Colleton

Colleton County lies in South Carolina’s Lowcountry and Walterboro serves as its county seat.

Colleton County lies in South Carolina’s Lowcountry and Walterboro serves as its county seat. Sir John Colleton, Colleton County’s namesake, was one of the Lord’s Proprietors.

When the county was first founded in 1682, most residents continued to refer to the area by the names of the parishes within the county rather than by the county name itself. In 1769, these parishes were added to the Charleston District before becoming Colleton District in 1800.

 The county played an important role in United States Revolutionary War history. Not only did the county serve as the setting of several small Revolutionary War battles, the town of Jacksonboro also served as the meeting place of South Carolina’s government during British occupation of Charleston. Rice and cotton plantations became common in the county during this time. However, most of these plantations have been transformed into nature and hunting preserves.

Edwin Nettle's Photos | Digital Tradition
Edwin Nettle's Photos | Digital Tradition

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Wood carver in Walterboro, SC (Colleton County). He decided to take up wood carving after his friend Kirby Evans introduced him to the craft. Interview conducted by Michael Chiarappa.
Charles Lowndes | History of SC Slide Collection
Charles Lowndes | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 88

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Charles Lowndes (1719-1763), born on the British West Indian island of St. Kitts, came to Charleston in 1730. Like many other immigrants from the islands, he became a successful planter, settling in...
William Gibbes | History of SC Slide Collection
William Gibbes | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 59

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William Gibbes (1722-1789) owned extensive properties in several parishes in Colleton County, and was a ship owner and merchant. He was one of three developers who filled in the tip of land on the...
Colleton State Park | Destination: SC Parks

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Colleton State Park is located along the Edisto River. The park is used for river rescue training and visitors are welcome enjoy the river for activities like fishing, kayaking or tubing. Colleton...
Charles Town | Palmetto Special

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A dramatic sequence is included in this wraparound. It is an analogy to the eight Lords Proprietors receiving the grant of Carolina from King Charles II. Five people gather for lunch to discuss a...