ABOUT BAYGALL

The community of Baygall is home to one of the most historic streets on the island. From end to end, Beach City Road’s history is rooted in Civil War and Gullah history.

Baygall is perhaps most famously known as the site of Mitchelville, the first self-governing town of formerly enslaved people in the United States.

Baygall is the home of the first three Historic Gullah churches, which are the foundation of the island’s religious traditions established in Mitchelville.

  • It is home to three Historic Gullah churches:

    • The Historic First African Baptist Church was originally established on the Mitchelville Settlement and was the first house of worship for freedmen.

    • Queen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was originally located at the old oak tree still present on the site.

    • Saint James Baptist Church.

  • Drayton Cemetery, plantation tabby ruins, and Fort Howell, which served to protect the Mitchelville Settlement, are located in this community.

  • This community was once known for drum fishing and big game hunting.

  • It was home to the former Hilton Head Blue Jays baseball team. Hilton Head Island native Dan Driessen, a former professional ball player with the Cincinnati Reds, got his start.

 

HISTORIC CHURCHES

 

Athletics on
Hilton Head Island

Baygall is home of Barkers Field, home of former Hilton Head Blue Jays, and notable Baseball Hall of Famer and Cincinnati Reds star, Dan Driessen.

 
 
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 SPORTS

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<b> Barker Field </b>
Barker Field

Located next to Mitchelville Beach is Barker Field, a recreational park complete with an open multi-purpose field as well as three baseball fields. It’s a great place to get a little sunshine if you’re looking to get off the sandy shores and run around.

<b> Dan Driessen </b>
Dan Driessen

Daniel Driessen played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1973 to 1987, most notably as a member of the Cincinnati Reds dynasty that won three National League pennants and two World Series championships between 1973 and 1976.

Hilton Head Blue Jays
Hilton Head Blue Jays

The Hilton Head Blue Jays is the former baseball team that played in the Baygall neighborhood of Hilton Head Island, with Barker Field being their home ground, and where players like Dan Driessen got their start.