HISTORY • HORSES • EVENTS • ATTRACTIONS • SHOPPING DINING • COMMUNITIES • RECREATION • HOSPITALITY

Camden-KershawCountyDISCOVER 2015-2016 Official Visitor/Relocation Guide

Puppy Dog Eyes Originally bred in Kershaw County and now S.C.’s official state dog, the Boykin Spaniel is a perfect combination of hunter and family pet COME SPEND SOME

This place that we call home radiates graphically central site for a new plant or Southern charm and all things “Classical- distribution center. We would invite you to ly Carolina.”TIME As you will see in thisWITH maga- look no further US...than the 1,400-acre Central zine, Camden and Kershaw County have a Megasite in Lugoff, so close DISCOVER myriad of special things to offer that truly to I-20 and the capital city of Columbia and make our area such a unique place. exceedingly well positioned to access all in- Camden-KershawCounty Look at the cute puppy on our cover. Did terstate commerce traffic patterns. you know that the Boykin Spaniel, South In addition, Discover Camden-Kershaw Publisher Carolina’s official state dog, was first bred County magazine offers you a number of Michael Mischner here? You will learn all about this small, resources to learn more about this commu- rugged dog in these pages. nity via a chamber membership directory For history and sports buffs, Camden is and listings of local restaurants, hotels Editor/Designer the hometown of Baseball Hall of Famer and festivals. Martha Bruce Larry Doby, the first African-American Camden touts be- toT play on an American League major ing the oldest inland General Manager league baseball team. Are you fascinated township in South Betsy Greenway by all things military or gee-whiz gad- Carolina, established gets of mid-20th century spycraft? Then back in 1732 after Production Director plan to see the Ross Beard Jr. Collection Charleston was first Barbara Stevens at the Camden Archives and Museum. It settled on the coast in is the same venue where you can see the 1670. Our townsfolk bronze life-size sculptures of Larry Doby and the local mer- Feature Writers in conversation with Bernard Baruch, the chant Joseph Ker- Tenell Felder famous statesman, who also grew up here. shaw banded togeth- Gary Phillips Whether you like to fish, go boating or sim- er with the Catawba Jim Tatum ply have a beautiful view from your kitchen Indians and their window, spend some time up at Lake Water- leader, King Haigler, Photography ee, our local 13,700-acre reservoir. to make a friendly co- Mike Mischner Christian Viera Photography For a glimpse into the horse world, Ker- alition. This alliance Publisher Catherine French shaw County offers both the Carolina and is depicted in statu- Camden Media Co. Charles Thompson Colonial Cups, two of steeplechasing’s pre- ary today erected in our Town Green on Rut- Bow Tie Photography miere events. Come view the Springdale ledge Street near the old Clock Tower amid P.E. Spivey Photography Race Course and tour the only National upscale art galleries and antique shops now Boykin Spaniel Society Steeplechase Museum in the country dedi- in abundance. We still exhibit a reverence Kershaw County Chamber of cated to all things jump-racing. Join us for our preserved historic places and we en- Commerce & Visitors Center for Aberdeen Polo played here in the late courage you to take a drive or stroll through Kershaw County spring, usually on the second Sunday in our Historic District. Economic Development May, upon the second oldest polo field in the The city of Camden maintains more Kershaw County School District country. Many of you may want to travel to than 16 municipal parks and recreational Camden Media Co. the S.C. Equine Park, located off I-20 at Exit areas. We invite you to take time to explore 101, in Camden. Our 60-acre equine center our local venues and revel in our friendly provides for 250 padded horse stalls and two atmosphere. Discover Camden-Kershaw covered arenas for hosting a full range of As I think you will learn, Camden and County is a publication horse eventing activities weekly and draws Kershaw County are home to a wide selec- of Camden Media Co. in participants to this area from all across the tion of attractions. Browse this magazine Southern region. We are also renown for the to let us whet YOUR appetite to spend cooperation with the training of young Thoroughbred race horses some time here. Kershaw County Chamber here in Kershaw County. Our hope is that, through this maga- of Commerce & Visitors The LeMons races are just one variety of zine, you will discover what so many of us Center and the City of automobile races held at the Carolina Mo- have already found: that here in Camden Camden Tourism torsports Park. Ferrari club meeting en- and Kershaw County are wonderful places Development Office thusiasts head this way on a regular basis. to visit, work, play and raise a family. Kershaw County would be a wise choice And bring your puppy dogs, too -- we for those businesses searching for a geo- love ‘em!

