BlockBefore

Dorchester County, South Carolina

78 topographic sheets and 8 fire insurance atlases across 2 places.

Research this county

From the record

10 National Register listings published here, 1 of them a National Historic Landmark.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

South Carolina within the United States
Dorchester County within South Carolina

What the record shows

  • 2 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Summerville, Saint George, between 1895 and 1944.
  • 8 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 2,423 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 10 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 4 buildings, 4 districts and 2 sites.
  • 6 of the 10 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 133 populated places in this county; 133 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

43 photographs, 1938 to 1939

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Old home near Summerville, South Carolina
Old home near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
One of the finer homes. Summerville, South Carolina
One of the finer homes. Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Graveyard in rear of church near Summerville, South Carolina
Graveyard in rear of church near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
One of the finer homes. Summerville, South Carolina
One of the finer homes. Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Cypress swamp near Summerville, South Carolina
Cypress swamp near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Graveyard in rear of church. Summerville, South Carolina
Graveyard in rear of church. Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Graveyard in rear of church near Summerville, South Carolina
Graveyard in rear of church near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Advertising Bromo-Quinine used in South for malaria and other "remedies" on side of old shack near Summerville, South Carolina
Advertising Bromo-Quinine used in South for malaria and other "remedies" on side of old shack near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Old home near Summerville, South Carolina
Old home near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Negro shack near Summerville, South Carolina
Negro shack near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Servant quarters, Summerville, South Carolina, in rear of home
Servant quarters, Summerville, South Carolina, in rear of home
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Home of Indian family (brass ankles, mixed breed) near Summerville, South Carolina, with sorghum cane grinder in foreground
Home of Indian family (brass ankles, mixed breed) near Summerville, South Carolina, with sorghum cane grinder in foreground
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1939. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Servant quarters, Summerville, South Carolina, in rear of home
Servant quarters, Summerville, South Carolina, in rear of home
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Graveyard in rear of church. Summerville, South Carolina
Graveyard in rear of church. Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Negro homes near Summerville, South Carolina
Negro homes near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Grinding mill for sorghum cane made by Indian family near Summerville, South Carolina
Grinding mill for sorghum cane made by Indian family near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Negro home near Summerville, South Carolina
Negro home near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Typical highway near Summerville, South Carolina, with heavy hanging Spanish moss
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Middleton Place, Ashley River vic., Dorchester County, South Carolina
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1938. Library of Congress
White family's home near Summerville, South Carolina
White family's home near Summerville, South Carolina
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1938. Library of Congress
Indian Fields Methodist Campground, SC Route 73, .7 mile from SC Route 15, Saint George, Dorchester County, SC
Indian Fields Methodist Campground, SC Route 73, .7 mile from SC Route 15, Saint George, Dorchester County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Middleton Place Culvert, 4300 Ashley River Road, Knightsville, Dorchester County, SC
Middleton Place Culvert, 4300 Ashley River Road, Knightsville, Dorchester County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Fort Dorchester, Dorchester Creek Junction, Summerville, Dorchester County, SC
Fort Dorchester, Dorchester Creek Junction, Summerville, Dorchester County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

10

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Appleby's Methodist Churchbuilding197878002505
Carroll Placebuilding197474001849
Cypress Methodist Camp Groundbuilding197878002504
Indian Fields Methodist Campgrounddistrict197373001707
Middleton Placedistrict197171000770
Old Dorchestersite196969000165
Old White Meeting House Ruins and Cemeterysite200597000445
St. George Rosenwald Schoolbuilding2018100003000
St. Paul Camp Grounddistrict199898000424
Summerville Historic Districtdistrict197676001701

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

1

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1900 - Map of Dorchester County, South Carolina : made and created by an Act of the Legislature of So. Ca. Feb'y 25th 1897, from portions of Colleton and Berkeley counties
Land ownership map (1900) - Map of Dorchester County, South Carolina : made and created by an Act of the Legislature of So. Ca. Feb'y 25th 1897, from portions of Colleton and Berkeley counties. Library of Congress.

Photographs from libraries nationwide

15 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 15 image records catalogued for this county. Every one shown here carries a public-domain status or a licence that permits reuse on a site that carries advertising; non-commercial, share-alike and restricted images are excluded. The selection is spread across the county's towns (at most eight per town), so no single institution's bulk upload crowds out the rest. Each opens the holding library's record, and the complete set at the Digital Public Library of America is one click away.

