The Lynching of Allen Green

Marker Text: In 1930, over 100 white men and boys broke into Oconee County Jail to lynch Allen Green, a prominent local African American. Born in 1879, Green lived a few blocks east of here with his wife, Corrie Green. On April 20, he was arrested on likely false charges of raping a white woman. He was then brought to the jail which stood near this site. For several nights, groups met at the mill baseball field planning his lynching.

On April 23, the mob came to the jail, attacked the sheriff, and forced Green from his cell. They took him to a location outside West Union, tied him to a tree and shot him repeatedly. One S.C. newspaper described it as “among the most barbarous crimes ever committed” in the state. Seventeen people, including the mayor of Walhalla, were indicted for murder and other charges. None were convicted. Green is buried outside of town.