Coosawhatchie, South Carolina

Last updated

Coosawhatchie, South Carolina
Census-designated place
SC 462 East from Old US 17 to I-95-US 17.jpg
Former US 17 as it approaches the intersection with SC 462 in Coosawhatchie
USA South Carolina location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Coosawhatchie
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Coosawhatchie
Coordinates: 32°26′N81°01′W / 32.433°N 81.017°W / 32.433; -81.017
State South Carolina
County Jasper
Area
[1]
 • Total0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2)
 • Land0.59 sq mi (1.52 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
203 ft (62 m)
Population
 (2020) [2]
 • Total57
 • Density97.10/sq mi (37.47/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
29912
Area code 843
FIPS code 45-16675

Coosawhatchie (koo-saw-HATCH-ee) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States at the northern head of the Broad River. It served as the headquarters for General Robert E. Lee during the early part of the American Civil War. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 57. [3] It is accessible from Interstate 95 via Exit 28.

Contents

History

The area derives its name from its original inhabitants, the Coosaw band of Native Americans and their word for river, hatchie. [4] A sub-group of the Muskogees, they spoke a mixture of the Muskogee and Koasati languages. Located on the King's Highway that stretched from Boston to Charleston, Coosawhatchie was settled by trappers in the 1740s. The town grew around a store owned by rice planter brothers, Henry and Daniel DeSaussure. [5] During the Revolutionary War, much of the town was burned by British troops in 1779. It became the seat of Beaufort District in 1788.

In 1810, the local court of equity was relocated to Coosawhatchie. Seven years later a new courthouse was constructed in town. Designed by British architect William Jay, the two story structure remained in use until 1840, when the county seat was moved to nearby Gillisonville. After 1840 Coosawhatchie declined somewhat due to the perception that its marshy terrain was unhealthy. [6]

During the Civil War, it was the site of several small battles. Robert E. Lee made his headquarters in Coosawhatchie when he was fortifying the coastal defenses of South Carolina and Georgia during late 1861 and early 1862. [7] To protect the railroad bridge in Coosawhatchie against Federal gunboats coming up the Broad River, Lee's troops dug massive earthworks along its banks. Lee bought and named his famous horse Traveller in Coosawhatchie. [8]

In 1912, Coosawhatchie became part of newly created Jasper County. [6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020 57—
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
2020 [10] [2]

2020 census

Coosawhatchie CDP, South Carolina – Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / EthnicityPop 2020 [10] % 2020
White alone (NH)610.53%
Black or African American alone (NH)4070.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)00.00%
Asian alone (NH)00.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)00.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)00.00%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)58.77%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)610.53%
Total57100.00%

Transportation

Roads

Rail

The CSX Railway's Charleston Subdivision (also known as the Charleston-Savannah Railway) currently operates both freight trains and passenger trains (via Amtrak) along the lines, but do not stop at Coosawhatchie. The line runs west of Nuna Rock Road, having run parallel to it as far south as Ridgeland, then has one grade crossing with Morgandollar Road (SC 462) until crossing a bridge over the Coosawhatchie River and running through the swampland surrounding that river.

Notable residents

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasper County, South Carolina</span> County in South Carolina, United States

Jasper County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,791. Its county seat is Ridgeland and its largest community is Hardeeville. The county was formed in 1912 from portions of Hampton County and Beaufort County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allendale County, South Carolina</span> County in South Carolina, United States

Allendale County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,039, making it the least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Allendale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effingham County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Effingham County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,769. The seat is Springfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardeeville, South Carolina</span> City in South Carolina, United States

Hardeeville is a city in Jasper and Beaufort counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 7,473 as of the 2020 census, an increase of over 150% since 2010. Hardeeville is included within the Hilton Head Island–Bluffton metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridgeland, South Carolina</span> Town in South Carolina, United States

Ridgeland is a town in Jasper and Beaufort counties, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,749 at the 2020 census, a 7.1% decrease from 2010. It has been the county seat of Jasper County since the county's formation in 1912. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Ridgeland is included within the Hilton Head Island–Bluffton metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 17</span> U.S. Numbered Highway in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States

U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 (US 17), also known as the Coastal Highway, is a north–south United States Numbered Highway that spans in the Southeastern United States. It runs close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length, with the exception of the portion between Punta Gorda and Jacksonville, Florida, and the portion from Fredericksburg to Winchester, Virginia, both of which follow a more inland route. Major metropolitan areas served along US 17's route include the Punta Gorda, Greater Orlando, and Jacksonville metropolitan areas in Florida, the Brunswick and Savannah metropolitan areas in Georgia, the Charleston and Myrtle Beach metropolitan areas in South Carolina, the Cape Fear and New Bern metropolitan areas in North Carolina, and the Hampton Roads and Winchester metropolitan areas in Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate 95 in South Carolina</span> Highway in South Carolina

Interstate 95 (I-95) is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about 50 miles (80 km) inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast. The route runs through the cities of Florence and Walterboro.

