Photographic Journey of “The Progressive Club” Original Building, its rich history on Johns Island and importance during the Civil Rights era and beyond

The Progressive Club on Johns Island (River Road) was founded in 1948 as a center for education, voter registration and civil rights on Johns Island, today’s Progressive Club is an ongoing effort by a diverse group of Islanders to re-establish the Progressive Club as the center of history and hope on Johns Island.

Though most of the original infrastructure was destroyed during Hurricane Hugo, its goals and missions remain. Here is a little history of the founder and current images of its remains.

Learn about founder Esau Jenkins

1910 – 1972
PROGRESSIVE CLUB FOUNDER

“I am a native of Johns Island… I have been trying to obliterate ignorance, to promote health and social, educational and civic welfare and to combat juvenile delinquency – to secure a more rich and abundant life for ourselves and for posterity… the people with whom I work are some of the poorest ones on God’s earth, I believe. Because of these conditions, we have obligated ourselves and denied ourselves and borrowed and begged for money to help build a center that our boys and girls and adults can use. It’s the one place on the island where they can play basketball, table tennis and other games…”

• Left school in 4th grade to help his father farm
• Took classes in Greek to sell to Greek-speaking vegetable store owners in Charleston
• Purchased a bus to transport island children into Charleston to attend the black public high school
• Purchased additional buses to transport people into Charleston to work.
• During the commute riders were taught to read the part of the Constitution found on voter registrations, enabling more blacks to register to vote.

Official website