McCormick is known to have the second richest vein of gold in South Carolina. Joanna Angle discusses the early history of McCormick; origins going as far back as Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s search for gold. Three hundred years later, William B. Dorn would accidentally stumble across a vast wealth of gold. Billy Dorn became very wealthy, and when he sold his property to Cyrus H. McCormick in 1871, the plot of land was divided into lots and auctioned off. These lots would become known as the town of McCormick.
Railroad travelers passing through McCormick stayed at one of three hotels, however only two remain standing today. The Keturah, built in 1910, stayed in operation until closing in the 1960’s. Since 1985, the Keturah hotel today serves as a meeting place and cultural center, being the home of the McCormick Arts Council. Patti McAbee joins to discuss the history of the Keturah Hotel, along with its sister hotel, the Fannie Kates Country Inn, and the McCormick Arts Council. The Fannie Kates Inn, which dates back to 1884, is presently a bed-and-breakfast inn.
Standards
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into founding principles as viewed through this period of federal government involvement, the development and realignment of a new labor system not based on a system of slavery, and the significant political realignment of the South.
- This indicator was designed to promote inquiry into military and economic policies during World War II, to include the significance of military bases in South Carolina. This indicator was also developed to foster inquiry into postwar economic developments and demographic changes, to include the immigration of Jewish refugees following the Holocaust.
