. ' COMMUNITY A Newcomer's Guide To Georgetown County Tuesday, February 27,1990 ©eorgefoton ®iweo Pagel Photo CourtMy Georgetown County Chamber of Commarca A sailboat anchors in the Sampit River, beside the 1,000-foot Harborwalkthat runs behind business establishments in historic downtown Georgetown A rich legacy is recaptured moonlight bay Moonlight reflects off the waters of Winyah Bay. The bay, which is fed by five rivers on one side, in this historic community and the Atlantic Ocean on another, was one of say, the Red Man did not last long in these the primary reasons the English located a set­ By Jesse Tullos TIMES EDfTOH parts after the Europeans arrived. Inter­ tlement at Georgetown - South Carolina's illiam Faulkner once wrote that tribal wars, enslavement (although a 1703 third oldest city the past is always with us; it's not law placed a duty of 20 shillings on each W even past. He could have been Indian slave exported, more Indian slaves writing about Georgetown County when he were exported from South Carolina than penned those words. Our historical past is any other colony) and epidemics took a toll captured today in stately old homes, chur­ on the Indian population, and they soon ches and former rice plantations that have disappeared from the areas around the body been developed into private communities. of water that would one day be called There is an on-going argument that Winyah Bay. Georgetown County was the site of the first Land grants to this area were issued as European settlement in North America. early as 1705. By the early 1720s, there Some historians claim an early Spanish ex­ were enough people living here for Prince pedition led by Lucas Vasquez de Allyon in George, Winyah, a parish of the Church of 1526 founded a colony on Waccamaw England, to be established. The city of Neck, San Miguel de Gualdape. George Town (as it was known until 1798 No visible remains of the settlement have when it became Georgetown) was founded been uncovered to date, but members of the in 1729 by Elisha Screven, who employed Georgetown County Historical Society William Swinton to survey his property on have taken steps to have an archaeological the Sampit River and laid out a town, from dig conducted at Hobcaw Barony, on land which he began selling lots. that once belonged to the Baruch family. Three years later, the town was made a They hope the dig will provide evidence port of entry and soon after, indigo became a that Georgetown County is, indeed, the cash crop. Profits were so great between birthplace of this country. 1750 and 1775 that the Winyah Indigo It was the sea that drew early settlers to Society, a men's social group that paid its this area—whether they were Spanish ex­ dues in indigo, was able to open a free school plorers or English sailors. And it is the sea in 1755. and its accompanying waterways that gave When the American Revolution came, birth to this community. Georgetown played a major role by sending Georgetown was the third permanent En­ two men—Thomas Lynch Sr. and Thomas glish settlement in South Carolina—Char­ Lynch Jr.—to the Continental Congress. leston and Beaufort being settled earlier. The junior Lynch became one of the signers Historians tell us that the Indians who lived of the Declaration of Independence. here before the first white settlers arrived The British occupied George Town from were friendly sorts. They must have also July 1780 until May 1781, and were the been very gullible, much as their brothers to focus of many of the skirmishes conducted the north who sold Manhattan Island. by The Swamp Fox, the legendary Francis It's easy to imagine these friendly natives Marion. selling out for a few worthless, colorful trink­ See LEGACY. Page7 ets and white man's whiskey. Needless to Cg- I3**W 27.1990 COMMUNITY' < NEWCOMERS GUIDE Serving Their Community A guide to the Georgetown County community Civic organizations focus on community assistance n Georgetown County, civic members meet every Thursday at third Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Nan- organizations work for the 1 p.m. at the Waccamaw House in na's Kitchen, located on Hwy 17. I betterment of the area Litchfield. • Waccamaw Neck Lions Club through specials projects and fun­ • Members of Andrews Rotary meets every first and third Tues­ draisers. Following is a list of such Club meet Monday at 1 p.m. at day at 7 p.m. at the Gray Man organizations and their meeting Ozburn's Restaurant in Andrews. Restaurant at Pawleys Island. times and places. • The Georgetown Jaycees • Winyah Bay Toastmasters • Georgetown Rotary Club meet every second Tuesday and meet every Wednesday at 7:30 Page 3 members meet each Tuesday at 1 fourth Wednesday of each month a.m. at Shoney's Restaurant in p.m. at Lowcountry Bar-be-que. at the visitor's center located at