In early Charleston, South Carolina, residents lived near the animals they used for food. Cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats were often seen on city streets as they were moved to be slaughtered. This practice raised public health and sanitation concerns. City officials responded by moving slaughterhouses away from the city center.
By the late 1690s and into the 18th century, a northern suburb called Butcher Town was created for meat processing. The move was based on practical needs and public health. Before artificial refrigeration, slaughtering had to happen close to where people lived to keep meat fresh. However, the process produced strong odors and was believed to harm health.
This situation led to early efforts to separate business and residential areas in Charleston. Livestock arrived in South Carolina in the early 1670s from colonies like Virginia and New York. Within ten years, cattle raising and meat processing became important to the local economy, even before crops like rice and cotton…