Hotel Palms, on U.S. 15 - 15A, St. George, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Hotel Palms, on U.S. 15 - 15A, St. George, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
The Carolina Inn, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
The Carolina Inn, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Driveway to the Postern, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Driveway to the Postern, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Residence of F. P. Prettyman, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Residence of F. P. Prettyman, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
White Gables, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
White Gables, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Spring blossoms in City Park, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Spring blossoms in City Park, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
The Presbyterian Church, Summerville, South Carolina, Boston Public Library - undated
The Presbyterian Church, Summerville, South Carolina. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Hotel Palms, on U.S. 15 - 15A, St. George, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Hotel Palms, on U.S. 15 - 15A, St. George, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Adventure School, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Adventure School, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Squirrel Inn, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Squirrel Inn, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Wisteria at Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Wisteria at Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Star Light Motel, U.S. 15, U.S. 15A, St. George, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
Star Light Motel, U.S. 15, U.S. 15A, St. George, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
The flower town in the pines, Municipal Park, Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
The flower town in the pines, Municipal Park, Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
One of the many beauty spots in Summerville, S. C., Boston Public Library - undated
One of the many beauty spots in Summerville, S. C.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.

The county from the air

42 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 3,179 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 42 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1957-03-10, scale 1:24000
1957-03-10, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1957-03-10, scale 1:24000
1957-03-10, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1957-03-10, scale 1:24000
1957-03-10, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1957-03-10, scale 1:24000
1957-03-10, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-09-14, scale 1:53456
1960-09-14, scale 1:53456. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-09-14, scale 1:53456
1960-09-14, scale 1:53456. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-09-14, scale 1:53456
1960-09-14, scale 1:53456. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-10-01, scale 1:60000
1961-10-01, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-10-01, scale 1:60000
1961-10-01, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-10-01, scale 1:60000
1961-10-01, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-10-01, scale 1:60000
1961-10-01, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-09-01, scale 1:30000
1964-09-01, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-09-01, scale 1:30000
1964-09-01, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-09-23, scale 1:30000
1964-09-23, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-09-23, scale 1:30000
1964-09-23, scale 1:30000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-04-25, scale 1:40000
1968-04-25, scale 1:40000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-04-25, scale 1:40000
1968-04-25, scale 1:40000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-04-25, scale 1:40000
1968-04-25, scale 1:40000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-04-25, scale 1:40000
1968-04-25, scale 1:40000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-12-27, scale 1:24000
1971-12-27, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-12-27, scale 1:24000
1971-12-27, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-12-27, scale 1:24000
1971-12-27, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-12-27, scale 1:24000
1971-12-27, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-02-06, scale 1:20500
1972-02-06, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-02-06, scale 1:20500
1972-02-06, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-02-06, scale 1:20500
1972-02-06, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-02-06, scale 1:20500
1972-02-06, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:20500
1974-04-01, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:20500
1974-04-01, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:20500
1974-04-01, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:20500
1974-04-01, scale 1:20500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1977-03-01, scale 1:80000
1977-03-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1977-03-01, scale 1:80000
1977-03-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1977-03-01, scale 1:80000
1977-03-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2007-02-27, scale 1:21600
2007-02-27, scale 1:21600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2007-02-27, scale 1:21600
2007-02-27, scale 1:21600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2007-02-27, scale 1:21600
2007-02-27, scale 1:21600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2007-02-27, scale 1:21600
2007-02-27, scale 1:21600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

