possible.
In March, 1913, The County Record's wish came true when Kellahan deeded the lot bounded by P.H. Stoll, Epps Street, Kelley Street, and Academy Realty Company to the town for use as a children's playground and park. The deed also stated that if, at any time, the property was used for any purpose other than a playground, the deed would be void. The County Record noted: With its location and abundance of shade trees and shrubs, the plot, which is about an acre in size, is admirably suited for the purpose for which it is given, and we feel safe in saying that in making the donation to the town, Mr. Kellahan will have won the thanks of every citizen of Kingstree.
For the next two years the Civic League worked to clear the undergrowth and to raise money for benches, playground equipment, and a fountain as a centerpiece for the park. The ladies planned to plant extensive flowerbeds around the fountain. In March, 1915, the League sponsored an old-fashioned spelling bee at the Thomas Opera House to raise funds for the park. Both adults and children participated in the spelling bees. All of the 10-cent admission price was to go to the park, as expenses for the spelling bee were covered by local residents.
The frozen fountain at Kellahan Park during the cold winter of 1917.
Source: A Pictorial History of Williamsburg County
One hundred and one years later, in January 1918, the park was again under a blanket of snow.
The park officially opened on May 28, 1915. It would be known as the Kellahan Playground. For the three days leading up to the opening, workmen were busy from early morning until late evening, assembling and placing the swings, see-saws, and benches. Eager children were already playing on the equipment almost as soon as it was assembled. On the day of the grand opening, the Civic League served free cake and lemonade from 5-6 p.m. There was plenty of room in the park for more playground equipment, but the ladies had exhausted their treasury and were now appealing to public-spirited citizens to donate more swings, a buckboard, a merry-go-round or anything else to "assist in the amusement of Kingstree's little folk."
The park became a place for individual families to go for fun and recreation, as well as a spot for organized activities, such as Easter Egg hunts. However, the ladies of the Civil League continued to face challenges involving the playground. In June, 1916, a fierce storm swept through the area. Although none of the trees in Kellahan Park fell during the storm, by September, 15 to 20 of the live oaks had died. This was puzzling to the town's inhabitants; however, the Civic League decided to replace the live oaks with five pecan trees, hoping that whatever killed the live oaks would not damage the pecans.
The gazebo at Kellahan Park decked out for Christmas.
The park continued to attract local children to various activities. In 1921, it became the site for a monthly Children's Story Hour. When roller skating became the rage, the town decided to pave the four walkways radiating from the fountain in an attempt to get children to skate in the park rather than on the streets. The Civic League, which had by then become the Civic League and Library Association, donated $50 toward the paving. The Association also installed two more benches and an ocean wave in the park in 1923. In addition, the ladies requested that the town put lighting in the park so that the children would be able to roller skate at night.
The park served as a stage for the re-enactment of the Battle of Kingstree several years ago.
Kellahan Park has continued through the years to provide a grassy place for local children to play, and has been the site for several community events, including the King's Tea, an annual event put on for several years a number of years ago by the Friends of Kellahan Park, and more recently was the stage for a re-enactment of the Battle of Kingstree, sponsored by the Williamsburgh Historical Society, the Francis Marion Trail Commission and the Williamsburg Tourism Board. The Francis Marion Trail Commission also installed a kiosk in the park which provides information about that battle.
Today, Kingstree residents still use the park regularly, whether it's office workers enjoying the fresh air and a picnic lunch in the middle of the day, neighbors giving their pet dogs an opportunity to run, or children swinging as their laughter mingles with the songs of birds. The park, as The County Record predicted, continues to "be a blessing to the town and an ever-living monument to its donor."
The kiosk installed by the Francis Marion Trail Commission explains the Battle of Kingstree.
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