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Spartanburg, South Carolina

18 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1941 and the latest in 1986. It stands in the Spartanburg census division. It lies in ZIP code area 29306. It stands on Butterfly Creek. The Survey maps it on the Spartanburg quadrangle. 38,732 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 807 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Spartanburg within Spartanburg County

On record in Spartanburg

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 12 of 38 shown

Every listing in Spartanburg County

Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Spartanburg grew from 37,013 to 38,732 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
201037,013
202038,732+1,719 (+5%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

10 surveys from 18 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

7 photographs, 1941 to 1943

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.

Getting up the walls on a prefabricated house being built by FSA (Farm Security Administration) to house some of the farmers when they move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Pacolet, South Carolina region
Getting up the walls on a prefabricated house being built by FSA (Farm Security Administration) to house some of the farmers when they move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Pacolet, South Carolina region
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress
Children of a "squatter" family who were preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone, South Carolina
Children of a "squatter" family who were preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone, South Carolina
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress
House occupied by "squatter" family that was preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone South Carolina
House occupied by "squatter" family that was preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone South Carolina
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress
Negro family moving out of Camp Croft area collecting some belongings from a relative. Near Spartanburg, South Carolina region
Negro family moving out of Camp Croft area collecting some belongings from a relative. Near Spartanburg, South Carolina region
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress
Prefabricated house built by FSA (Farm Security Administration) to house some of the farmers who had to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area.  Pacolet, South Carolina
Prefabricated house built by FSA (Farm Security Administration) to house some of the farmers who had to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Pacolet, South Carolina
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress
Spartanburg (vicinity), South Carolina. Truck driver pulled over to side of road along U.S. Highway 29 for a sleep
Spartanburg (vicinity), South Carolina. Truck driver pulled over to side of road along U.S. Highway 29 for a sleep
Vachon, John, 1943. Library of Congress
Children of a "squatter" family who were preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone, South Carolina region
Children of a "squatter" family who were preparing to move out of the Spartanburg Army camp area. Near Whitestone, South Carolina region
Delano, Jack, 1941. Library of Congress

Fires near this place

136 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 136 fires within 5 miles of Spartanburg between 1992 and 2019, burning about 463 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 9 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
Missing data/not specified/undetermined71
Debris and open burning25
Misuse of fire by a minor17
Arson/incendiarism9
Smoking4
Recreation and ceremony3
Power generation/transmission/distribution2
Equipment and vehicle use2
Fireworks1
Natural1
Railroad operations and maintenance1

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
6 September 1997Debris and open burning3.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
29 September 1993Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
28 September 1993Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
16 September 1999Debris and open burning1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
31 August 2011Debris and open burning2.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
21 August 2007Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
13 August 2007Debris and open burningunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
12 August 2002Debris and open burning1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Spartanburg County

Mines and quarries near this place

1 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Spartanburg: 1 unknown. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Titanium, Iron. 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
North SpartanburgTitanium, IronUnknownPlacer , Modern , Fluvial

