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Lake
Warren State Park
For schedule of events, call 803-943-5051
Hampton
County Recreation Dept.
For schedule of events, call 803-943-2857 |
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Discover
Hampton County, South Carolina
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| Hampton
County, South Carolina is a unique blend of tradition
and progressive development, successfully blending a growing
and dynamic economy with its peaceful quality of life.
Whether your interest is residential, tourism or business
development, we invite you to visit our historic communities.
Hampton County is surrounded by an incredible quality
of life offering activities for everyone. Enjoy a friendly
hometown atmosphere where individual interests and needs
can be met through a variety of civic, service, social
and special interest organizations. There are opportunities
to enjoy the arts and explore a rich cultural and historical
heritage.
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Hampton
County is a paradise for anyone who loves hunting, fishing,
golfing, beaches and the natural beauty of the great
outdoors. All can be found in Hampton County or enjoyed
on a rewarding day trip.
Hampton County is host to a variety of festivals and
events throughout the year….enjoy annual events
or special events. Mark your calendar and come join
the fun.
Hampton
County is conveniently located approximately 75 miles
west of Charleston, 50 miles north of Savannah, 60 miles
northwest of Hilton Head, 75 miles east of Augusta, 90
miles south of Columbia and 220 miles east of Atlanta.
The county is easily reached via US 301 and I-95. US 321,
278 and 601 cross the county. Come Discover Us! |
| Hampton
County was created on February 18, 1878 by an act of the
South Carolina General Assembly that cut away the northern
portion of Beaufort County creating the 33rd county of
the state's 46 counties. The county was named for statesman
and soldier, General Wade Hampton, III, who was elected
governor of South Carolina in 1876.
Today's
Hampton County was originally mapped as "Indian
Lands." Yamasee and Creek Indians, migrating from
Florida, and others had trading posts, trails, burial
grounds and ceremonial grounds throughout the pinewoods
and swamplands. Numerous Indian names remain: Salkehatchie,
Coosawhatchie, Huspah, Caw Caw and Combahee.
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On
1769 maps, Beaufort District was subdivided into three
parishes: St. Peter's, St. Luke's and Prince William's.
Most of Prince William's Parish is now Hampton County.
Another name for the northern part of Beaufort was Lincoln
County, which eventually became Hampton County.
Hampton
County did not escape the ravages of war, its lands
seeing action in the Yamasee War, Revolutionary War
and Civil War. General William T. Sherman's Union troops
cut a three-pronged swath of destruction through Hampton
County on his march from Savannah to Columbia.
In
1868 the county seat of Beaufort County was relocated
from Gillisonville, near the center, to the Town of
Beaufort. This created greater distances for many of
the county residents to travel in order to conduct county
business, so the State Legislature was petitioned to
allow a new county to be formed, giving birth to Hampton
County.
It
was important to seat the new government in a place
convenient to all. Voters chose the geographic center
of the new county, but when it was surveyed, the center
was found to be a large cypress pond surrounded by swamp.
In a second referendum, Varnville won the county seat
race and commissioners determined the new courthouse
could be situated within two miles of the town that
won the referendum. The center of the courthouse was
placed exactly two miles from the Varnville Depot. The
well-worn brass top of the surveyor's benchmark may
still be seen in the center of the main corridor in
the Hampton County Courthouse. Officially identified
as the Town of Hampton Courthouse, the town was incorporated
December 23, 1879 as Town of Hampton.
In
1912, a strip of Beaufort County and a southwestern
slice of Hampton County were joined to form Jasper County.
In 1919, Hampton County was again reduced in size when
the northernmost tip was cut off and added to a piece
of southern Barnwell County to form Allendale County.
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Hampton
County adopted the council form of government in 1975,
under the South Carolina Home Rule Act. A five member
County Council, employing a professional administrator,
governs the county. Hampton County is included in South
Carolina Senate Districts 39 and 45 and House Districts
120 and 122. The Second Congressional District includes
Hampton County. The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit is comprised
of Hampton, Allendale, Jasper, Beaufort and Colleton
Counties.
