Historic Sites

Clarendon County Courthouse, Manning, S.C.

A frame structure was erected in 1878. After it was damaged by fire, it was demolished in 1908 and replace by the beautiful Gregorian style stately brick building that still stands today. In 1970 the building was renovated.

In the building are plaques to the memory of Chief Justice Taylor Hudnall Stukes, Justice James Hugh McFaddin, and General Richard Richardson. A Portrait of Justice Stukes hangs in the Courtroom. On the grounds is a monument to the veterans of the War Between the States and two markers honoring Jake Williams and William Burgess who were killed in action during World War I.

Fullwood Plantation

Formerly the Fullwood Barony, it was a grant by King George of England of 16,900 acres of land on Black River and Puddin’ Swamp in Camden and Williamsburg Districts. Major William Fullwood organized a company of volunteers during the Revolutionary War to fight with Gen. Francis Marion.

The Fullwood home and plantation is owned and operated by the children of Douglas McFaddin and was handed down to them from their great great grandfather Hugh McFaddin who acquired the home and a great portion of the barony.

The lovely ancestral home built in 1820 has been remodeled many times. It was built by slaves with hand made brick on the plantation, hand-hewn beams and boards pegged together with wooden pegs. It was the childhood home of Judge Hames Hugh McFaddin (1912-1973).

Coffey Rigby Livery Stable

At the turn of the century Clarendon was primarily an agricultural county, with lumber a close second and turpentine stills also important. These activities all required mule power. Manning, as the county seat, had several livery stables one being that of Coffey and Rigby. They first located in an old wooden building at the corner of Mill and Huggins Street, and in 1905 the built a frame building at the corner of Mill and Keitt Street. The tornado of May 7, 1915, destroyed this building, and the owners immediately erected a substantial brick building on the same site. The arched doorway is one of the unique features of this large stable, which has a record of housing twp hundred mules at one time.

In 1919, the Boll Weevil so deflated the farm economy that many businesses failed. Among them was the Coffey Rigby Livery Stable, which passed into out-of-town hands, where it remained until bought by Sam Richman. No longer a livery stable, it is now the property of Sen. John C. Land, III and houses the Land, Parker & Welch Law Firm.

The Old Robert Eli McFaddin Plantation Home

Robert Eli McFaddin, Sr. built this home in 1854 with the help of his nephew John Brogdon McFaddin, the son of Joseph Sidney McFaddin. One of the farm workers was able to help build the house with a foundation of tall brick pillars and great hewn sills held together with wooden pegs. Square nails and cypress shingles were made on the plantation. It is rumored that a Ghost that lives in the attic and peers out the rear windows, and may be seen in the late afternoons. This Ghost once took the reins of Jeff’s horse on dismounting at the lot gate and handed them to Earl his brother.

The 1918 earthquake caused the biggest chimney to fall. It was replaced by Jeff D. McFaddin and also Clarence Wheeler the noted bricklayer of the community. Clarendon also designed and built the brick entrance at the gate way. This home was the site of the first Post Office for Sardinia. Robert Eli placed his finger on the map of Europe to choose an acceptable name for the community “Sardinia,” and named his son-in-law, David Eli DuBose, the first Post Master.

The home has been remodeled first by Jeff McFaddin and recently by his daughter Ruth and her husband Guy E. Slagle, Se. A few things remain such as Robert Eli’s picture over the mantle, the desk used as the Post Office, the old clock, Grand Ma’s little trunk, and the old diary and smoke house. Hurricane “Hugo” demolished the corn house, stable and barn that was used as a community square dance hall.

The Old Manning Library

The beginnings of the library in Clarendon county can be traced back to 1880 with the organization of the Manning Literary Society. In 1905, the Moses Levi family gave $1000 to be used for the building of the library. This gift was matched by the City of Manning and support generated from public subscriptions, private donations, silver teas, and bazaars made it possible to purchase the land on Brooks Street and the construction of the building began in 1909.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1941, the Santee Wildlife Refuge encompasses 15,095 acres. There are 1,425 acres of cropland, 2,350 acres of forest, 9,000 acres of open water, and 2,320 acres of shallow impoundments which include ponds, marsh, and swamp. More than 200 species of birds live or migrate through the refuge each year. Ducks and Canadian geese spend the winter there. Mammals living in the refuge include bobcat, deer, raccoon, squirrel, mink, otter, and fox. Alligators can be found living in the marshes and swamps. Sport fishing is permitted year round in the refuge.

