“B” is for Board of Public Works

“B” is for Board of Public Works. The national trend toward improving waterways and other public facilities led South Carolina to create the Board of Public Works in December 1819. The board hired William Jay to develop stock plans (to save money) for new courthouses and jails. In 1820 Robert Mills replaced Jay. Mills revised plans for buildings under construction and developed plans of his own. Mills denounced the move toward uniformity as not considering local needs and available building materials; he also criticized earlier designs for their inconvenient layout and lack of fireproof space for record storage. In December 1822 the South Carolina General Assembly abolished the board and divided its responsibilities between former commissioners. The Board of Public Works had an enviable record for construction with at least eleven courthouse projects begun or completed during its brief tenure.