The
Hampton County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement
for the county. Towns maintain their own local police
protection. The county provides countywide fire service
to the rural areas. The towns of Estill, Hampton, Varnville
and Yemassee maintain their own fire departments. EMS
personnel serve the emergency medical needs in the county.
A central 911 communications center provides countywide
coverage for EMS, fire and law enforcement coordination.
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Hampton
County has two school districts. Hampton County School
District 1 includes the towns of Brunson, Hampton, Varnville
and Yemassee. Hampton County School District 2 includes
the towns of Estill, Furman, Gifford, Luray and Scotia.
Patrick Henry Academy is an independent, privately owned
school located between Hampton and Estill.
The University of South Carolina has campuses within driving
distance of Hampton County. USC-Salkehatchie has campuses
located in Allendale and Walterboro. USC-Beaufort has
campuses in Beaufort and New River.
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The
Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) is one of
sixteen comprehensive two-year colleges in South Carolina
with a campus in Beaufort and the Mungin Center in Varnville.
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the center of the medical services in Hampton County is
Hampton Regional Medical Center. The hospital provides
extensive diagnostic capabilities using state of the art
technology, a surgical department, a full service laboratory,
physical therapy and 24 hour emergency department. The
community has a number of physicians and specialists as
well as dental, chiropractic and optometric services.
UniHealth Post Acute Care of the Low Country, a long term
care facility, is located in Estill. Coastal Empire Mental
Health Center in Varnville provides mental health services. |
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| The
scenic and natural beauty of Hampton County can be enjoyed
at Lake Warren State Park, Webb Wildlife Center, its forestland
and many rivers, swamps and creeks. Lake Warren State
Park offers a lake for fishing, boat rentals, boat ramp,
fishing pier, playground with picnic shelters, nature
trails, a bird refuge and a community building. Webb Wildlife
Center borders the historic Savannah River and provides
excellent viewing of deer, turkeys, many types of birds,
nature trails and ponds for fishing.
Hampton
County is famous to many sportsmen for its exceptional
hunting and excellent pond, creek and river fishing.
South Carolina has a four and a half month deer season
and Hampton County has one of the largest white tail
deer population in the country. Daily and weekly fee
hunting at overnight lodges and accommodations at large
plantation hunting clubs are available. Wildlife abounds
with ducks, wild turkeys, doves, quail and wild hogs
being popular game. The Savannah River, Coosawhatchie
River, Salkehatchie River and Combahee River offers
fishing, boating, skiing and swimming. Salt and freshwater
sports can be enjoyed nearby.
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Recreation
facilities in the county include parks with picnic facilities
and playgrounds, baseball and softball fields, soccer
fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Hampton
and Varnville sponsor a recreation program with organized
competition for youth in baseball, softball, football
and soccer. The Hampton County Recreation Department
offers a wide selection of activities for all ages.
Penny Branch Club is an 18 hole golf course in Furman.
The Woody Williams Saddle Club offers horsemen a variety
of activities.
Nearby
within easy driving distance are other unique opportunities.
Broxton Bridge Plantation offers a variety of hunting
opportunities, full range of sport shooting, historic
tours of on-site civil war battlegrounds and a campground
for trail ride enthusiasts. Horse camping on Lakeview
Plantation offers the most enjoyable year-round scenario
in the region for leisurely trail riding in South Carolina
on more than 60 miles of trails. The extensive ACE Basin
includes thousands of acres of public lands and a variety
of activities, including hunting, fishing, boating,
bird watching, hiking, bicycling and all types of nature
study. Edisto River Basin located in South Carolina
is the world's longest free-flowing "blackwater"
stream encompassing twelve counties. The peaceful rate
of flow makes it ideal for paddling enthusiasts of all
skill levels. <back to top>
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Hampton
County has developed prime industrial sites and enjoys
a strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard. Located
on I-95 between Charleston and Savannah, Hampton County
offers three industrial parks, all of which have been
certified through the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
Estill Industrial Park is located near Savannah on Highway
321. The Lowcountry Regional Industrial Park offers
over 478 acres in a Foreign Trade Zone. The county's
newest industrial park , Southern Carolina Commerce
Park, is developed jointly through a public/private
partnership with MeadWestvaco. The Park is located 5
miles from I-95 Exit 38.