Georgetown. RECREATING • Georgetown Breakfast Rot­ Days Inn in Georgetown at 7:30 • Ancient Free Masons Lodge A MARKET ary members meet every Thurs­ p.m. Anyone between 21 and 39 No. 40 meets the first Tuesday of Downtown Georgetown is under­ day at 7:30 a.m. at Quincy's on years of age is invited. each month at the lodge on the going a redevelopment project to Hwy 17. • Georgetown Lions Club corner of Screven and Prince nval any in the state. The historic • Pawleys Island Rotary Club members meet every first and streets. seaport business communty is mak­ ing the most of its assets through the Page 5 Downtown Georgetown Revitaliza- tion Association, and it's paying big SPIRITUAL dividends. GUIDANCE Georgetown County's roots were started in the church. A list of churches in the community, by de­ Page 4 nomination. A UNK TO THE PAST Page 6 The African American History Observances Committee draws on HURRICANE the accomplishments of blacks CHECKLIST through various medians. When Hurricane Hugo struck South Carolina last September, Georgetown County was fortunate GETTING in that no lives were lost. But the AROUND storm of the century created a great Transportation can be a major deal of hardship for residents here. problem for newcomers, and for Tropical storms are unwanted visi­ longtime residents. A few tips on tors to our coast, but a little common who to call to get where you're sense and preparation can help pre­ going. vent unnecessary hardships. Solid Banking 16 financial institutions serve the banking needs of residents eorgetown County boasts Family Services and Trust Ser­ CNS Federal Credit Union. a strong financial economy vices are offered to Georgetown First Federal Savings and Loan G with 16 banking institu­ County residents through separate Association began here in George­ USC Coastal Carolina College tions serving Georgetown, subsidiary companies of C&S Cor­ town, in 1937, when its board of Andrews, and Pawleys Island resi­ poration. directors met and approved eight Can Make a Difference in dents. Plantation Federal Savings and loan applications totaling $ 17,700. South Carolina National Bank is Loan is another Georgetown Coun­ Today, 52 years later, First the largest bank in the state as well ty financial institution serving area Federal of Georgetown is a domi­ Your Life as the oldest. residents at its location on U.S. nant mortgage lender in George­ The financial institution, estab­ Highway 17 at Pawleys Island. town, Andrews, and Pawleys Is­ At the University of South Carolina Coastal Carolina College, 150 lished in 1834, has Georgetown Mortgage loans, individual re­ land, with more than $ 117.5 mil­ professors specializing in 29 major fields of study are ready to help you County locations with the main tirement accounts, and money lion in assets and $94 million in prepare for a successful future. Both inside and outside the classroom, faculty office at 1002 Front Street in market accounts are just a few of deposits. and staff promote intellectual as well as personal growth. Georgetown, an Andrews office at the many services Plantation The savings and loan institution In short, we are committed to helping you become more than you believe 102 East Main Street and a Litch­ Federal Savings and Loan offers its has served past community and you can be. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or you have been field office on U.S. Highway 17. customers. county government needs such as out of school for a number of years, Coastal Carolina College can start you on SCN offers its customers a wide J. Edward Norris, III is the financing a street sweeper in the road to becoming your best. range of banking services including bank's president. Andrews, a water tower for the checking and savings accounts, The CNS Federal Credit Union Georgetown Water and Sewer Dis­ Your personal success strategy begins with a telephone call or visit to the personal and commercial loans, at 113 Cleland Street in George­ trict, the Harborwalk in George­ Admissions Office, USC Coastal Carolina College, Highway 501, between and money market accounts. town offers a full line of services to town, and the new Pawleys Island Myrtle Beach and Conway. SCN has 160 branches in the its membership agencies. Personal Presbyterian Church. Courses Offered at Georgetown and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base state and it is the only major bank and commercial loans, savings Personal financial needs are not U^_gS-fe Coastal Graduate Classes Available in Conway with its headquarters in South accounts and other services are forgotten with services for the Carolina. James G. Lindley is the provided to its customers, which home, car, savings or checking S In nflf Carolina Phone Office of Admission: president of South Carolina include Georgetown Water and accounts.