Lee

Lee County was founded in 1902 with a combination of lands previously belonging to Kershaw, Sumter, and Darlington counties.

Lee County was founded in 1902 with a combination of lands previously belonging to Kershaw, Sumter, and Darlington counties. The county is named in honor of General Robert E. Lee. Bishopville serves as the county seat.

A number of historic events have taken place in Lee County. One small Revolutionary War battle and two small Civil War battles were fought here. Additionally, the last fatal duel in South Carolina occurred in Lee County.

Throughout its history, Lee County has been known for the large amounts of cotton it produces. In fact, a U.S. Senator from Lee County, Ellison Durant Smith, became known as Cotton Ed due to the efforts he made to help cotton farmers. Another notable local is Dalton Stevens, an artist and musician known as the Button King.

Notable Places. Accessed June 09, 2016.

 

Lee County - Dennis High School
Lee County - Dennis High School

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Constructed in 1936, Dennis was the first high school for African Americans in Lee County, including Bishopville and nearby rural areas. In contrast with the much larger Bishopville High School, which...
Olde English District | A Natural State
Olde English District | A Natural State

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The Olde English District is comprised of the seven counties of Chester , Chesterfield , Fairfield , Kershaw , Lancaster , Union and York . This county was named for the English settlement that was...
Lee County Economic Development | ETV Shorts

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Lee County is located in the Santee Lynches region of South Carolina. The county offers opportunities for business and industry with strategic locations to nearby interstates, all while providing that...
Artists' View Creations | ETV Shorts

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Located in the heart of downtown Bishopville, S.C. is a unique art gallery and picture framing shop called Artists' View Creations. The shop features the artwork of Jerry and Dona Locklair.
Topiary Garden Tour
Episode 5

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One of the oldest sections of Pearl Fryar's garden is anchored around a Christmas tree he replanted in 1982. Success at cultivating the Eastern white pine, a native of the Blue Ridge of South Carolina...
Topiary Garden
Episode 3

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Hedges and trees in Pearl's garden appear to flow and weave into one another, often making it difficult to see where one plant ends and another begins. The effect is created by tying the tips of...
The Land
Episode 11

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After living in New York and Atlanta, Pearl followed his job with a packaging company to rural Bishopville, South Carolina. Though Pearl had no family in the area, he literally "put roots" down after...