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.

 

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Roadside Attractions | From the Sky
Roadside Attractions | From the Sky

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this episode of From the Sky we uncover the history and facts behind some of South Carolina's most iconic attractions. Learn about the Peachoid in Gaffney, SC, a giant peach-shaped water tower that...
Black River | South Carolina Public Radio
Black River | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

“B” is for Black River. The Black River takes its name from its tea-colored waters. The river begins in the Sandhills of Lee County, and is joined at Rocky Bluff Swamp near Sumter. The Pocotaligo...
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 2 | NatureScene 2
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 2 | NatureScene
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

On this stop the hosts see more butterfly pea flowers. Watch the video to find out what animal tracks were seen. Learn about the structure of a turtle's shell.
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 4 | NatureScene 4
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 4 | NatureScene
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

This stop is considered floodplain. The hosts makes note of how the river flowed into this area carrying sand and also the height of the water. Native Americans used places like the Lynches river to...
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 3 | NatureScene 3
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 3 | NatureScene
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The hosts come across some very large mosquitoes. Mosquitoes love standing water. It's the female mosquito that takes blood from us. There are flowers that grow along this stop like sweetgum, red...
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 5 | NatureScene 5
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 5 | NatureScene
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The host visit an artesian well at this stop. There are many primitive plants that thrive near this source of water. Learn about muscadines and how they're formed. On this last stop the host see a...
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 1 | NatureScene 1
Lee State Park (S.C.) Stop 1 | NatureScene
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Lee State Park is located in Lee County, around the Lynches River. Some of the items found along this stop include a butterfly pea flower, the eastern tailed blue butterfly and a tail feather of the...
Lee County - Dennis High School
Lee County - Dennis High School

Photo

Grades: 5 8 11

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

Photo

Grades: 6 7 8

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 founded...
Lee County Economic Development | ETV Shorts
Lee County Economic Development | ETV Shorts

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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
Artists' View Creations | ETV Shorts

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 5
Topiary Garden Tour
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 3
Topiary Garden
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 11
The Land
Episode 11

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...