Walterboro in Colleton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hickory Valley

Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 2008

1. Hickory Valley Marker

Inscription. Near here in a hickory grove Paul and Jacob Walter built in 1784 summer houses which formed the nucleus of a summer colony which grew into the town of Walterboro. The first store in the town was here and later the first drug store. The park here was the center of community life until the cyclone of 1879 leveled most of the trees.

Erected 1957 by The Colleton County Historical Society. (Marker Number 15-11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 32° 54.259′ N, 80° 39.549′ W. Marker is in Walterboro, South Carolina, in Colleton County. Marker is on Wichman Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walterboro SC 29488, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walterborough Library Society (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hickory Valley (a few steps from this marker); St. Jude’s Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Peter’s A.M.E. Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Bethel Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Walterborough Academy

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Colleton County Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Colleton County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walterboro.

More about this marker. Hickory Valley: (Witsell Street) During September of 1980, Hickory Valley was designated as Walterboro's second historic district. Hickory Valley , largely a residential area, is located in the northwest corner of Walterboro. It contains 23 structures, 19 of which were deemed by the S.C. Department of Archives & History to contribute to the historic character of the district. Originally settled by Lowcountry planters, the area was a home for some of the town's founders and most prominent families. Most of the buildings were constructed between 1821 and 1929. .....Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry. Walterboro (originally spelled Walterborough) was founded in 1783 as a summer retreat for local planters looking to escape their malaria-ridden, lowcountry plantations. The original settlement was located on a hilly area, covered with pine and hickory trees and named "Hickory Valley."

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Hickory Valley Marker

Two of the earliest settlers were Paul and Jacob Walter. The two brothers owned plantations in nearby Jacksonboro, SC. Paul's small daughter Mary was taken ill with malaria, a common disease amongst the families who built their plantations in the marshy areas of the Lowcountry, suitable to rice production. To save Mary's life the two brothers went looking for a more healthy location in which to live during the summer months when mosquitos abounded and started the town that was later named for them. (Submitted on April 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Sun Dial in Park , mentioned in Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Sun Dial in Park , mentioned in Marker

Erected by City Council to Commemorate the Bicentennial of the settling of Walterboro 1784-1984 Mayor Elton L. Culpepper City Council ( Followed by members names )

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,339 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.