 |
|
 |
|
Her Namesake
City of Sumter and Sumter County, South Carolina
Sumter County, South Carolina, and its County seat, the City of Sumter, were named for Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter (1734-1832), who was a resident of the area. Sumter County has changed its name and boundaries several times. In 1785, Claremont County was formed as a part of Camden District; a part of the County was later split off in 1791 to form Salem County. Claremont, Clarendon, and Salem counties were combined into Sumter District in 1800. Clarendon was once again split off in 1857, however, and another small part of Sumter County went to form Lee County in 1902. This part of the state began attracting English settlers from the low country and from Virginia in the mid-eighteenth century. The area known as the High Hills of Santee, a narrow ridge along the Wateree River, was famous for its healthy climate and rich soil. Sumter County eventually became a leading agricultural and industrial region. During the Civil War, General Edward Potter's Union troops raided the area, and a skirmish was fought at Dingle's Mill on April 9, 1865. In 1941, Shaw Air Force Base was established near Sumter, and it continues today as an active duty fighter base. Confederate General Richard Heron Anderson (1821-1879) was a Sumter resident, as were opera singer Clara Louise Kellogg (1842-1916) and educator Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955).Located in the heart of South Carolina, Sumter is 44 miles East-southeast of Columbia, 110 miles north of Charleston, South Carolina, and has been called the "...undiscovered jewel of the South."
Check out Our Own Museum!
|
Site developed and hosted by
Coastside Services Last modified 06/03/2008, All rights reserved, Copyright 2007 |
||
 |
 |
|