50 stations, 6 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

30 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 18-1Burns township: Ridgeville town
  • 18-2Burns township - That part north, northeast, and east of State Hwy. 65, outside Ridgeville town
  • 18-3Burns township - That part south, southwest, and west of State Hwy. 65
  • 18-4Harleyville town, comprising parts of Carns and Givhans townships: Harleyville town - That part in Carns township
  • 18-5Harleyville town - That part in Givhans township
  • 18-6Carns township, outside Harleyville town: Carns township - That part north and east of State Hw. 152, and east of U.S. Hwy. 15, outside Harleyville town township is in Harleyville town)
  • 18-7Carns township - That part south and west of State Hwy. 152, and west of U.S. Hwy. 15, outside Harleyville town (Remainder of Carns township is in Harleyville town)
  • 18-8Collins township
  • 18-9Dorchester township: Summerville town: Summerville town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Town limits; Southern Railway; Blackjack
  • 18-10Summerville town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Blackjack; Southern Railway; Hickory
  • 18-11Summerville town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Hickory; Southern Railway; Town limits
  • 18-12Summerville town - That part Bounded by Southern Railway; Blackjack; Central Ave., Carolina Ave., Richardson Ave.; Town limits
  • 18-13Summerville town - That part Bounded by Richardson Ave.; Carolina Ave., Marion Ave.; Town limits; Town limits
  • 18-14Summerville town - That part Bounded by Central Ave., Blackjack, Southern Railway; Main; Carolina Ave.
  • 18-15Summerville town - That part Bounded by Southern Railway; Town limits; Town limits; Marion Ave., Carolina Ave., Main
  • 18-16Pinehurst-Sheppard Park, unincorporated Bounded by Northeasterly line from junction of two Unnamed roads to junction of U.S. Hwy. 78 and Railroad Ave., U.S. Hwy. 78, Unnamed road, Unnamed road; Summerville town limits; Offset 1/2 mile south of and parallel to State Hwy. 64, Unnamed road, Unnamed road; Unnamed road, Unnamed road, Unnamed road, State Hwy. 611, northwesterly line from junction of State Hwy. 61 and State Hwy. 611 to junction of two Unnamed roads
  • 18-17Dorchester township - That part north and northwest of State Hwy. 64, outside Summerville town and Pinehurst-Sheppard Park, unincorporated (See separate map for boundaries of Area west of Summerville)
  • 18-18N/A
  • 18-19George township: St. George town: St. George town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Town limits; U.S. Hwy. 78, Society, U.S. Hwy. 78; Town limits
  • 18-20St. George town - That part Bounded by U.S. Hwy. 78, Society, U.S. Hwy. 78; Town limits; Southern Railway; Town limits
  • 18-21St. George town - That part Bounded by Southern Railway; Town limits; Town limits; Town limits
  • 18-22George township - That part north of Southern Railway, and east of St. George - Orangeburg Rd., outside St. George town
  • 18-23George township - That part north of Southern Railway and west of St. George - Orangeburg Rd., outside St. George town
  • 18-24George township - That part southwest of Southern Railway, outside St. George town
  • 18-25Givhans township, outside Harleyville town: Givhans township - That part northeast of Southern Railway, outside Harleyville town
  • 18-26Givhans township - That part southwest of Southern Railway (Remainder of Givhans township is in Harleyville town)
  • 18-27Koger township: Reevesville town
  • 18-28Koger township - That part east of U.S. Hwy. 15
  • 18-29Koger township - That part south and east of State Hwy. 204, west of U.S. Hwy. 15 and east of Cattle Creek, outside Reevesville town
  • 18-30Koger township - That part north and west of State town Hwy. 204, west of Cattle Creek, Reevesville town

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

2,000 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 2,000 of them, burning about 15,582 acres. 21 started naturally and 413 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined702
Debris and open burning691
Arson/incendiarism413
Misuse of fire by a minor88
Equipment and vehicle use52
Natural21
Smoking17
Power generation/transmission/distribution9
Other causes3
Railroad operations and maintenance2
Fireworks1
Recreation and ceremony1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
24 March 2011Debris and open burning1,247 acresSouth Carolina Forestry CommissionSANDRIDGE
26 October 2001Equipment and vehicle use549 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
21 March 1995Missing data/not specified/undetermined460 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
9 March 2010Debris and open burning437 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
9 March 1993Missing data/not specified/undetermined349 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
7 March 2005Debris and open burning259 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
14 February 1996Missing data/not specified/undetermined185 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
18 April 2010Debris and open burning175 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1955 to 2025

