Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Georgetown’s Industrious Past

Port of Georgetown

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 3, 2017

1. Georgetown’s Industrious Past Marker

Inscription. Georgetown’s Industrious Past
Port of Georgetown Indigo was first introduced to the area around the 1740's and served as Georgetown's first principal cash crop. Taking advantage of British bounties for indigo, highly prized as a clothing dye in Europe, an elite class of indigo plantation owners and merchants evolved and formed the Winyah Indigo Society, which in 1755 established one of the first free schools in America. The Revolutionary War brought an end to the indigo trade with England and eventually indigo was replaced by rice. The turn of the twentieth century brought much needed prosperity to Georgetown. Lumber became a big industry in Georgetown in the late 1800's. By 1913, the Atlantic Coast Lumber Company, located in the bend of the Sampit River, was the largest lumber mill on the East Coast. In 1936, International Paper built a mill in Georgetown, which grew to be the largest paper mill in the world. In the late 1960's, the steel mill was built on the site of the Atlantic Coast Lumber Company. Both mills are still in operation. Georgetown County also is home to more than 100 other businesses and industries that

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manufacture everything from additives for the cosmetic industry to polyethylene liners for landfills.

Erected by Georgetown Business Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 33° 22.047′ N, 79° 17.19′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. It can be reached from the intersection of King Street and Front Street, on the left when traveling south. Located on the Georgetown Harborwalk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown SC 29440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

and on Waccamaw Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 3, 2017

2. Georgetown’s Industrious Past Marker

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgetown Steel Corporation (here, next to this marker); Joseph Hayne Rainey Park (a few steps from this marker); Kaminski House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); 24 Pound Naval Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); The Charters of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kaminski House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Georgetown (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Hayne Rainey (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Also see . . . Georgetown, South Carolina History. City website entry (Submitted on June 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,128 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.