Near Wateree in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Congaree River Ferries

Photographed by Kevin L Smith, November 27, 2016

1. Congaree River Ferries Marker

Inscription. (side 1)
Joseph Joyner owned a private ferry on the Congaree River near this site by 1749. John McCord's private ferry succeeded Joyner's by 1757, becoming public in 1766 by statue. A route from Charleston to Camden crossed the river at McCord's Ferry. Due to its strategic location, the ferry figured in actions on the south side of the river during the Revolutionary War. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) As the river cut a new channel, isolating the oxbow lake now called Bates Old River, a second ferry was chartered in 1845. This ferry was operated by the Bates family from the Civil War until bridges replaced both crossings in the 1920s. U.S. Hwy. 601 crosses the old river west of the McCord's Ferry site and the Congaree River two miles downriver from the former Bates Ferry site.

Erected 2014 by Richland County Conservation Commission. (Marker Number 40 185.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1749.

Location. 33° 45.781′ N, 80° 38.533′ W. Marker is near Wateree, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is on U.S. 601 2.4 miles south of 2 Rivers Road (South Carolina Highway 267), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Matthews SC 29135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Greater Columbia Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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,

one of the

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Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John M. Bates Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Obstinate and Strong" (approx. one mile away); Rebecca Motte and the Revolution (approx. one mile away); Leading the Way to Victory (approx. 1.1 miles away); Challenging the Rebellion (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Key to the Carolinas (approx. 1.3 miles away); McCord's Ferry: The Charleston to Camden Connection (approx. 1.4 miles away); Crossing the Congaree (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wateree.

Congaree River Ferries Marker - other side image. Click for full size.

October 2, 2015

2. Congaree River Ferries Marker - other side

October 2, 2015

3. Congaree River Ferries Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2017, by Kevin L Smith of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,788 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 16, 2017, by Kevin L Smith of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2018. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.