The monument will be placed at the Falls County courthouse, marking what organizers say is the first African American memorial at that location. The memorial will stand at about 6 and a half feet tall and bears the names of 435 emancipated people who journeyed from South Carolina to Texas in 1867.
In January 1867, the 435 freed slaves made the journey by train from Kingstree South Carolina 65 miles to Charleston, by ship from South Carolina to Galveston before traveling by train 200 plus miles to settle near what is now Marlin, Falls County in search of a better life in Texas.
Their arrival helped shape the region during the Reconstruction era, laying the foundation for families and communities that still exist today.
The journey is now honored at both its beginning and its end. A sister memorial marker was installed in Kingstree, South Carolina, in May 2025, just steps from the historic railroad station where the journey began. Together, the two markers tell the full story of the freed men, women and children from departure to destination.
Organizers say the Marlin memorial is not just about the past, but about legacy, remembrance, and healing. By honoring the names of those who walked toward freedom, the project ensures their courage will be remembered for generations to come.
The memorial is organized by the Black Pearls of Genealogy and is part of a sister set, with one monument already unveiled in Kingstree, where the group’s journey started. The organization says their goal is preservation, creating something permanent in a time where they feel history can be erased or forgotten. The group is still raising money to help pay for the monument. More information about how to donate or become a sponsor can be found here.
For invitation, for list of names, for more information - Marlin TX
Monument at the train station in South Carolina, sister to the monument to be unveiled in Marlin, on July 11th.