THE HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD COUNTY

PUTTING CHEVYS IN DRIVEWAYS SINCE 1953

650 AUGUSTA ROAD EDGEFIELD, SC (803) 279-7060

Mary H. Derrick, Broker Serving the Area for Over 30 Years (803) 275-4090 derrickrealty.com

DERRICK INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Scott Derrick, Agent Serving the Area for Over 50 Years 530 Calhoun Street, Johnston, SC (803) 275-3238

Edgefield County THE HISTORY OF

Edgefield County consists of three small towns, Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton. The town of Edgefield, filled with grand antebellum homes, is steeped in rich history, while Johnston, with its charming Victorian architecture, is a peach lover’s heaven, as the area produces the vast majority of the best tasting peaches in the United States. Trenton is a small bedroom community of wide verandas where neighbors still gather for afternoon tea and lemonade.

Edgefield The town of Edgefield was founded in 1785 and emerged in the early 1800s as a thriving trade center for surrounding farms. Much of the town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The town square is filled with reminders of Edgefield’s unique and diverse heritage. There is a monument to Edgefield’s ten South Carolina governors and five lieutenant governors and a life-size bronze statue of native son, Sen. Strom Thurmond, stands in the square facing the courthouse. The tall obelisk in the center of the square was erected in 1900 to Edgefield’s Confederate dead by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The present brick courthouse was constructed in 1839, by architect, Charles Beck, who was an associate of Robert Mills, the best-known architect of antebellum South Carolina. A recent biographer says that although Mills’ did not design the Edgefield County Courthouse, it is one of the best examples of Mills’ style. The Edgefield Advertiser, South Carolina’s oldest continuing newspaper, is also located on the town square. It has been in existence since 1836.

Just off the square is Old Edgefield Pottery—half museum and half working studio. Master Potter Justin Guy reproduces the alkalineglazed pottery originally created in Edgefield County in circa 1805. The Edgefield Village Blacksmith is just off the square as well. The blacksmith building, erected in circa 1912, has been restored and put back into operation by Jake and Amy Jacobsen. Carpenter’s Stand, on Main Street, is the workshop of Master Woodcarver Ike Carpenter. Demonstrations and lectures by these artisans on their traditions and techniques are available.

Johnston Located in the rolling hills of west central South Carolina, Johnston was founded in 1870 when the first railroad came through, and charted as the Town of Johnston on May 25, 1897. The town’s business district combines contemporary convenience with turn-of-the century charm. Gracious Southern homes and businesses add to its charm. Calhoun Street in Johnston provides the small town atmosphere that many Americans consider the South. The peach industry has been a major contributor to Johnston’s economy. The town carries the title “Peach Capital of the World.” Located on the fringe of three urban areas, Johnston combines country quiet and neighborliness with access to city services. The people of Johnston are friendly, industrious and plain spoken. They worship at numerous churches and their children attend award–winning public and private schools. Johnston is a town that combines the economic strength of world-wide industry with the solidarity of an agricultural center of international recognition.

Trenton The coming of the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad also saw the establishment of the town of Trenton in the late 1860s. The area has been long known as the Pine House community, a name derived from the “Piney Woods Tavern” or Pine House,” which was a stagecoach way-station located nearby. It was here at the Pine House that President George Washington dined in 1791, during his trip from Augusta to Columbia. Today, a marker stands near the intersection of S. C. Highways 121, 19, and 25 memorializing his visit. James Monroe Wise is thought to be the founder of Trenton, as he built the first store and residence in 1870 and was instrumental in developing the village. In 1877, a town charter was issued in the name of Trenton, and the name of the post office was changed from Pine House to Trenton the next year. An historic building donated to the town by the Wise family has been converted into what was formally known as the Trenton Library and Visitors Center. Residents of Trenton enjoy their small-way of life and feel a strong obligation to preserve it for future generations.

A Peach of a Place TOWN OF JOHNSTON

500 Mims Avenue Johnston, SC 29832 (803) 275-2488

VISIT THE Town of Trenton Where friends and neighbors are more like family and a visit will make you want to stay for a lifetime.

106 Church Street Trenton, SC (803) 275-2538 ttrenton@comcast.net