Hampton County's businesses and industries are an important
part of its economy. The County hosts a diversity of
industry and supports a variety of retail stores and
family owned businesses. In addition to a focus on recruiting
new industries to our area, Hampton County has a proven
commitment to supporting those who are already part
of our local economy.
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Carolina Electric & Gas and Palmetto Electric Cooperative
each provide commercial and residential electric power.
Natural gas is provided by SCE&G. There are several
providers of LPG. High speed internet access is available
through several servers. Telephone service is provided
by CenturyLink in all areas of the county except the Yemassee
and Brunson areas, which are served by Verizon. <back
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Hampton
County is served by Interstate 95, US Highways 278, 60l,
321 and SC Highways 63, 68 and 363. Commercial airline
service is available at four airports located in Charleston
and Columbia, South Carolina plus Savannah and Augusta,
Georgia. Passenger service is provided by Amtrak with
a station located in Yemassee. <back
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Click
to view our interactive map |
Hampton
County Museum
Housed in the former Hampton Jailhouse
building (1878). Contains a collection of Civil War memorabilia,
old general store, military room, farm room and more.
702 First Street, Hampton, SC (803) 943-5484.
Hampton
Museum and Visitors Center
Housed in the former Bank of Hampton
building (1892). Contains military artifacts,
children's room, antique medical equipment, genealogy
research services and cemetery information in Hampton
County. Listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. 99 Elm Street East, Hampton, SC (803) 943-5318
Brunson's
Famous Town Hall
Built in 1906, Ripley's "Believe
It or Not" cited it as the only Town Hall on stilts
in the world. The stilts provided shade and accessibility
for an artesian well beneath the building. Now houses
the Brunson Museum. 800 Railroad Avenue, Brunson, SC
(803) 632-3448
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Estill
Museum
First municipal building in Estill
(1907). Later used as a medical clinic and jail. Features
exhibits on the history of Estill. 44 Third Street, Estill,
SC (803) 625-3803
Libraries
Hampton County Library, 12 Locust
Street, Hampton, SC (803) 943-7528
Estill Public Library, 276 West Third Street, Estill,
SC (803) 625-4650
Hampton Colored School
Built in 1931, the school was the
only educational facility for Hampton's Black children.
The structure is on the South Carolina and National Register
of Historic Places. Holly Street, Hampton, SC (803) 943-2951
Lake
Warren State Park
Located off U. S. 601 South,
this 420 acre park offers a 200 acre lake for fishing
and boating, nature trail, picnic and shelter areas,
boat rentals, and community building. (803) 943-5051
Webb Wildlife Center
Located on Augusta Stagecoach
Road in Garnett, SC offers fishing, hunting, wildlife
observation. (803) 625-3569
Stoney
Creek Chapel
Only pre-Civil War structure
remaining in McPhersonville. Built in 1832 it was
used as a hospital during the Civil War and the
blood stains still remain. Old Pocataligo Road at
McPhersonville.
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Walking
Trails
Walking Trail Town of Hampton
(803) 943-2951
Varnville Historical Walking Trail (803) 943-2979
Estill Nature Walking Trail (803) 625-3243
Lowcountry Revolutionary Trail 800-528-6870
Palmetto Theatre
Art deco design built in 1946
and operated as a movie theatre. Was renovated and
reopened in 1993 for use by the Hampton County Arts
Council as a social center featuring plays, musicals,
concerts. 109 Lee Avenue, Hampton, SC |
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Hampton
County Courthouse
Built in 1878, the same year Hampton
County was formed. The cornerstone was laid by General
Wade Hampton, III. Listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. After renovation, a dedication ceremony
was held February 2009. Highway 278, Hampton, SC (803)
943-5484 <back
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