Lake Marion

It is the largest lake in South Carolina, centrally located and with territory within five counties. The lake is referred to as South Carolina's inland sea. It has a 315-miles of shoreline and covers an area of nearly 110,000 acres (174 square miles). It is one of the fifty largest lakes in the U.S.

Lake Marion was created by the construction of the Santee Dam in November 1941. The dam was built across the Santee River to supply hydroelectric power, as part of the rural electrification efforts initiated under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'New Deal during the Great Depression.

Lake Marion and the Santee Dam are part of the state-owned electric and water utility Santee Cooper Hydroelectric and Navigation Project. This project also included the construction of the Pinopolis Dam (also known as the Cooper River Dam) which created Lake Moultrie, just downstream. It also consists of a diversion canal seven and a half miles long that connects the two lakes.

Lake Marion is fed by many tributaries, including Wyboo Creek, the Santee River, and numerous springs, including Eutaw Springs. The lake is named for the American Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion. His former home of Pond Bluff was one of those flooded when the lake was created.

Map of Lake Marion, Santee Dam, and Lake Moultrie

Santee Dam

It is the most sizable earthen dam in South Carolina – 8 miles long. Lake Marion is the upper of the two reservoirs created by the dam It comprises 110,600 acres of water. Lake Moultrie, larger than the Sea of Galilee, is the lower and smaller reservoir and covers 60,400 acres. It is named after General William Moultrie, another Revolutionary War hero, who also designed the State Flag of SC.

Palmetto Trail

Conceived in 1994, South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail is the state’s largest bicycle and pedestrian project, running from the mountains to the sea. This federally designated Millennium Legacy Trail is the signature project of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. It is one of only 16 cross-state trails in the U.S.

The Lake Marion Passage is a 33-mile section of the Palmetto Trail that skirts along the high water mark of the north side of Lake Marion in Clarendon county. Much of the land along the trail is open for hunting and users should wear bright colors during big game hunting seasons, from the middle of August to January. Because of the trail’s proximity to Lake Marion some sections may be flooded during the wet season. However, these wet conditions add to the beauty of the area with a profusion of wildflowers.Learn more about the 3 main sections of the Lake Marion Passage.

• Section 1 Santee to Jack's Creek Marina

• Section 2 Jack's Creek Marina to Halfway Swamp

• Section 3 Halfway Swamp to Mill Creek County Park

Manchester State Forest

Located in both Sumter and Clarendon counties,Manchester State Forest consists of approximately 28,675 acres of mixed pine and hardwood species native to the midlands of South Carolina. In 1989 the forest was severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Sixty-five percent of the timber base was destroyed. Since then hundreds of acres have been salvaged and replanted. Soil type is light sand, interspersed with swamps and bays.

Woods Bay State Park

The park is an oval-shaped depression, one of a number of Carolina Bays in the coastal plains, and is named for Andrew Woods, who once owned a grist mill there. Woods Bay offers a variety of natural habitats where many species of wildlife are found. The 1541 acre park includes a swamp with a marsh and cypress, oak and gum trees. Visitors may enjoy a boardwalk, canoe trail, nature programs, and a picnic area. A Nature Center, funded by Carolina Power and Light Company, is soon to be built and will provide an increase in educational programming opportunities.

Taw Caw Creek Park - A 36-acre recreation area in Clarendon county with fishing piers, boardwalks, a boat ramp, picnic ground, nature trails and playground.

“Taw Caw”Gentry – Grayson Home

“Taw Caw” is situated on the road leading to a creek by that name. This plantation home was built for Ezra Tindal. Members of the Sublett family and relatives of the Tindals lived there until T.H. Gentry bought it. It is now the home of his great granddaughter, Mary Anne Grayson Moore. Double steps lead to the second floor piazza, and the banisters and hand rails are all hand-turned. Built with slave labor from plantation timber, hand-sawed and hand planed, the massive girders underpinning the house are pegged together. Wide planks run the length of the large rooms without joints. The bricks in the enormous fireplaces and the hinges used for the doors and windows were all processed on the estate. The trees on the spacious grounds are in their third century of growth. This dignified home has double front doors adding to its hospitable atmosphere.

Davis House 'El Recuerdo'

'El Recuerdo' was built by Col. Edward Bertram Davis in 1815. This home is constructed entirely of heart pine and cypress with two circular stairways made of mahogany. The original window panes and shutters grace the mansion. Northern soldiers occupied this home during the 'War Between the States', and it was one of the few spared from flames.