1 / Discover Camden-Kershaw County / 2015/2016 WELCOME!

For centuries, visitors have traveled to Camden, South Caro- lina in search of what they love. Consider Agnes of Glasgow. More than 230 years ago, she secretly boarded a Charles Towne- Liz Horton Executive director bound ship from Scotland intent on finding her betrothed, Lieu- Kershaw County Chamber tenant Angus McPherson, who was serving the British during of Commerce & Visitors Center the American Revolution. From the coast, she wandered up through the inland wil- Suzi Sale derness for Tourism development director days, de- City of Camden Tourism We welcome you to discover the place we call t e r m i n e d Development Office home. Be mindful, however. You just might fall Fto find her in love with the quality of life we have here and love. She decide to make Camden-Kershaw your home. discovered Within the pages of this magazine you will dis- Camden. cover that we are passionate about all the things Today, we that make life well-lived for everyone. believe you And don’t be surprised if you decide to move will find what you love here, too. Whether its history, heritage your business or launch a new enterprise here. touring and research, horse racing or horse showing, antebel- Historically Camden-Kershaw’s geographic lo- lum homes, antiques and art, fishing, shooting sports, cycling, cation has positioned us an advantageous cross- motorsports, or simply strolling our tree-lined city-center or en- roadsW and trading center. Today, with our excel- joying one of more than 20 parks and lush green spaces, there lent sites, resources and global connections via is a place where you can live your own special story. Interstate, Port and Air, we continue to court We welcome you to Discover Camden-Kershaw County. We growth, and we’d love to have you here. Visit us believe you will be sufficiently captivated by what we have to at www.kershawcountychamber.org and let us offer that you will come to find what you love. Visit us at www. help you make the right connections. classicallycarolina.com to plan your visit. 2 / Discover Camden-Kershaw County / 2015/2016 where to go ... what to do About the Historic Robert Mills Courthouse and Home of the Camden/Kershaw County Visitors Center

2014 At a glance: 467,181 Visits to the Online Community Calendar 308,205 Searches within the Online Community Calendar 69,498 Designed in 1825 by “South Carolina’s • Robert Mills, America’s first archi- Event Page Views from Architect,” Robert Mills, and completed in tect, who studied under , the Online Community 1827, the courthouse features a copper roof, Pierre L’ Enfant, and , also Calendar brick floors, vaulted central hallway, double designed the and arched ceilings downstairs and vestiges of the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, its original radiant heat systems. Built to D.C. 20,000 be fireproof, the walls of the structure are Visitor inquiries responded 22 inches thick masonry at the base cov- to via mail, email, walk-in D ered by plaster, tapering to about 15 inches Home to the Kershaw County Chamber of and phone thick at the second floor. The courtroom is Commerce & Visitors Center, the building restored to conform to an 1845 renovation, is handicap accessible and is open Monday 12,021 when wide pine plank floors were installed through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat- Visitors coming through to cover the second story brick floor. The urday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday the Visitors’ Center judge’s bench and witness stand are as from 1:30 to 5 p.m. It is closed on major Mills designed them. The original ornate holidays. Enter through the visitors center 5,000 woodwork is visible above period silk and entrance, downstairs on the south side of Visitors Guides distributed damask window treatments. The court- the building. Tours are free and available house also features: during business hours. Access may be lim- 500 • Barrel vaulted ceilings on lower level. ited when special events are being held in Visitor Information • Original headstone of Baron DeKalb, the building. Packets assembled for Revolutionary War hero. The Historic Robert Mills Courthouse is Tourism-Related Events • The Sporting Life Gallery, a museum also available for rental as a special event with exhibits from equine, canine, and venue and will make the perfect location 6,740 shooting sports that sustained the area for for your wedding, reception, family reunion, Visitor Information Mailings over a century. birthday party, corporate meeting and more!

3 / Discover Camden-Kershaw County / 2015/2016