The Baruch Marine Field Laboratory rests on a 17,500 piece of property known as Hobcaw Barony.  Hobcaw is an Indian word meaning "between the waters."  Shell middens, pottery shards and other artifacts provide evidence that Indians once enjoyed the resources of Hobcaw Barony.

In 1718 John Lord Carteret was given a land grant of 12,000 acres "of the Province of Carolina situated upon Waccamaw River and commonly called Hobcaw point."  Between 1730 and 1860, the property was sold many times and was divided into as many as 11 different rice plantations.  The rice plantations yielded millions of pounds of rice, but the rice plantation industry declined dramatically after the Civil War.

From 1905 to 1907, Bernard Mannes Baruch, a native of Camden, South Carolina, began acquiring the old rice plantations of Hobcaw Barony as his winter retreat and residence.  Mr. Baruch earned his fortunes as a stockbroker in New York and invited many guests to join him at his hunting and fishing lodge.  The list of guests includes many distinguished friends - Sir Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, Jack London, H.G. Wells and many others.  Known as "the Park Bench Statesman," Bernard Baruch was an economic advisor to many presidents from Woodrow Wilson to John F. Kennedy.

Bernard Baruch's daughter, Belle Wilcox Baruch (1899-1964), was one of three children who developed a deep love and commitment to the natural resources of Hobcaw Barony.  Belle purchased portions of the property from her father and built a home known as "Bellefield Plantation".  In 1956, Belle purchased the remainder of the property and shortly thereafter installed the first telephone on Hobcaw Barony.   When she died in 1964, she left the property in a trust to be used "for the purposes of teaching and/or research in forestry, marine biology and the care and propagation of wildlife, flora and fauna in connection with colleges and/or universities in the State of South Carolina."

While Hobcaw Barony is privately owned by The Belle W. Baruch Foundation, the University of South Carolina and Clemson University are currently the educational institutions selected by the Trustees.  Both universities are working with other schools in South Carolina that carry out research and educational programs that contribute to our understanding of coastal ecosystems.  The Belle W. Baruch Foundation maintains a Visitors Center at the entrance to the property.

Dr. James Morris is the current director of the Baruch Institute.  Dr. F. John Vernberg was the founding director in 1969.  As part of the USC College of Science & Math, the Baruch Institute's headquarters are in Columbia, SC on USC's main campus.  Dr. Dennis Allen is the director of the field lab on Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown, SC.