60 of 804 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 804 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 15 injuries and about $10,990,200 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind501
Hail185
Flash Flood62
Tornado22
Lightning19
Flood8
Funnel Cloud5
Heavy Rain2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 1995Thunderstorm WindSummerville4 hurt, $50,000Winds near 70mph (estimated by WSO Charleston Meteorologist In Charge)
May 1974Tornado (F1)not stated2 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
May 1976Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
June 1983Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
July 2006Thunderstorm WindHarleyville1 hurt, $10,000Camper trailer blown over on 7 mile road.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindGivhans1 hurtDorchester County Emergency Management reported a tree fell on a vehicle near the 700 block of Highway 61, causing a minor injury.
August 2007LightningSummerville1 hurtA Summerville man was struck by lightning while walking back from his mailbox. The man said that it felt like someone had whupped him, but didn't remember getting struck by lightning. Other than feeling sore, everything checked out fine.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindSummerville1 hurtCamper trailer overturned. One minor injury.
July 1997LightningSt George1 hurtA woman was struck by lightning.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindSummerville1 hurtThunderstorm winds blew down trees, downed power lines, and caused considerable minor damage. There were several small fires started when limbs fell on power lines. One injury occurred when a tree crushed the roof of a car near Ridgeville.
June 1996LightningSummerville1 hurtno account filed
October 2015Flash FloodSummerville Meml Arp$3,093,450Law enforcement, media and social media posts indicated widespread flooding around Summerville and Wescott Plantation. Roads closed included Orangeburg Road at the intersection of Greenwave Boulevard, Ashley River Road at the intersection of Bacons Bridge Road and Wescott Boulevard between Ballantine Drive and Patriot Boulevard. The Dorchester SPCA building was also flooded with dogs standing in water inside their kennels. Dogs and other animals were being moved to safe locations. An off duty NWS employee also reported a tree down along South Main Street with damage to a structure and a vehicle.
October 2015Flash FloodSummerville$3,093,450An emergency manager for Dorchester County reported widespread flooding around Summerville, Ladson and Wescott Plantation. Widespread road closures, damage to homes and water rescues were made. Roads closed due to flooding included the 100 and 300 block of Dorchester Manor Boulevard, the 400 block of Trade Street, Hodge Road between Deming Way and Short Street, Azalea Drive near the intersection with OT Wallace Drive, Parson Road, Dorchester Road at the intersection with Sawmill Branch Creek, Mallard Road between Hill Street and the Habitat for Humanity, West Butternut Road, the 200 block of Lawrence Drive, Aberdeen Circle, Arbors Oak Drive, Renau Boulevard near the intersection with Industrial Road, Stratton Drive, Green Wave Boulevard, Old Trolley Road from Miles Jamison Road to Dorchester Road and Orangeburg Road at the intersection with Mallard Road. ||Eagle Creek was also overflowing its banks and flooding multiple residences in Summerwood and Tranquil Estates. Water backed up a drainage canal, resulting in waist deep water in the middle of Arbor Oaks Drive. Approximately 2 feet of water was in 40 to 50 homes along Arbor Oaks Drive. Around 100 people were rescued from flooded areas along Old Trolley Road, Ladson Road and Miles Jamison Road.
September 2017Flash FloodSlandsville$500,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that water entered at least 31 homes due to flash flooding along Eagle Creek. This included homes on Tranquil Lane and Harrison Road in the Tranquil Acres/Estates neighborhood, as well as homes in the Summerwood subdivision off of Ladson Road. Of the 31 impacted structures, 18 had 12 inches or less of water, 10 had between 13 and 23 inches of water, and 3 had between 24 and 35 inches of water inside.
March 2008Tornado (EF1)Ridgeville$218,000An EF1 Tornado was confirmed by a storm survey conducted by the Charleston, South Carolina National Weather Service Office. The Tornado touched down north of Ridgeville, South Carolina at the Carters fast stop gas station, and traveled 2.2 miles before lifting. The maximum width of the tornado was determined to be 40 yards. Roof panels were stripped from the Canopy at the Carters fast stop gas station, two mobile homes were damaged with one shifted 5 feet off its foundation and another having its windows and doors blown out. Additionally, a car was moved approximately 50 feet. The estimated maximum sustained winds in this EF1 Tornado were estimated to be between 100 and 110 mph.
July 2019LightningRidgeville$100,000Lightning struck a building at Key West Boats in the 500 block of Ridgeville Road. The building was deemed a complete loss following the fire. Highway 27 and Ridgeville Road near the fire were both closed to all traffic.
August 2024Flash FloodSlandsville$60,000A Dorchester County emergency manager reported paved roadway damage on Summers Drive between Highway 17A and Victoria Point Lane. A small bridge in between these locations was also starting to crumble at this time.
April 2022LightningRosinville$60,000The Dorchester County Warning Point reported a mobile home at the 300 Block of Spring Branch Road destroyed by a fire likely caused by a lightning strike.
March 2008Thunderstorm WindRidgeville$60,000Straight line wind damage was observed near the Jedburg, South Carolina exit off of I-26. Interviews revealed that large pine trees were down across the roadway. In addition over one hundred pine trees were snapped off along the trunk or completely uprooted. Wind speeds were estimated to be between 95 and 105 mph.
August 2020Flash FloodSummerville$50,000The media reported flooding to a coffee shop near the intersection of East 3rd North Street and North Main Street. The coffee shop warehouse had around 8 inches of water in the building and around 4 inches of water inside the main customer building, destroying most flooring and some wall/cabinet wood panels. Video from social media also indicated flooding along Richardson Creek entering a few homes near the intersection of Central Avenue and South Pine Street, one of which appeared to have 1 to 2 feet of water inside exterior walls.
October 2008Flash FloodSlandsville$50,000A trained spotter reported that Orangeburg Road was closed due to the road being collapsed from flooding between Dorchester Road and Route 17A in Knightsville, South Carolina.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindSummerville$50,000Trees down and homes damaged in the Crestwood subdivision. Damage includes trampoline through a home.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindSummerville$50,000Parkway Business Center near intersection of Highway 17A and Highway 78 had roof partially peeled back.
August 2023Flash FloodReevesville$35,000Dorchester County Emergency Management provided pictures of a paved road damaged near the intersection of Durhams Corner Road and McAlhany Road and near Durham's Store due to heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Idalia. The roadbed under the eastbound lane near a small creek was severely eroded and compromised. Emergency management also reported unpaved Westfield Road washed out near the intersection with Mulberry Road.
