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Bamberg County, South Carolina

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Bamberg County, South Carolina


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Contents

History/Timeline

Bamberg County, South Carolina was named for members of the Bamberg Family, who founded the county seat (also named Bamberg, SC). Bamberg county towns formed Bamberg is primarily agricultural and its towns are built along the South Carolina Railroad. The county is primarily agricultural. [1]

1716 Early migration routes to and from Bamberg County for European settlers included Fort Moore-Charleston Trail.[1]
Bamberg County Seal
SlaverySlavery on the Move
1840s -Arrival of Major William Seaborn Bamberg (grandfather George Bamberg was native of Germany). Major was influential, had the town incorporated. The town Bamberg, SC is county seat and named for Major William Seaborn Bamberg.[2]
1852 Five men owned land where the site of the city: G Bamberg, W.S. Bamberg, I.R. Simmons, Owen R. Faust, and Howell Easterlin.[2]
1853 -Major Bamberg, Dr. Raysor, and J. J. Barnes purchased a lot for $75 and gave it to the Methodists for a church site. The lot is the present Restland Cemetery.. Major Bamberg, who died in 1858, is buried in Restland cemetery." (Source: City of Bamberg web site). [2]
mid 1850's towns developed along the South Carolina railroad.[2]
1858 James Goodwin Sr granted his slaves freedom from his plantations, Little Swamp Plantation, Great Swamp Plantation, and Salkehatchie Plantation.[1]
Civil War era The author William Gilmore Simms 1806-1787) plantation owner, Woodlands plantation in Bamberg Co.Woodlands was his refuge for writing, entertaining. Simms felt the middle country was superior to seaboard or the up county. He felt it stimulated a good degree of health. When the Civil War began, during the Civil war he lost his home during the war time when the Federal invaders arrived.[2]
February, 1865, Confederate soldiers fought an unsuccessful skirmish against General Sherman's troops at Rivers Bridge, which is now the site of a state park. [2]
post Civil War - the business community was through work of Thomas and Dr. J. B. Black, the O'Neals, Hartzogs, Johnsons, Rileys, Hayses, Hootons, Wrights, Eveses, Rices, and Crums. [2]
1882 -H. J. Brabham was instrumental in the bridges being built across the Edisto river, at the site of the present Highway 301 bridge.. [2]
BUFORD'S BRIDGE (Historic Community)
August 12, 1891 the editor of the "Bamberg Herald" wrote in an editorial advocating a new county to be formed from the whitening cotton fields of Barnwell and the rich pastures of Colleton, as well as mentioning the magnificent location with a perfect place for a courthouse in a new county in Bamberg, SC [3]
1893 the red brick hotel, called Rice's Hotel, and later Denmark Hotel was built. Location was on the west side of town, across from the depot. It served passengers arriving on the Seaboard Air Line. Denmark's first store was built by J. E. Steadman in the same year.[4]
Bamberg County, South Carolina map.
1897 heralded creation of Bamberg County from part of the old Barnwell District (6 yrs later). It was named for the Bamberg family that founded the town of Bamberg in the Northern section. (South Carolina Postcards, Vol. II, Howard Woody and Thomas L. Johnson).[3]
1897 When Bamberg County was created it had an area of 375 square miles (formerly from Barnwell County[4]
Bamberg county is a Coastal Plain county in the southwest part of the state, which is proud to have 20 types of soil (all great for cotton). Fifteen soils are upland and five soils are lowland.. Bamberg county has characteristics of the upper and lower pine built, with topography of rolling and hilly partly with flat land toward the south. Cotton is the Agriculture Economy crop. Also corn, oats, wheat, peas, yams, sugar cane, asparagus, watermelon, cantaloupes, dewberries and the dreaded tobacco are grown with profit. Two dairies are located in Bamberg, SC, and two located in Denmark, SC. [4]

[4]

Rice's Hotel, Denmark, Bamberg co., SC.

With a nice supportive rainfall of 48 inches distributed throughout the year, this county has the heaviest rains in July and August just when crops would require irrigation if there were no rainfall. Winter temperatures average 64º. Frosts are rare after March 10. These short, mild winters give rise to uninterrupted farming. Barns or other expensive sheds for the livestock is not needed. Snow seldom falls.. Hogs and cattle feed on the pastures. [4]

There are 66 miles of railroads within Bamberg County, the Southern Railway (the historic Charleston & Hamburgh branch) crosses it east and west; the Atlantic Coast Line runs through it northeast and southwest; the Seaboard Air Line's main line from New York to Florida traverses it north to south; the Bamberg, Ehrhardt & Walterboro Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line from Ehrhardt to its main line at Green Pond are other than trunk roads. Other transportation are the state highways crossing north to south and east to west, with county roads. [4]
'

Many beautiful churches of brick and wood, for the religious faiths are here. Rural schools are excellent. The towns of Bamberg, Denmark, Olar and Earhardt all support accredited high schools..

