BlockBefore

Cheraw, South Carolina

8 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1942 and the latest in 1983. It stands in the Cheraw census division. It lies in ZIP code area 29520. It stands on Huckleberry Branch. The Survey maps it on the Cheraw quadrangle. 5,040 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 167 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Cheraw within Chesterfield County

On record in Cheraw

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 4 records

Surveyed buildings and structures 9 records

Population over time

2 figures

Cheraw fell from 5,851 to 5,040 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20105,851
20205,040-811 (-14%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

5 surveys from 8 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 10 photographs shown, 1936

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.

Palmetto church still frequented by white congregation at the Sandhills agricultural demonstration project. Near Cheraw, South Carolina
Palmetto church still frequented by white congregation at the Sandhills agricultural demonstration project. Near Cheraw, South Carolina
Mydans, Carl, photographer, 1936. Library of Congress
H. E. Sessions House, State Route 9, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
H. E. Sessions House, State Route 9, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Pegues-McKay House, Kershaw & Third Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Pegues-McKay House, Kershaw & Third Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Old Equity Court, Market & Seaboard Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Old Equity Court, Market & Seaboard Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Masonic Hall, Market & Second Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Masonic Hall, Market & Second Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
St. David's Episcopal Church, Rectory, 515 Market Street, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
St. David's Episcopal Church, Rectory, 515 Market Street, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Town Hall, Market & Second Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Town Hall, Market & Second Streets, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Tom McLaurin House, State Route 382, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Tom McLaurin House, State Route 382, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Chesterfield County

Fires near this place

292 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 292 fires within 5 miles of Cheraw between 1992 and 2020, burning about 1,251 acres in total. 4 started naturally. 49 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning111
Missing data/not specified/undetermined83
Arson/incendiarism49
Equipment and vehicle use18
Railroad operations and maintenance12
Misuse of fire by a minor11
Natural4
Smoking3
Fireworks1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2007Debris and open burning3.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
7 September 2002Equipment and vehicle use4.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
4 September 1999Debris and open burning1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
26 September 1995Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
25 September 1998Railroad operations and maintenanceunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
24 September 1998Arson/incendiarismunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
14 September 2007Arson/incendiarismunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
12 September 2013Debris and open burning1.6 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Chesterfield County

Mines and quarries near this place

10 of 11 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 11 workings within 5 miles of Cheraw: 6 unknowns, 3 producers, 2 past producers. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Clay, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Titanium, Iron, Iron, Thorium, Zirconium, Titanium. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Juniper CreekIron, Thorium, Zirconium, TitaniumUnknownPlacer , Modern , Fluvial
Thompson CreekTitanium, IronUnknownPlacer , Modern , Fluvial
Cash MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Unidentified Gravel MineSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknownSedimentary
Cheraw MineClayUnknownSedimentary
Cheraw MineClayProducer
Gin Creek MineClayPast Producer
Irby MineClayUnknownSedimentary
Palmetto MineClayProducer
Unidentified Clay MineClayPast ProducerSedimentary

