Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Axtell Dam at Sawmill Branch

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. The Axtell Dam at Sawmill Branch Marker

Inscription. On a primitive map of the land where the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company planned to build “New Summerville” in 1830, there appears a structure labeled “Old Dam.” This was the Axtell Dam, constructed about 1700, under the supervision of Daniel Axtell and his partners. At that time, the dam obstructed the flow of the creek known to local Native Americans as “Boshoe,” the water filled the ravines in the north and west. A nearby sawmill supported the work of the colonial lumbermen who labored in the adjacent pine forest. The extensive millpond flooded the area which is now Azalea Park, forming the reservoir for the Newington Plantation rice fields. Today, Boshoe is the sawmill branch and east of this marker, the broken remains of the Axtell Dam still rest in the woods.

Erected 2019 by Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Summerville, South Carolina.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1700.

Location. 33° 0.643′ N, 80°

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10.52′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County. It can be reached from Gahagan Road east of Berlin G Myers Parkway (South Carolina Route 165), on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the Sawmill Branch Walk/Bike Trail near the intersection of Gahagan Rd and Berlin G. Myers Pkwy. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Summerville SC 29485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Summerville Memorial Stadium (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coach John McKissick and his wife, Joan (approx. 0.4 miles away); Summerville High School / Coach John McKissick (1926-2019) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Timrod Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Timrod Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mayor Berlin G. Myers (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jewish Life (approx. 0.6 miles away); Guerin's Pharmacy (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.

Also see . . . Sawmill Branch Trail. Trail Link website entry (Submitted on November 8, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. The Axtell Dam at Sawmill Branch Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2024. This page has been viewed 994 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2024. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the dam remains • Can you help?