City of Loris honored with Hungry for History chicken bog marker

By SAMANTHA BOYD

Last Thursday, Feb. 9th, Horry County Historic Preservation Commission Chair, Susan Platt presented chicken bog marker to the City of Loris during a ceremony held at the Loris Library.

Platt recounted the history of what chicken bog is and how it became such a historic tradition in Loris and surrounding areas saying, “anything over 50 years old can be considered historic and since chicken bog has been around a lot longer than I have been alive, it qualifies. It’s just a part of our culture.”

Donated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation out of Syracuse, NY. the marker reads, “Chicken Bog one-pot dish made with rice, chicken & sausage, fed crowds by 1920’s. Traditionally eaten after gathering tobacco in northeast South Carolina.”

To receive the grant for the marker the commission had to explain why chicken bog was historic and while searching for proof of chicken bog being a tradition for over 50 years, an article was discovered in the Dillon Harold from 1920 where they used chicken bog for a fundraiser at a local school and for over 17 years it has been covered in other local newspapers for functions such as, school fundraising, church socials, tobacco markets and even served at the Garden Club.

A crowd of people gathered to see the unveiling of the marker placed by the sidewalk in front of the library. Singleton Bailey, owner of the Loris Drug Store, was asked to help with the unveiling of the marker. Since Bailey was the one with the idea 43 years ago of starting a chicken bog competition. Now known to the towns people as the Chicken-Bog Festival held annually during the month of October.

Tracey Elvis-Weitzel, director of libraries, thanked the Loris public works department for placing the marker in the ground prior to the event.

Mayor Harrelson was also thanked for choosing the location for the sign, and Loris Chamber of Commerce executive director Samantha Ward Norris was also praised for her help gathering and sharing information. It’s no doubt that chicken bog is a staple to this community, and now with this marker the city of Loris and its residents can celebrate one of the reasons this city is so special.