As work continues on Liberty County’s park at Jones Creek, it will have a new name once it is completed.

County commissioners approved renaming the park the Susie King Taylor Freedom Park at Jones Creek, in honor of the woman who escaped from slavery not far from the park and taught others to read and write.

Members of the Liberty County Historical Society asked commissioners to officially rename the park and to rename the Hinesville bypass to Independence Parkway. Commissioners also acceded to that request and passes a resolution to rename the bypass.

“We have a responsibility to preserve and accurately present the history and legacy of this county that was founded on liberty, independence and freedom,” said Rose Mullice of the Liberty County Historical Society.

Taylor learned to read and write at a “bucket” school and after she escaped slavery on the Isle of Wight in 1862, she made her way to the Union lines on St. Simons Island. She became the first Black teacher to openly teach former slaves.

Later, she married a member of the first all-Black U.S. Army regiment. Along with serving as a nurse and a laundress, she taught soldiers in the outfit how to read and write.

After the Civil War, Taylor became the only Black woman to have a memoir of her war experiences published, “Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33rd United States Colored Troops, Late 1st S.C. Volunteers.”