Camden, South Carolina

Camden is a city in and the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,682 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Camden is located at (34.259146, -80.609161).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.3 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (25.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (1.23%) is water.

History

Camden is the oldest inland city in South Carolina. In 1730, Camden became part of a township plan ordered by King George II. Kershaw County’s official web site states, “Originally laid out in 1732 as the town of Fredricksburg in the Wateree River swamp (south of the present town) when King George III ordered eleven inland townships established along South Carolina's rivers, few of the area settlers chose to take lots surveyed in the town, choosing the higher ground to the north. The township soon disappeared.” In 1758, Joseph Kershaw, from Yorkshire, England came into the township, established a store and renamed the town Pine Tree Hill. Camden became the inland trade center in the colony. Kershaw suggested that the town be renamed Camden, in honor of Lord Camden, the champion of colonial rights.

May of 1780 brought the American Revolution to Charleston, South Carolina, and Charleston fell. Lord Charles Cornwallis and 2,500 of his troops marched to Camden and established the main British supply post for the Southern campaign. The Battle of Camden, the worst American defeat of the Revolution, was fought on August 16, 1780 in Camden and another battle between around 1,400 American troops led by General Nathanael Greene battled with 950 British soldiers led by Lord Francis Rawdon on April 25, 1781. The last battle was a costly win for the British, but it forced the Redcoats to leave Camden.

Camden was not involved directly with the Civil War, however did send a few generals. Camden moved on from the war, and in 1885, it became a place where rich Northern families would migrate to in the winter. The town became associated with many equestrian activities, and is now the home of the third oldest active polo field in America. In the winter, more than 1,500 thoroughbreds call the field home. According to Kershaw County’s web site, “Horse related activities became very popular. That interest in equine activities has continued and today the horse industry is a major part of the county economy. For that reason, the county is known as the ‘Steeplechase Capital of the World’.”

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,682 people residing in the city limits, in 2,874 households and 1,813 families. The population density was 692.2 people per square mile (267.4/km²). There were 3,283 housing units at an average density of 340.1/sq mi (131.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.72% White, 37.19% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 2,874 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,209, and the median income for a family was $53,056. Males had a median income of $37,342 versus $26,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,037. About 13.1% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

The Carolina Cup

The Carolina Cup is an annual event held on either the final Saturday in March or the first Saturday of April. The first race was held March 22, 1930 and has been held every year since, with the exception of 1943 and 1945, during World War II. The races have become a South Carolina tradition, and normally draws a crowd of over 70,000 spectators. The "Cup" has become a premier social sporting event. Springdale Race Course is also home to the Marion du Pont Scott Colonial Cup held on the third Sunday in November annually.

Among major steeplechase horse races, it is unique in that because of South Carolina state law, gambling on horse racing is prohibited.

Education

• Camden High School
• Applied Technology Education Campus (ATEC)
• Camden Middle School
• Camden Elementary School of the Creative Arts
• Pine Tree Hill Elementary School
• Jackson Elementary School
• Camden Military Academy

Transportation

• Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot

Trivia

• Soulsinger Brook Benton was born in Camden.
• Two Major League Baseball players were born in Camden, Hall of Famer Larry Doby (1923) and former California Angels catcher Ike Hampton (1951).
• Three NFL players were born in Camden, Bobby Engram, Vonnie Holliday, and practice squader Charles Bennett.

References

External links

• Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Center