August 2023Flash FloodSt George Muni Arpt$30,000A Dorchester County emergency manager reported 2 vehicles swept off the road by moving floodwaters on Indian Field Circle near Highway 15 due to recent heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Idalia. Both drivers were able to escape their vehicles with no injuries.
July 2022Flash FloodSlandsville$30,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported flash flooding at two locations near Highway 61, Bacon's Bridge Road, and Dorchester Road. Flood waters were entering a residence on West Walnut Circle and another residence on White Church Lane. A personal weather station located one street west of White Church Lane measured 4.90 inches of rain between 5:04 pm EST and 11:39 pm EST. A personal weather station located just west of West Walnut Circle measured 5.31 inches of rain between 4:59 pm EST and 10:19 pm EST.
July 2013Flash FloodSlandsville$30,000Trolley Road, near Oakbrook was closed due to flooding. Several cars were floating in waist-deep water.
April 1997Tornado (F1)St George$30,000no account filed
July 2025LightningSummerville Meml Arp$25,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that a lightning strike started a structure fire in the 100 block of Hammock Street.
February 2023FloodSlandsville$25,000The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding near the intersection of Orangeburg Road and Williams Family Drive. Broadcast media also reported a section of Orangeburg Road between US 17A and Dorchester Road closed due to part of the road being washed out near a construction zone.
June 1976Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2025LightningSlandsville$20,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that lightning struck a structure and started a fire in the 1000 block of Lovebug Lane.
August 2024Flash FloodDorchester$20,000A Dorchester County emergency manager shared a picture of a washout along the paved 695 Block of Powder Horn Road.
August 2024Flash FloodSlandsville$20,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that the Department of Transportation was shutting down Delmar Highway at Ashley Ridge High School because floodwaters were washing the roadway away.
August 2024Flash FloodPregnall$20,000A Dorchester County emergency manager shared a picture of paved Wire Road washed out near the intersection with Zion Road.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindSummerville$15,000Power pole fell on residence along Highway 61,
June 1995Thunderstorm WindSt. George & Summervi$15,000Thunderstorm winds and lightning caused considerable minor damage. Two homes hit by lightning in the Summerville area.
August 2024Flash FloodSlandsville$10,000A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a water rescue in progress on Magwood Drive. Another resident on the 9000 Block of Dorchester Road requested assistance. In addition, a guardrail along Dorchester Road was washed out with water along the road bankfull.
September 2022Flash FloodSummerville$10,000A NWS employee reported water entering the first floor of a home at 105 Flicker Lane.
September 2022Flash FloodSummerville$10,000Video shared via Twitter shows flood waters entering an attached garage of a home at 4169 Club Course Drive. The home backs up to a small creek that overflowed due to heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Ian.
June 2013LightningSlandsville$10,000Media reported a lightning strike caused a house fire along County Home Road. The report was confirmed by a Dorchester County fire chief.
July 2013Flash FloodSummerville$10,000Highway Patrol reported the road closed due to flooding at the intersection of Savannah Round and Old Trolley Road.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSummerville$10,000The public reported numerous trees split in half and several trees uprooted in Quail Arbor V along Sylvan Terrace. A tree was also blown down on a fence and camper.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindSt George$10,000The public reported that a carport roof was torn off damaging an automobile on Cedar Lane. Two trees were also reported to have snapped off near the top. The damage occurred in Saint George, South Carolina.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindSummerville$10,000Trees down in Summerville, Jedburg, and Reevesville.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindSt George$10,000Numerous trees down in Saint George, Reevesville, along Highway 78, and on Highway 15.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindSummerville$10,000In Greenhurst subdivision, several trees down and/or snapped. Large branch fell on a truck and damaged it. Damage to a home.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSummerville$8,000A trained spotter reported numerous trees and power lines down at Coosaw Creek Country Club.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindRidgeville$7,000Law enforcement reported 1 tree down on North Main street. The limbs of the tree fell on a nearby shed and car.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindSummerville$7,000The public estimated a 70 mph wind gust that blew several large trees down and a transformer of Dorchester Road.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindSummerville$6,000The public reported half a dozen trees down in Azalea Park in Summerville.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSlandsville$6,000A trained spotter reported numerous trees down on Bacons Bridge Road.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSlandsville$5,000Dorchester County Emergency Management reported a power line down in the 100 block of Blythe Avenue off of Bacons Bridge Road.
December 2018FloodSlandsville$5,000A trained spotter reported a few stalled cars due to flooding on Bacons Bridge Road just north of Dorchester Road.
December 2018FloodSummerville Meml Arp$5,000The public relayed a video showing water flowing across Renau Road where it crosses Rumphs Hill Creek. The road was closed due to flooding and a portion of an adjacent dirt driveway had washed out where a drainage pipe ran under it.
August 2018FloodSlandsville$5,000A Dorchester County Emergency Manager reported flooding due to heavy rainfall approximately 1-2 days prior upstream of the Ashborough neighborhood, mainly along Lake Ashborough extending toward the Ashley River. Mayfield Street and a park had water approximately 6 to 8 inches deep in some places. A few rescues were made due to stalled cars on streets. A few homes were also surrounded by water between Mayfield Street and the Ashley River.
June 2014Flash FloodSummerville$5,000The media reported 2 people rescued from a car in high water near Maple Grove Drive and Patriot Boulevard. The cost was generally estimated to be 5.00K.
July 2013Flash FloodSummerville$5,000Highway Patrol reported a roadway washout at Maryland Drive and Glenda View Drive.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSlandsville$5,000The public reported a large tree snapped mid way up and fell on a home under construction in Taylor Plantation.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindJedburg$5,000The public reported 4 pine trees and 1 sixteen inch diameter oak tree snapped.

