South Carolina Visit

Carol and I went to Camden, South Carolina yesterday to see a house that her sister and brother in law are thinking about buying. They wanted us to do a walk through to see if we noticed anything that would cause them major problems. It was interesting to be in Camden again.

This picture is my previous visit to Camden in 1969. I'm the tall youth in second row on the far right. What you don't appreciate when you are young it the history of a place like Camden. We didn't have time to explore or take pictures yesterday but in the future a visit to Camden will require a visit to several parts of town. Today there will just be a bit of Camden history.

Camden is the county seat of Kershaw County South Carolina. The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,838. It is the oldest inland city in South Carolina and the fourth oldest city in the state. It was originally laid out in 1732 as Fredericksburg when King George II ordered eleven inland townships established along South Carolina's rivers. In 1780 Lord Charles Cornwallis and 2,500 of his loyalist troops marched to Camden from Charleston. They established a supply post there for the Southern campaign of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Camden was fought on August 16, 1780 and was the worst defeat of the war for the Americans. The Battle of Hobkirk Hill was fought near Camden on April 25, 1781  between 1,400 American troops led by General Nathanael Greene and 950 British and Loyalists soldiers led by Lord Francis Rawdon. The battle was a costly win for the British and they were forced to retreat to the coast. During the Civil War Camden functioned as a supply point and hospital center. Dr. G.R.C. Todd, brother in law to President Lincoln worked there as a surgeon. Like many South Carolina towns Camden was partially burned by forces led by General Sherman. Starting in the 1880's Camden became a popular destination for wealthy northern families to spend the winter. The town became associated with equestrian activities and is now home to the third oldest polo field in the United States. The Springdale Race Course hosts the Carolina and Colonial Cups each year continuing the town's rich history of horse racing. The downtown has over 60 buildings listed in its National Historic District. In addition two of the buildings in town were designed by architect Robert Mills who designed the Washington Monument. Those buildings are the Mills Courthouse (1826) and the Bethesda Presbyterian Church (1822). A byproduct of the winter visitors and their substantial wealth is the inventory of antebellum homes in the area that retain their original charm and character.

It is clear that a visit is required and plenty of pictures. Stayed tuned we will be visiting again soon.