Ridgeland in Jasper County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ridgeland
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 2007
1. Ridgeland Marker front
Ridgeland, named for its location on the ridge between Charleston and Savannah, has been the seat of Jasper County since the county was created in 1912. It was first named Gopher Hill and grew up around a depot built on the Charleston & Savannah RR in 1860. The tracks were the boundary between Beaufort and Hampton counties, and Ridgeland belonged to two counties until 1912.
Chartered and incorporated in 1894, Ridgeland had a population of about 500 when it became the new seat of Jasper County in 1912. The Georgian Revival courthouse was designed by William Augustus Edwards and built in 1915. U.S. Hwy. 17, constructed in the 1920's has long brought many visitors through the town on their trips to and through the lowcountry.
Erected 2004 by The Town of Ridgeland. (Marker Number 27-24.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 32° 28.89′ N, 80° 58.963′ W. Marker is in Ridgeland, South Carolina, in Jasper County. Marker is on W Main St ( SC-336 ). Marker at Railroad Crossing, Eastside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ridgeland SC 29936, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gopher Tortoise Square (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul's Methodist Church
this page online
Also see . . . About Ridgeland. Town website homepage:
Originally named Gopher Hill by the Plant System, which built the railroad in the mid 1800's from Charleston to Savannah, and incorporated under that name in 1894, the town officially became Ridgeland in 1902 when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad took over the "line" and built a new depot about one mile north of the original "station." The name, Gopher Hill, was derived from the "gopher tortoise", which was once indigenous to the area but that name was not considered good enough for a new railroad station. Since the town was located on the highest hill between Charleston and Savannah it was renamed Ridgeland. (Submitted on June 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2007
2. Ridgeland Marker side 2
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
3. Ridgeland Marker, looking west on Main Street
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
4. Ridgeland Marker, looking back east along Main Street
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
5. Ridgeland Town Clock
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2007
6. Ridgeland 's Gopher Tortoise Monument
Ridgeland's original name was Gopher Hill, so named for the Gopher Tortoise
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
7. Jasper County Courthouse located in Ridgeland
The Georgian Revival courthouse was designed by William Augustus Edwards and built in 1915.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,436 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
