Orangeburg County was founded as Orangeburg District in 1769. The county and county seat’s namesake was William IV, otherwise known as the Prince of Orange. Notable residents include Tony, Grammy, and Emmy nominee Eartha Kitt.
The lands now known as Orangeburg County were first settled by Swiss and German farmers in the early 18th century, with English settlers from the Lowcountry arriving soon after. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the district became smaller as lands were taken to create the Barnwell and Lexington Districts as well as Aiken and Calhoun counties.
Both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War had an impact on the county. The last battle of the Revolutionary War fought in South Carolina, the battle of Eutaw Springs, occurred in Orangeburg County. Additionally, Sherman’s troops traveled through the county during the Civil War. Orangeburg County also made history as the home of South Carolina’s first railroad junction in 1840. Unfortunately, the county is likely best known for the Orangeburg Massacre, when South Carolina police killed three South Carolina State College students involved in a civil rights demonstration in 1968.
In the 19th century, large cotton plantations began to appear in Orangeburg County, and cotton remains one of the main crops grown in the area. Recently, the economy has experienced growth due to its location between Columbia and the port of Charleston. Record-breaking development has occurred in industry, especially manufacturing, as well as retail.
About Eartha. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.earthakitt.com/eartha/
Economic Development. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.orangeburgchamber.com/
Welcome to Orangeburg County. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.orangeburgcounty.org/
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Coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, from Orangeburg, South Carolina, can easily be regarded as one of the state’s most venerable football coaches. Before taking the reigns as head coach of the South Carolina...
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South Carolina State University alumni Bonniwell Graham, W. Lloyd Walker, and Johnny A. Jones recall where they were on the S.C.S.U. campus when the shooting occurred on February 8, 1968.
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The discussion between Bonniwell Graham, W. Lloyd Walker, and Johnny A. Jones about the Orangeburg Massacre continues.
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The discussion between Bonniwell Graham, W. Lloyd Walker, and Johnny A. Jones about the Orangeburg Massacre continues.
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The discussion between Bonniwell Graham, W. Lloyd Walker, and Johnny A. Jones about the Orangeburg Massacre continues.
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Fifty years have passed since the tragic Orangeburg Massacre occurred at South Carolina State College. With the protests at the All Star Bowling Alley mere days before, no one anticipated the massacre...
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The panel talks about the excessive force used by law enforcement, and why the FBI’s training at the time was deemed "flawed."
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Another one of the students who was present at the night of the shooting was Emma McCain. Dr. McCain was beaten by police officers that night, and now she offers her recollections of that tragic night...
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Dr. Cleveland Sellers, and the panelists go more in depth about the inconsistencies with recollections and eyewitness reports from the night of the incident.
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In this segment, the panelists discuss Cleveland Sellers’ role in the incident. Sellers was the only “agitator” tried and convicted from what happened the night of the shooting. Dr. Sellers also joins...