The Broad River is a tidal channel in Beaufort and Jasper counties, South Carolina. The channel flows between the mainland on the west and Port Royal and Parris islands on the east. The Coosawhatchie River flows into the Broad River at the head. It joins Coosaw River channel Northeast and continues Southeast to the Atlantic Ocean as Port Royal Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 278 in South Carolina</span> U.S. highway in South Carolina

U.S. Route 278 (US 278) is a 146.130-mile (235.173 km) east–west United States highway that traverses through the South Carolina Lowcountry, from North Augusta to Hilton Head Island.

Switzerland is an unincorporated community in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States. The community is part of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. The community's name comes from Swiss natives who originally came to South Carolina and had settled in the nearby Purrysburg settlement on the banks of the Savannah River, near present-day Hardeeville. Due to competition from Savannah and health issues, many of the settlers moved further inland and created the hamlet. In the past century, the population of the hamlet has dwindled in comparison to growth in Ridgeland and Hardeeville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Highway 170</span> State highway in South Carolina

South Carolina Highway 170 (SC 170) is a 49.010-mile (78.874 km) state highway, connecting northern Beaufort County with southern portions of Beaufort and Jasper counties. Due to increased population growth in both areas, the majority of the road is four lanes wide, with certain areas retaining the original two-lane configuration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 17 in South Carolina</span>

U.S. Highway 17 (US 17) is a 221.454-mile (356.396 km) north–south United States Numbered Highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina located near the Atlantic Ocean. The highway enters the state from Georgia at the Savannah River and serves Hardeeville, Charleston, Georgetown, and Myrtle Beach, before entering North Carolina near Calabash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Highway 802</span>

South Carolina Highway 802 (SC 802), is a 6.690-mile (10.767 km) state highway located entirely within Beaufort County, South Carolina. Also known locally as Sams Point Road, SC 802 serves as the principal arterial for Lady's Island and provides the only access to Coosaw Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Battle of Pocotaligo</span> Battle of the American Civil War

The Second Battle of Pocotaligo, or Battle of Pocotaligo Bridge, or Battle of Yemassee, often referred to as simply the Battle of Pocotaligo, took place during the American Civil War on October 22, 1862 near Yemassee, South Carolina.

Dale, South Carolina, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in northern Beaufort County in the southern corner of the state of South Carolina, U.S.A. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 633.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Highway 462</span>

South Carolina Highway 462 (SC 462) is a 35.920-mile (57.808 km) primary state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It serves as a circuitous routing through northern and eastern Jasper County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Highway 336</span> State highway in South Carolina

South Carolina Highway 336 (SC 336) is a 13.590-mile (21.871 km) primary state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It serves to connect Ridgeland with nearby U.S. Route 321 (US 321) and SC 462.

Gillisonville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jasper County, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 183.

Keowee Key is a lakeside community and census-designated place (CDP) in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. It is considered part of the Salem community. It was first listed as a CDP prior to the 2020 census with a population of 2,716.

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Coosawhatchie CDP, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ Hoyt, William D. (1952). "To Coosawhatchie in December 1861". The South Carolina Historical Magazine. 52 (1): 6–12.
  5. ↑ Migliazzo, Arlin C.; Lawrence S. Rowland (2007). To Make this Land Our Own: Community, Identity, and Cultural Adaptation in Purrysburg Township, South Carolina, 1732-1865. University of South Carolina Press. p. 295. ISBN   1-57003-682-9.
  6. 1 2 Coleman Karesh Law Library. "Coosawhatchie Courthouse". University of South Carolina School of Law. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  7. ↑ Stone, H. David (2008). Vital rails: the Charleston & Savannah Railroad and the Civil War in coastal South Carolina. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN   1-57003-716-7.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Clint (2001). In the footsteps of Robert E. Lee. John F. Blair. pp. 152–4. ISBN   0-89587-235-8.
  9. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  10. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Coosawhatchie CDP, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau .
  11. ↑ Marjorie Julian Spruill; Valinda W. Littlefield; Joan Marie Johnson (2012). South Carolina Women: Their Lives and Times. University of Georgia Press. pp. 52–. ISBN   978-0-8203-4215-3.
  12. ↑ Pease, Jane H.; William Henry Pease (2002). James Louis Petigru: Southern conservative, Southern dissenter. University of South Carolina Press. p. 20. ISBN   1-57003-491-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.