McCormick

McCormick County was founded in 1916 due to a combination of lands previously belonging to Abbeville, Greenwood, and Edgefield counties.

McCormick County was founded in 1916 due to a combination of lands previously belonging to Abbeville, Greenwood, and Edgefield counties. It is known for a variety of outdoor attractions including Hickory Knob, Hamilton Branch, and Baker Creek state parks as well as J. Strom Thurmond Lake. McCormick serves as the county seat.

French Huguenot, Scotch-Irish, and German farmers first settled the area in the mid-18th century. These settlers did not get along well with the Cherokee Indians of the region, and after Cherokees killed several residents the British built Fort Charlotte in order to protect them. When the Revolutionary War began, Fort Charlotte was one of the first forts that Americans conquered.

Mining has had a strong impact on the area. Dorn Gold Mine was constructed soon after the discovery of gold in 1850 to mine gold as well as manganese. In 1869, a man named Cyrus McCormick bought the mine. McCormick later gave away land that would become the county seat of McCormick, and the town of McCormick, as well as McCormick County, was named after him in 1882. Although the mine closed in the early 20th century, the town of McCormick still holds the McCormick Gold Rush Festival annually in honor of its mining heritage.

Historic McCormick County. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.mccormickcountysc.org/mccormick_county_history.php

McCormick County Visitors Council. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://mccormickscchamber.org/visitors_council.php?silverheader=3

Highway 81 | From the Sky

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There are over 41,000 miles of road in South Carolina. Like veins in a body’s circulatory system, they connect the busy cities and small towns to each other, each serving a vital role throughout our...

Alberta Gilchrist Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions

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Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcript for: Quilting, Part 1 Early Teaching Quilting, Part 2 Quilting & Sewing, A Family Tradition Quilting, Part 3: Two Of Her Favorite Hymns Quilting, Part 4 Home Remedies

Albert and Nora Wood Audio Transcript

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Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcript for Albert and Nora Wood

Bob Gilchrist Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions

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Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcript fro Bob Gilchrist Owner of Lan’s Deli in McCormick, SC (McCormick County). His mother, Alberta Gilchrist, was also interviewed for this project.

J.R. Wilkie Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions

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Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcripts for J.R. Wilkie

Willie Tennant Audio Transcripts

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Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcripts for Willie Tennant's audio files

Milledge Gilchrist Audio Transcript

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Grades: Higher Education

Blues musician from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Played both guitar and harmonica.

Billy Hammond Audio Transcripts | Digital Traditions

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Grades: Higher Education

The document includes transcripts for Billy Hammond's audio.

Selling Rabbits | Digital Traditions

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John Price, a 4th generation miller talks fondly about selling rabbits as a kid.

Fish Fry | Digital Traditions

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John Price talks about coordinating a fish fry for 125 people during a Labor Day weekend.

Family Reunion | Digital Traditions

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John Price talks about how his family has kept the traditions of family reunions the past 25 years in July.

John Price Audio Transcripts | Digital Traditions

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The document includes transcripts for John Price's audio.

Richard Blackwell Audio Transcripts | Digital Traditions

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The document includes transcripts for Richard Blackwell's audio.

Londonborough Township | South Carolina Public Radio

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“L” is for Londonborough Township. At times referred to as Belfast and Londonderry, the 22,000-acre Londonborough Township was laid out on Hard Labor Creek in 1762. Originally designed to provide a...

Hillsborough Township | South Carolina Public Radio

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Grades: 6 7 8

“H” is for Hillsborough Township. Located on the upper Savannah River in present-day McCormick County, Hillsborough Township was named after Wills Hill, viscount of Hillsborough and president of the...

Ruby Richey & Estelle Rineheart

Episode 1

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Grades: Higher Education

Ruby Richey and Estelle Rineheart discuss how they began quilting.

Deacon Robert E. Nelson Sr, Photos | Digital Traditions

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For the last century, African-American churches in McCormick, Greenwood and Edgefield counties have maintained a fellowship of song through the Springfield Baptist Singing Convention. Led for 25 years...