  • Land prices run from $10 an acre upward according to location, fertility and improvements.
Bamberg has a population of 2,210. The military Carlisle School has a plant valued at more than $200,000 and four brick buildings. In the town are a cotton factory, cotton seed oil mills, saw and planing mills, ginneries, two ice plants, and bottling works as well as a water system and electric light plant. Both bonded indebtedness and tax rates are low.[4]
Denmark, (population 1,254) is located as a railroad junction, has the main office of the American Telephone and Telegraph company the Edisto Public Service company (distributing hydroelectric power to 20 towns. This is also connected to the superpower system of the Southeast in Augusta. Its businesses are 2 saw mills, a peanut shelling plant, ice factory, veneering factory, bottling works, Voorhies Industrial and Normal school for African Americans with 681 students, and the town's waterworks. [4]


Ehrhardt (495 population), Govan, (124 population), Midway (150 population0, Olar, (population 500). Bamberg and Ehrhardt have special drainage districts to prevent malaria. The work has been done by the Rockefeller Foundation and the community to wipe out Malaria. [4]
This county is debt-free. Climate and plenty of labor reduced the county tax levied on 7 logging mills is the lowest in the state. Surplus funds are in the county's treasury, yet it still is apace or better than other counties in the road maintenance, schools available and other fields. The forests have an abundance of hard woods, which are shipped out of the county as logs for use in building. Factories as well as logging operations are in Bamberg County. factories as well as logging operations are in Bamberg County.

The forests have an abundance of hard woods, which are shipped out of the county as logs for use in building. factories as well as logging operations are in Bamberg County. [4]

Bamberg County and its county seat, Bamberg, were named for local resident William Seaborn Bamberg (1820-1858) and other members of the Bamberg family. [3]
mid to later 19th century This area depends on cotton culture as it is chiefly agriculture in economics.. Several towns had developed along the route of the South Carolina Railroad.[3]
Probably the oldest community of Bamberg County, the community got its name from Major William Buford's bridge over the Salkehatchie.[2]
after 1895 - Bamberg county was formed from the Eastern part of Barnwell County following the adoption of the 1895 South Carolina Constitution directing the state with process for creating new counties. [5]
Jan 19, 1897 - An election was held for the creation of Bamberg County. At this time the name Bamberg was selected named for resident, William Seaborn Bamberg (1820-1858). A nice courthouse was built. [6]
Probably the oldest community of Bamberg County, the community got its name from Major William Buford's bridge over the Salkehatchie River.
1897To fund the county Seat the Bamberg citizens raised 10,0000 in bonds, used penitentiary labor to build the 1897 courthouse. [2]
1892-1969 Bamberg Cotton Mill was principal to Bamberg's well-being. The building was operated for the last 20 year, known as the Bamberg Textile Mills. It was demolished in 1997.[2]
Gen. Francis Marion's Bamberg House
Bamberg County and the County Seat were named for resident William Seaborn Bamberg (1820-1858) and other members of his family.[2] http://www.bambergcountysc.gov/History-of-Bamberg-County


Pre-1897Originally Bamberg area was part of Barnwell Co., up to 1897, when new county established. County lies in SW part of SC, in the upper and middle Coastal Plain. Size 252,800 acres (395 sq. mi.’’ Area was primarily agricultural, several towns developed along route of the SC Railroad in mid 1850s.[2]
1897 the county courthouse had a place of prominence, overlooking North Main Street. When Hwy 301 was built to begin at Bridge St, and run straight through Main Street. The highway incorporated and adsorbed the Eastern side of the courthouse grounds into the highway. Result was one side of the courthouse was left on the road, with no grounds between the roadway and the courthouse building.. The curve around the building was judged to be dangerous and the highway noise bothered the courtroom proceedings. At the turn of century, the county courthouse resided in a place of prominence at the base and overlooking North Main Street. The curve around building was dangerous. Plus the noise from the increased traffic interferred with audibility of court proceedings. [2]
The Highway Department advised the county to move the building across the highway on a portions of the grounds of the Mayflower Inn. After 53 years of use, the building was additionally antiquated, in need of enlarging and/remodeling.[2]



1897 - Bamberg was created from Barnwell County.[1]
1919 - Bamberg gained land from Colleton County.[1]
1920 - Bamberg gained land again from Colleton County.[1]
Murdock House.

Plantations

  • The plantation of author William Gilmore Simms (1806-1870) was in what is now Bamberg County
  • Broxton Bridge - Ehrhardt
James Goodwin Sr. purchased the first slave, and named him Issac. Goodwin then bought a wife for Issac named Sophia. Issac and Sophia took the surname Goodwin. The slaves worked all three of Goodwin's plantations, Little Swamp Plantation, Great Swamp Plantation, and Salkehatchie Plantation.
1858 James Goodwin Sr granted his slaves freedom

Government Offices

Courthouse, 1897

1897 Courthouse.


Current Courthouse, 1950 Cause to be built, a highway absorbed its grounds, and it was 53 years old.

