Aiken County, South Carolina

1953 Gas Explosion 200th Anniversary of the United States Aiken Aiken County Aiken County 125th Anniversary Aiken County Confederate Monument Aiken County Courthouse Bell Aiken County Farmers' Market Aiken County Museum Aiken First Baptist Church Aiken Hospital / Aiken County Hospital Aiken Institute Aiken Vietnam War Monument Author Jeff Scott Battle of Aiken Beech Island Agricultural Club Beech Island Baptist Church Boeckh Park Camp Butler Capt. Dempsey Hammond Salley Coker Spring Coker Spring Commemorative Memorial Defense of Aiken Downer Institute & School / Downer School, 1924–1986 First Presbyterian Church of Aiken Frederick Ergle Log Cabin Graniteville Cemetery Graniteville Mill Graniteville Train Derailment Grenada • Panama • Persian Gulf Tribute H. Odell Weeks Hamburg Hampton Terrace Hotel Highland Park Hotel Historic Church Hitchcock Woods Hofmann Indian Head / The Middle Road Jacksonville School / Jacksonville Lodge James F. Byrnes James U. Jackson Memorial Bridge / James U. Jackson (1856-1925) James Urquhart Jackson Jefferson High School / Rev. Austin Jefferson, Sr. Korean War Tribute Marie Cromer Seigler House Meriwether Monument Mexican War Tribute Millbrook Baptist Church North Augusta Original Survey of Aiken Pascalis Plantation / Pascalina Pickens - Salley House Redcliffe Plantation Revolutionary War Robert M. Bell Parkway Samuel Hammond Savannah River Plant Savannah River Site Savannah Town / Fort Moore Schofield School Silver Bluff Baptist Church Site of Ellenton South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company Spanish American War Tribute St. John's Methodist Church St. Thaddeus Church Storm Branch Baptist Church The Augusta & Aiken Railway The Crawfords Memorial The Detection of the Neutrino, 1956 / The Nobel Prize In Physics, 1995 The Martintown Road The One Room Schoolhouse The S.C. Railroad The Salley Family Transit Of Venus Observatory Structure, 1882 Viet Nam War Tribute Wagener Wagener Memorial Monument Wagener Museum War Between The States Tribute War of 1812 Tribute Water Trough and Drinking Fountain Western Terminus South Carolina Railroad Whitney Park William Aiken, Sr. William Bartram Trail William Gregg Woodmen Of The World World War I Tribute World War II POW Camp World War II Tribute WW I Memorial
Aiken County, South Carolina has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek, before European settlers arrived. The first European settlers were mainly of Scotch-Irish and English descent, and they were granted land in the region by the British in the mid-18th century.

The county is named after William Aiken, a prominent railroad executive and South Carolina governor in the mid-19th century. Aiken County played a significant role in the Civil War, with several major battles and skirmishes taking place in the area. The Battle of Aiken, fought in February 1865, was a significant Confederate victory that helped delay the advance of Union forces.

After the war, Aiken County's economy transformed from primarily agricultural to focus on other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The city of Aiken became a popular winter retreat for wealthy northerners, who came for its mild climate and equestrian activities. This led to the growth of the city's affluent Winter Colony, which included prominent figures such as Thomas Hitchcock and William C. Whitney.

In the 20th century, Aiken County continued to develop and diversify its economy. The Savannah River Site, a nuclear reservation, was established in the 1950s and became a major employer in the region. Today, Aiken County boasts a thriving economy with a mix of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The county also retains its rich equestrian heritage and is known for hosting prestigious equestrian events such as the Aiken Steeplechase and the Aiken Trials.
Brief timeline of the history of Aiken County, South Carolina:

  • 1871 - Aiken County is formed from parts of Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties.
  • 1875 - The town of Aiken is incorporated and becomes the county seat.
  • 1892 - Aiken becomes known as the "Winter Polo Capital of the World".
  • 1930s - The Savannah River Site, a nuclear reservation, is established in Aiken County.
  • 1941 - Camp Gordon Johnston, a World War II training camp, is built in Aiken County.
  • 1950s - The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission selects Aiken County as the site for the Savannah River Site nuclear facility.
  • 1989 - The Northside neighborhood in Aiken becomes part of the Aiken Downtown Historic District.
  • 2005 - Aiken County adopts a council-manager form of government.
  • 2019 - Aiken County celebrates its 150th anniversary.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Aiken County, South Carolina.

Audiobooks about the history of South Carolina.