Wagener in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wagener Museum

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011

1. Wagener Museum Marker

Inscription. Prior to 1887 the area now known as the Wagener Community was called Guntersville, and its residents were primarily engaged in agriculture, for their livelihood. The coming of the railroad, "The Swamp Rabbit", in 1887 drew farmers, timberjacks, and entrepreneurs into town and connected their society to other towns along the route.
(Left text:)
The principal motivation for the railroad, the kaolin industry, opened Wagener to the outside world. Timber could then be transported to Charleston much faster than former days of Edisto River rafting. Wagener took its name from the Wagener brothers of Charleston who were merchants and influential developers of the railroad. Churches, schools, business establishments, and industry came to Wagener providing a desirable environment for its citizens. As time passed, the automobile and highway system brought an end to the railroad, but Wagener continued to grow and prosper.
(Right text)
The Wagener Museum (Picture included) endeavors to display documents and artifacts testamentary to the life and times of those citizens who have lived here since that Christmas Eve of 1887 when "The Swamp Rabbit" came chugging into town.

(Center Picture)
Wagener 1887

(Upper right picture)
The Wagener Museum and Wagon House

(Lower

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right Picture)
Exhibits on display in the Wagener Museum

Erected by South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 33° 39.086′ N, 81° 21.782′ W. Marker is in Wagener, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is on Lee Street N. near Old Ninety Six / Indian Trail (South Carolina Highway 39), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wagener SC 29164, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wagener Memorial Monument (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wagener (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Crawfords Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Commemorative Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away); Indian Head / The Middle Road (approx. 4.3 miles away); Old Indian Trail (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Salley Family (approx. 6.7 miles away); Capt. Dempsey Hammond Salley (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wagener.

Regarding Wagener Museum. kaolin, also called china

Wagener Museum Marker, center photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wagener Museum Marker,

2. Wagener Museum Marker, center photo

Wagener 1887

clay, soft white clay that is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of china and porcelain and is widely used in the making of paper, rubber, paint, and many other products.

Also see . . .
1. South Carolina's Information HighWAY (SCIway). Wagener, South Carolina (Submitted on February 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Abandoned Rails: The Former "Swamp Rabbit" Line. the railroad very quickly became a boon for the area's turpentine and pine lumber business, as well as crops such as cotton and asparagus, the town of Wagener's signature crop for many years. Watermelon, which grow particularly well in the Sandhill country, were another high quality crop for which Wagener became recognized well outside South Carolina. Wagener melons were said to be superior even to those grown elsewhere in the Sandhills region. They were shipped as far north as Rhode Island in open ventilated produce cars. (Submitted on February 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Wagener Museum Marker , rightside pictures image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wagener Museum Marker

3. Wagener Museum Marker , rightside pictures

Upper right picture: The Wagener Museum and Wagon House Lower right Picture: Exhibits on display in the Wagener Museum

Wagener Museum Marker, see on Lee Street North along Old Ninety Six / Indian Trail (State Route 39) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 27, 2011

4. Wagener Museum Marker, see on Lee Street North along Old Ninety Six / Indian Trail (State Route 39)

Wagener Museum , seen today at 12 Short Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 27, 2011

5. Wagener Museum , seen today at 12 Short Street

Museum Hours: Thursday and Friday, 8 am - 5 pm through the Town Hall entrance. Saturday, By appointment only

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,208 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.