SCIWAY thanks Andy Hunter of Denmark for this information and great picture taken in August 2012.

Click here for more information about Holland McTyeire and Bamberg County history.

Moving the six-million pound courthouse was at the time one of the greatest house-moving projects ever undertaken in South Carolina!

The courthouse has two entrances, one being the handicap accessible entrance located at the backside of the building. Plenty of parking is available as well.

Get more information about the Bamberg County Courthouse.

SCIWAY thanks Michael Stroud of Bluffton for submitting this picture he took in May 2011.

When Confederate General Lafayette McLaws heard that Sherman and his army were on their way, he ordered that the bridges crossing the Salkehatchie Swamp be burned or blocked in order to stop them. The battle raged for two days, but eventually Union brigades encircled McLaws’ soldiers, forcing them to retreat. (The photo at the bottom of this page shows trenches left over from the fight.)

Today, visitors to the park can participate in guided tours and programs to learn more about battle and military life during the Civil War. Rivers Bridge State Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the park here.

The small town is known for its annual Dogwood Festival – even Denmark’s water tower is adorned with dogwood blossoms painted by renowned local artist Jim Harrison.

SCIWAY thanks Reverend Andy Hunter, who has been the pastor at the First Baptist Church for eighteen years, for submitting this picture and information. Andy took this picture during a snowstorm in February 2010. He wrote, “Snow is rare in Denmark, so I stayed up late to take this picture because I knew the snow wouldn’t last.”

Artist Jim Harrison grew up in Denmark and has lived there most of his life. Even though his talent as an artist has taken him to large cities such as New York and San Francisco, he chose to have his gallery in Denmark. Harrison’s love of small towns and rural life is very evident in his work.

Harrison’s career in art began over 50 years ago as an apprentice sign painter. He helped his mentor, J. J. Cornworth, paint advertisements such as Coca-Cola signs on barns and country stores. Harrison’s gallery is located in the same building where he learned the basics of art so many years ago. The gallery features original paintings as well as prints from his long career as an artist. Located on South Main Street, the Jim Harrison Gallery is open to the public.

SCIWAY thanks photographer Peggy Williamson for providing this great information!

The Charleston and Hamburg railroad was built in 1832 and brought lots of development to this area. Bamberg County was established in 1897, and was named for the popular local resident William Seaborn Bamberg. Many Germans, Swiss, Scots-Irish, English, and Huguenots eventually immigrated and settled here, which may explain some its town names such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Nearby Branchville in Orangeburg County has a wonderful railroad museum, if you are interested in learning more about South Carolina railroads.

This picture was taken by Jeremy Hutson of Springfield in March 2009 while he was visiting Bamberg County.

Today, the town closest to Mizpah Church is Olar. The church still has an active congregation and services are held regularly.

Learn more about Buford’s Bridge.

SCIWAY thanks Michael Stroud of Bluffton for sharing this photo taken in May of 2008.

Barry writes: “I was passing through Bamberg early one morning. I liked the colors and shadows of the early morning light on the old buildings downtown. Apparently, Bamberg is trying to revitalize the old downtown area. It’s hard to take a complimentary photo of this old town in decline, but I kind of liked the way this came out.”

The historical marker reads: “AT&T Building – This Georgian Revival building, completed in 1923, at the cost of $300,000, was the third Denmark office of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. In 1898, long-distance lines from Virginia to Georgia, and from Alabama to Charleston crossed here, making Denmark an excellent choice for a switching station. This building, described as ‘the most modern telephone plant in the south’ when it opened, carried calls from New York to Florida, and Alabama to the East Coast, for many years.”

Mike writes: “During WWII, the AT&T building, and nearby train depot were guarded by soldiers from Fort Stewart, Georgia. This building was an important link in the nation’s communications, and was considered a prime target for sabotage. This historic building is now a home to an antiques store on Carolina Highway, US 321. Kind of fitting for the times. I worked for 40 years in the telephone business, with and for AT&T, in buildings just like this, never thinking of the historical aspect.”