Every working recorded in Chesterfield County

Storms near this place

58 since 1998

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Cheraw in 58 storm reports between 1998 and 2024: 25 thunderstorm wind, 23 hail, 6 flash flood, 3 heavy rain. The reports record 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2011Thunderstorm WindCheraw4 hurt, $80,000Sheriff reported trees down in Cheraw... some on vehicles and some on homes.
July 2012HailCheraw$50,000Public reported golfball size hail on the north side of Cheraw.
October 2016Flash FloodCheraw$10,000SCDOT reported Old Cash Road near Juniper Road closed due to flooding. They also reported a roadway washout along Songbird Road between Teals Mill Road and Bear Creek Road.
December 2015Flash FloodCheraw$7,000County EM reported a few roads closed due to flash flooding including the U.S. 52 bypass in Cheraw.
July 2012HailCheraw$5,000Public reported quarter size hail covering the ground near Highway 145.
July 2009HailCheraw$4,000Cheraw State Park reported penny size hail and several trees struck and split by lightning.
September 2014Thunderstorm WindCheraw$3,000Chesterfield County Dispatch reported trees down on Hwy 1 near the National Guard Armory.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindCheraw$3,000EM reported trees downin Cheraw on Laney and Old Cash roads.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindCheraw$2,000EM reported large branches and a few trees down in Cheraw.
January 2010Thunderstorm WindCheraw$2,000DOT reported a few trees down in the Cheraw area.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindCheraw$1,000DOT reported a couple of trees down on Old Chesterfield Hwy.
April 2023HailCheraw$100Personnel at Cheraw Water Plant reported hail slightly larger than dime size but smaller than nickel size. Time estimated.
September 2018Flash FloodCheraw$100Some roads closed due to flooding in Cheraw and vicinity, including Manor Rd between W Market St Ext and US Hwy 1, and Market St (US Hwy 1) between Christian St and 2nd St.
September 2018Flash FloodCheraw$100Miller Ingram Dr closed due to Wilson Branch creek overflowing its banks.
September 2018Flash FloodCheraw$100Video, shared via social media, showed water over Cash Rd near Old Cash Rd. Road was closed.
May 2024HailCheraw-Broadcast meteorologist passed on a public report with photo of roughly ping-pong sized hail in Cheraw.
May 2024HailCheraw-SKYWARN Spotters noted several reports of quarter sized hail just north of Cheraw along Highway 52.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindCheraw-A tree was downed on a power line at Little St and Huger St in Cheraw. Time estimated.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindCheraw-A tree was downed on a house on High St in Cheraw. Time estimated.
August 2023Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Chesterfield County Dispatch reported multiple trees down along Highway 52.
August 2020HailCheraw-Spotter reported hail up to the size of a quarter in Cheraw.
September 2018Heavy RainCheraw-CO-OP Observer Station CEWS1, Cheraw Water Plant, measured a total rainfall amount, associated with Tropical Cyclone Florence, of 22.58 inches. The rain fell from late afternoon Friday Sept. 14th through early morning Monday Sept. 17th.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Winds downed power lines at the intersection of Legrand Street and Depot Street.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Reported downed trees along with a blown transformer on Market Street.
June 2016Heavy RainCheraw-Public reported rainfall up to 3 inches which caused ponding of water along Church Street in Cheraw.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Law enforcement reported a tree down across the roadway at US 1 and US 52.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Numerous trees and power lines were downed in and around the town of Cheraw. Many areas were without power.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Public report of a 60 MPH wind gust. Pea size hail also reported.
September 2014HailCheraw-Sheriff dispatch reported that officers observed dime size hail near the town of Cheraw.
June 2013Heavy RainCheraw-COOP Observer at Cheraw Water Plant reported 1.31 inches of rain from a thunderstorms within a half hour.
February 2011HailCheraw-Spotter reported nickel size hail in Cheraw.
July 2010HailCheraw-Public reported 1.25 inch hail.
July 2010HailCheraw-Public reported golf ball size hail.
June 2008HailCheraw-Public reported quarter size hail and large branches down.
June 2008HailCheraw-COOP observer reported nickel size hail.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Highway Maintenance reported a few trees down near Cheraw.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Coop Observer reported trees and large limbs down along with some small hail.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Public reported trees dwon at US 21 and hwy 52.
June 2007HailCheraw-H. Cooper Black Park reported nickel size hail.
May 2006HailCheraw-Public reported golf ball size hail.
June 2006HailCheraw-Highway Dept. reported 3/4 inch hail on US Hwy 52.
July 2006HailCheraw-Public reported 3/4 inch hail on SC Hwy 9.
June 2006HailCheraw-Forestry Commission reported 3/4 inch hail at Cheraw State Park.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Fire Dept. reported numerous trees down and power outages.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Cheraw State Park reported some trees and large limbs down on the north side of the park.
August 2006HailCheraw-SKYWARN spotter reported nickel size hail at the intersection of hwy 52 and State road.
November 2006Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Sheriff reported trees down on US 52 in the Cash area.
September 2004Tornado (F1)Cheraw-An F1 intermittently touched down and did minor damage to several homes, businesses, and an elementary school.. Numerous trees and powerlines were down.
July 2003Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Sheriff reported trees down on Cattle Ridge Road.
May 2003Flash FloodCheraw-SKYWARN spotters reported flash flooding in and around Cheraw. Several roads closed due to water over the highways.
March 2002HailCheraw-Coop observer reported 1 inch hail.
April 2002HailCheraw-Sheriff reported dime size hail.
August 2001Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Cheraw State Park reported large limbs down on the golf course.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindCheraw-EOC reported trees down in Cheraw.
June 2000HailCheraw-NWS COOP observer reported 3/4 inch hail.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindCheraw-Public reported trees and powerlines down.
January 1998Thunderstorm WindCheraw-EPD and Highway Maintenance report several trees down on SC Hwy 22.
March 1998HailCheraw-Sheriff reported 1 inch hail in Cheraw.

Every storm recorded in Chesterfield County

Newspapers printed here

3,005 digitised pages

5 papers published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 600 issues, 3,005 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
Cheraw Gazette1847 to 1861
Farmers' Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser1839 to 1843
Cheraw Chronicle1896 to 2005
Cheraw Gazette1835 to 1838
Farmers' Gazette1843 to 1847

What the paper printed

27,140 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 13 issues spread across its run from 1836 to 1922, 27,140 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1844-09-24Farmers' Gazette2,987 words
1845-01-28Farmers' Gazette2,669 words
1851-09-23Cheraw Gazette2,669 words
1839-11-29Farmers' Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser2,260 words
1839-12-20Farmers' Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser2,360 words
1843-02-21Farmers' Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser2,507 words
1905-03-30Cheraw Chronicle763 words
1922-07-06Cheraw Chronicle1,736 words
1836-01-05Cheraw Gazette1,760 words
1836-03-22Cheraw Gazette1,751 words
1836-05-31Cheraw Gazette2,029 words
1836-08-16Cheraw Gazette1,766 words
1836-10-25Cheraw Gazette1,883 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Windsor Park2.2 miles8
Excelsior (historical)2.6 miles8
Isgett Circle2.8 miles8
Fisher Hill2.9 miles8
Robinson3.7 miles8
McNeils (historical)3.7 miles8
Montrose4.3 miles9
Kimberly4.7 miles8

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on CherawAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1070214The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1247267. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

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.