Current courthouse.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 396 square miles (1,030 km2)

393 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) is water
County lies in SW part of SC, in the upper and middle Coastal Plain.
Size 252,800 acres (395 sq. mi.’’
Primarily agricultural, several towns developed along route of the SC Railroad in mid 1850s
It is the fourth-smallest county in South Carolina by land area and third-smallest by total area.
20 types of soil, 15 upland and five lowland.
Topography -upper and lower pine belt, is rolling and hilly in parts and flat to the south
Coastal Plain county in the southwest part of the state
Soil -20 types of soil (all great for cotton). Fifteen soils are upland and five soils are lowland..
Forests -upper and lower pine beilt,
Rainfall of 48 inches distributed throughout the year, is the heaviest in July and August just when crops would require irrigation if there were no rainfall.
Winter temperatures average 64º. Frosts are rare after March 10. These short, mild winters give rise to uninterrupted farming.
Rivers:
1) The Edisto
2) Little Salkehatchie
3) Great Salkehatchie rivers
Lemon Creek. These flow in parallel southeast down toward the coastline and provide drainage for the county.
Edisto perch, trout and jack are found in Bamberg County. The county has a plentiful stock of game. [4]
Agriculture - Cotton is principal crop with corn, oats, wheat, peas, yams, sugar cane, asparagus, watermelon, cantaloupes, dewberries and the dreaded tobacco are grown with profit. Two dairies are located in Bamberg, SC, and two located in Denmark, SC. [4]

Adjacent counties

  • Orangeburg County - north
  • Dorchester County - east
  • Colleton County - southeast
  • Hampton County - south
  • Allendale County - southwest
  • Barnwell County - west

Demographics

In 2000, there were 16,658 people residing in the county with a population density of 42 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 36.47% White, 62.50% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic. The median income for a household in the county was $24,007, and the median income for a family was $29,360. The per capita income for the county was $12,584. About 23.90% of families and 27.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 87.00% of those under age 18 and .80% of those age 65 or over. By 2010, there were 15,987 people, residing in the county with a population density of 40.6 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 61.5% black or African American, 36.1% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 5.1% were American, and 5.0% were German.[7]


  • The population was 20,962 in 1920, estimated 22,334 in 1925, of whom less than 50 are foreign born.

Highways:

  • US 21
  • US 78
  • US 301
  • US 321
  • US 60
  • There are 66 miles of railroads within Bamberg County, the Southern Railway (the historic Charleston & Hamburgh branch) crosses it east and west; the Atlantic Coast Line runs through it northeast and southwest; the Seaboard Air Line's main line from New York to Florida traverses it north to south; the Bamberg, Ehrhardt & Walterboro Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line from Ehrhardt to its main line at Green Pond are other than trunk roads. Other transportation are the state highways crossing north to south and east to west, with county roads. [4]

Many beautiful churches of brick and wood, for the religious faiths are here. Rural schools are excellent. The towns of Bamberg, Denmark, Olar and Earhardt all support accredited high schools..

  • Land prices run from $10 an acre upward according to location, fertility and improvements.

Schools

  • Bamberg County School District 1 - Bamberg, Ehrhardt
  • Bamberg County School District 2 - Denmark, Olar

Cities


County Resources

  • Carlisle School

Census

1900 --- 17,296 —
1910 --- 18,544 7.2%
1920 --- 20,962 13.0%
1930 --- 19,410 −7.4%
1940 --- 18,643 −4.0%
1950 --- 17,533 −6.0%
1960 --- 16,274 −7.2%
1970 --- 15,950 −2.0%
1980 --- 18,118 13.6%
1990 --- 16,902 −6.7%
2000 --- 16,658 −1.4%
2010 --- 15,987 −4.0%
Est. 2016 --- 14,434

Cemeteries




Notables
  • Jim Harrison, artist is also a native of the county

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Bamberg_County,_South_Carolina_Genealogy
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 http://www.bambergcountysc.gov/History-of-Bamberg-County
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.oldplaces.org/bamberg/
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/bamberg_county_sc.html
  5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_County,_South_Carolina
  6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_County,_South_Carolina
  7. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_County,_South_Carolina




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Durbin-702 Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Hi Mary, could you please update the category for Felder-Zeigler Cemetery to [[Category:Felder-Zeigler Cemetery, Bamberg, South Carolina]]

Thanks, Natalie

posted by Natalie (Durbin) Trott

Categories: Bamberg County, South Carolina | South Carolina Projects