Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Summerville Water Works
In 1930 the Summerville Water Works opened at this site. A project of the city Commission of Public Works, it was the central plant for the town's first public water system. Upon opening, the facility included a one-story fireproof pumphouse, a 300,000-gallon covered concrete reservoir, and an 100,000-gallon water tower. The system included 14 miles of water mains, drew from artesian wells, and had around 50 customers.
In 1936 a filtration plant was added to the site with support from the Public Works Administration (PWA). In 1951-52 the city water department moved to a plant on Bacon's Bridge Rd. near the Ashley River. By then the system had grown to more than 1,200 users. Remaining from the original plant are the reservoir and pumphouse. The latter has been expanded and extensively renovated and later housed the town police station and museum.
Erected 2024 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Summerville Museum and Research Center. (Marker Number 18-35.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 33° 1.183′ N, 80° 10.466′ W. Marker is in
this page online
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: Guerin's Pharmacy (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mayor Berlin G. Myers (about 600 feet away); Jewish Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alston Graded School / Alston High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Timrod Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Timrod Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Axtell Dam at Sawmill Branch (approx. 0.6 miles away); Summerville High School / Coach John McKissick (1926-2019) (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