Every working recorded in Spartanburg County

Storms near this place

60 of 123 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Spartanburg in 123 storm reports between 1994 and 2022: 61 thunderstorm wind, 36 hail, 10 flash flood, 7 heavy rain. The reports record 1 death and 3 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 2007LightningSpartanburg1 killed, 1 hurtno account filed
May 2003Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg1 hurt, $50,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down, some of which fell on structures. Two mobile homes had their roofs blown off in Roebuck. A female was injured by a fallen tree.
May 2003LightningSpartanburg1 hurtno account filed
August 1999HailSpartanburg$9,000,000no account filed
May 2014HailSpartanburg$3,000,000Public reported up to golf ball size hail from the west side of Spartanburg to the area around Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
August 1998Flash FloodSpartanburg$2,500,000A flash flood developed rapidly late in the evening following 4 to 5 inches of rainfall in a short time. The flash flood affected several creeks from the city of Spartanburg southward to Roebuck, Walnut Grove, and Pauline. The most damage may have occurred along Timms Creek and Lawson Fork Creek. Several roads were washed out, several people required rescue from their homes, a country club experienced severe damage, and a restaurant was destroyed. Most of the severe flooding was in the first 2 hours.
August 1999HailSpartanburg$1,000,000no account filed
August 1998Flash FloodSpartanburg$500,000For the second consecutive night a flash flood hit Spartanburg. This time the primary flood occurred along Fairforest Creek and the communities affected were the west side of the city, Arcadia, Una, and Reidville Road. A road buckled leaving a 6 to 8 foot crater, rescues of motorists were required at Una, and a motel was flooded which required evacuation of the residents.
May 1998LightningSpartanburg$150,000no account filed
May 2003HailSpartanburg$100,000Hail on the east side of Spartanburg was responsible for extensive damage to vehicles on auto dealership lots.
July 1997LightningSpartanburg$100,000no account filed
July 1995Thunderstorm Windwest Spartanburg$62,000,,,,,,,,Urban Flooding
January 1996Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$35,000no account filed
July 2002Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$30,000A microburst in the Arcadia community caused several trees to snap off at their bases. One tree fell on a mobile home.
October 2005Heavy RainSpartanburg$20,000Saturated ground caused a retaining wall to collapse, crushing 2 vehicles.
August 2003Flash FloodSpartanburg$20,000Severe urban flooding developed in the city. Several vehicles were trapped by flood waters, and some motorists required rescue. Flooding also developed along Lawson's Fork and Fairforest Creeks. A couple of bridges were washed out by flood waters.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$10,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in and around the city. At least one tree fell on a home and an automobile.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$5,000Large limbs down near the highway 29 exit of Interstate 85. Trees down along highway 176 near its intersection with Interstate 26. Quite a few trees down in Boiling Springs at around 9:25, at least one of which fell on a house.
July 2004Heavy RainSpartanburg$5,000Heavy rainfall caused some street flooding in the city. Flood water entered some businesses.
November 2002Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$2,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.
November 2003Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$1,000Some trees were blown down. At least one fell on a house.
January 1995Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg$1,000no account filed
July 2022Thunderstorm WindEast Spartanburg-County comms reported a couple of trees down on the southeast side of Spartanburg.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindEast Spartanburg-County comms reported multiple trees blown down southeast of Spartanburg.
July 2018HailSpartanburg-Public reported (via Social Media) ping pong ball to golf ball size hail on the south side of Spartanburg.
July 2015HailSpartanburg-Spotter reported quarter size hail in the city of Spartanburg.
May 2014HailSpartanburg-County comms reported hail of at least quarter size at Croft State Park.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-County comms reported multiple trees and power lines blown down at Woodburn Rd and Country Club Rd.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Multiple trees were blown down onto roads and power lines on Connecticut Ave and North Church Street in Spartanburg.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Trees were blown down around the city of Spartanburg, mainly on the east side. Some trees damaged structures and vehicles, including a tree that fell on a vehicle on Woodland St. Another tree fell on and damaged a business on Pine St and another tree fell on a home on Palmetto St.
February 2009HailSpartanburg-Hail reported in the Converse Heights area.
June 2009HailSpartanburg-Hail was reported on North Church St.
December 2009Heavy RainSpartanburg-Urban and poor drainage flooding caused closure of a handful of roads in the northern half of Spartanburg County, including portions of Monks Grove Church Rd and highway 221 near Spartanburg.
April 2008HailSpartanburg-Several reports of hail, up to half dollar size, on the south side of Spartanburg.
June 2008HailSpartanburg-Hail reported in the Arcadia area.
May 2007HailSpartanburg-Reported near the intersection of Reidville Rd and Camelot Dr.
April 2006HailSpartanburg-Nickel hail reported at Converse College.
June 2006Heavy RainSpartanburg-Torrential rain from a thunderstorm caused some urban flooding in Inman, especially on Park Rd, which was covered with over a foot of water at Asheville highway and E Street.
June 2006HailSpartanburg-Nickel size hail near the intersection of highway 29 and Interstate 26.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Several trees downed around the city. Wofford College DPS reported several large limbs blown down around campus.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Power lines down at the intersection of Beechwood and Beech Hill in the city. Large tree limbs down near the intersection of Southgate Rd and highway 176.
July 2006HailSpartanburg-Dime size hail at the intersection of highway 296 and I-26.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Two trees blown down near the intersection of Anderson Mill and Old Anderson Mill Roads.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Numerous trees and power lines blown down and some roof damage, mainly in the southwest and south part of the city.
September 2006Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-A sign blown down and trees blown down on power lines on Asheville Highway.
April 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Quite a few trees and power lines down in and around the city.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-A tree and power line down off highway 9 in the Lake Bowen area. Large limbs down close to town.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Two trees down along highway 9.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Large limbs blown down in the Pacolet Mills area. A spotter measured a 53 mph gust and reported a 1 foot diameter tree blown down.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Tops blown out of large oak trees along a city block wide area in Cherokee Springs. Some debris fell on power lines.
July 2005LightningSpartanburg-Lightning ignited a house fire.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Several 3-to-5 diameter limbs were blown down near the intersection of highway 221 and Floyd Rd.
June 2004Heavy RainSpartanburg-Poor drainage caused flooding to develop near the intersection of West Main and North Highpoint during a heavy thunderstorm.
June 2004Heavy RainSpartanburg-Heavy rainfall caused high water to enter 2 warehouses: one in the city, and the other at Camp Croft.
August 2004Heavy RainSpartanburg-Heavy rainfall caused some urban flooding to develop around the city.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-A few trees were blown down in the Converse area.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-Numerous trees were blown down on the east side of the city.
December 2002Flash FloodSpartanburg-Some roads flooded, along with some small creeks and streams.
September 2002Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-A blown down tree fell on a mobile home.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindSpartanburg-A few trees were blown down.

Every storm recorded in Spartanburg County

Newspapers printed here

40,444 digitised pages

6 papers published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 4,530 issues, 40,444 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
The Spartan1843 to 1852
The Spartan1896 to 1898
Spartanburg Journal1900 to 1906
The Carolina Spartan1898 to 1913
The Journal and the Carolina Spartan1913 to 1920
The Carolina Spartan1852 to 1896

What the paper printed

35,927 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 16 issues spread across its run from 1844 to 1917, 35,927 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
1856-03-20The Carolina Spartan3,024 words
1856-05-15The Carolina Spartan2,873 words
1856-07-10The Carolina Spartan2,999 words
1856-08-28The Carolina Spartan3,346 words
1856-10-30The Carolina Spartan3,406 words
1894-05-16The Carolina Spartan2,248 words
1844-07-17The Spartan2,498 words
1844-08-14The Spartan2,362 words
1844-08-28The Spartan2,417 words
1844-09-25The Spartan2,251 words
1849-06-28The Spartan2,470 words
1898-02-16The Spartan836 words
1902-05-09Spartanburg Journal1,366 words
1906-09-06Spartanburg Journal428 words
1902-04-30The Carolina Spartan1,907 words
1917-02-02The Journal and the Carolina Spartan1,496 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
Washington Heights0.9 miles18
Hartwell Courts1.0 miles18
Converse Heights1.0 miles18
Hub City Courts1.1 miles18
Summerhill1.1 miles18
Little Vista Heights1.2 miles18
Fairview Heights1.2 miles18
Woodburn Hills1.3 miles18

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 SpartanburgAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q773325The 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 1250982. 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.