Founded in 1733: This Is South Carolina’s Oldest Inland Town
Do you want history? This is South Carolina’s Oldest Inland Town, and plenty of history is here. According to SCIWAY, South Carolina’s Information Highway- Established by a decree from King…
Old covered wagon
Tee Gentry/BMGDo you want history? This is South Carolina's Oldest Inland Town, and plenty of history is here. According to SCIWAY, South Carolina's Information Highway-
Established by a decree from King George II, Camden started as a small backcountry settlement along the banks of the Wateree River – which at the time was about as far west as most Europeans would venture. Arriving in 1758, Joseph Kershaw, the county's namesake, gave the area a boost when he opened a mercantile in what he called "Pine Tree Hill." This fostered trade and lured others to settle in what is now known as the "Olde English District." Camden's advantageous position as a crossroad and trading post afforded it an important role in South Carolina's early history.
The English used Camden as a strategic outpost during the Revolutionary War. Occupying the town for almost a year, the Redcoats built fortifications around Camden, some of which have been recreated at Historic Camden. The Kershaw-Cornwallis House served as headquarters for General Cornwallis and dominates the area with its stately architecture. Following heavy losses in the Battle of Hobkirk Hill (April 25th, 1781), the English finally surrendered their hold on Camden, burning most of the town in their wake.
After the turmoil of Independence, Camden quickly became one of our state's most prosperous towns. The milling and trading of wheat, and later cotton, provided the area with wealth and resources. In 1802, Camden had twice as many homes as Columbia – the state capital. By the 1820s, new locks and canals built along the Wateree River further eased trade with Charleston. Washington Monument architect Robert Mills designed two buildings in town: The Mills Courthouse (1826) and Bethesda Presbyterian Church(1822).
I recently passed through the area and decided to check it out. I stopped by the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site. I took a few pictures and enjoyed my visit. This is a popular stop for school buses full of students on most days because of the area's history. I arrived early, and it wasn't crowded.
It's about an hour and forty-two minutes from Augusta. Here's more info on Camden.
Happy travels!
