Hardeeville in Jasper County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7

Photographed By Michael Stroud, circa May 2005

1. Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 Marker

Inscription. This woodburning steam locomotive with balloon smoke stack, was built by the H. K. Porter Company about 1910. It was used by Argent Lumber Company, a leading area employer established in 1916, to haul timber from forest to mill. In 1960 the locomotive was donated to the Town of Hardeeville for public display as a logging and lumbering relic of this area.

Erected 1961 by Town of Hardeeville. (Marker Number 27 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 32° 17.14′ N, 81° 4.759′ W. Marker is in Hardeeville, South Carolina, in Jasper County. Marker is at the intersection of Main St (State Highway 46) and Charles St, on the right when traveling east on Main St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hardeeville SC 29927, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hardeeville United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Purrysburg Township (approx. 2.8 miles away); Historic Ship Anchor (approx. 7.3 miles away in Georgia); In Honor Of All Veterans (approx. 7½ miles away); The Village of Abercorn (approx. 7.6 miles away in Georgia);

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Houston Baptist Church (approx. 7.6 miles away in Georgia); St. Luke's Church (approx. 7.6 miles away); Goshen Church (approx. 8.1 miles away in Georgia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hardeeville.

Also see . . . S.C. Logging Locomotives. other pictures (Submitted on December 18, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Argent Lumber Company
An even more powerful force arrived when large timber companies began buying up former agricultural lands. The Argent Lumber Company, based in Hardeeville, arose in the early 20th century. H.W. Philips of Suffolk, Virginia, secured logging rights to the timber on the Okeetee Club, and contracted with the Garysburg Manufacturing Company of Garysburg, North Carolina, to mill the lumber in 1916. The Argent Lumber Company had a planing mill, dry kiln, and storage shed along the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Hardeeville. At the same time, Argent created a network of railroads throughout the county to bring the lumber from remote tracts. These railroad lines used narrow-gauge engines, and Argent's

Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 7, 2013

2. Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 and Marker

Engine Number 7 remains on permanent display at the Hardeeville City Hall. Several Argent mill houses remain in the County. Union-Camp Corporation purchased the Argent properties in the late 1950's.

Union Camp Corporation was an American pulp and paper company and a private owner of timberland in the United States. Union Camp Corporation originated with the merger of the Union Bag and Paper Company and the Camp Manufacturing Company. Each of these family owned companies had unique histories that led to the ultimate success of Union Camp until it was acquired by International paper. The Union Bag and Paper Company's history dates back to 1881 where it began as the Union Paper Bag Machine Company in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. The Camp Manufacturing Company was founded in 1887 by three Camp Brothers with the purchase of a small sawmill on the outskirts of their hometown of Franklin, Virginia. In 1999 Union-Camp was acquired by International Paper.

— Submitted December 18, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

2-8-0 Baldwin image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, May 2005

3. 2-8-0 Baldwin

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 7, 2013

4. Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 Marker

Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 , inside the cab image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 7, 2013

5. Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 , inside the cab

Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 Marker seen along Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 7, 2013

6. Narrow Gauge Locomotive No. 7 Marker seen along Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,855 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 18, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on July 7, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on December 18, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 7, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.