Mines and quarries

35 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 35 workings inside this county. 10 still produce and 25 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction14
Clay11
Sand5
Limestone, General3
Clay, Cement Rock1
Limestone, General, Cement Rock1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Giant Portland Marl Pit(Harleyville Mine)Clay, Cement RockProducerSedimentary
Gifford Hill Marl Pit(Harleyville Quarry)Limestone, General, Cement RockProducerSedimentary
Harleyville QuarryLimestone, GeneralUnknownSedimentary
Harleyville Quarry & Cement PlantLimestone, GeneralProducer
Harleyville Quarry & Cement PlantLimestone, GeneralProducer
Big Oak MineSandUnknownSedimentary
Fishburne Creek MineSandUnknownSedimentary
Reeves-EdistoSandUnknownSedimentary
Reeves-EdistoSandUnknownSedimentary
Sandpit Road MineSandUnknownSedimentary
Dorchester Mine EastClayUnknownSedimentary
Dorchester Mine EastClayPast Producer
Dorchester Mine WestClayUnknownSedimentary
Dorchester Mine WestClayPast Producer
Giant Clay PitClayUnknownSedimentary
Knightsville MineClayUnknownSedimentary
Knightsville MineClayPast Producer
Newington Mine & MillClayPast Producer
Newington PitClayUnknownSedimentary
Salisbury Brick MineClayUnknownSedimentary
Salisbury MineClayProducer
Becker Sand and Gravel Co., Div. OfSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Dorchester County PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Dorchester Dirt PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Evergreen MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Evergreen PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducerSedimentary
Hilton MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer1983
J.F. Cleckey Mine7Sand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknownSedimentary
Janet PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Lindstedt MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Murray MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Murray PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducerSedimentary
Santee Sand Co. Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Summerville PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast ProducerSedimentary
Unnamed Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknownSedimentary

Every populated place in the county

133

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 2 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

The vanished settlements of Dorchester County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Summerville, South Carolina

19 topographic sheets and 6 fire insurance atlases, 1895 to 1944

Saint George, South Carolina

18 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1923 to 1941

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

6 structures

The vanished settlements of Dorchester County, the places these records name that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.