Born in Charleston, Robert Mills (1781-1855) was the architect of the Washington Monument and designed courthouses for 18 counties in South Carolina , along with many other buildings, including the Fireproof Building in Charleston.

The historical marker picture below reads:
“On this corner stood the gaol (jail), built in 1771 and burned in 1812. During the Revolution the British imprisoned in it many American soldiers and civilians. Among them, after his capture near the Waxhaws, was the boy Andrew Jackson, later seventh President. He is said to have watched the Battle of Hobkirk Hill through a hole he cut in the wall of the gaol’s second story.”

Adams Mill Pond and Big Pine Tree Creek overflow with lush vegetation. White water lilies bloom from the water, surrounded by fields of red and green lily pads.

Lily pads are typically green on the side which faces the sun. Wind and wildlife occasionally turn them over, revealing the deep red underside and lending additional color to the pond’s surface.

Big Pine Tree Creek Nature Trail takes a 1.7 mile loop through the forest at N.R. Goodale State Park. Markers denote native plants and trees, which include Loblolly Pine, Water Oak, Flowering Dogwood, Tulip Poplar, Eastern Red Cedar, and many more.

The wide trunks of the cypress trees in Big Pine Tree Creek serve as the perfect home for small plants and flowers. Big Pine Tree Creek was named for a fallen tree, once used by the Kershaw Indians to cross its waters. The creek winds through a cypress forest, opening occasionally to fields of swamp grass.

The Community Building at N.R. Goodale State Park offers a beautiful site at which to host weddings, parties, and other events. Picturesque views lend themselves to capturing the special day in photographs.

To learn more about Goodale State Park, read SC Wildlife Magazine’s excellent Goodale review. Be sure to check out other great Goodale pics – two pages’ worth!

Its strategic location meant it played an important role in the Revolutionary War, as the British occupied Camden in their effort to subdue the backcountry. Following heavy losses at the Battle of Hobkirk Hill in April 1781, the Redcoats left, burning most of the town.

Today, Camden retains much of its historic charm. Its downtown historic district is home to more than 60 historic buildings. Camden’s Springdale Race Course hosts the Colonial Cup in fall and the Carolina Cup in spring.

The photos in this gallery were taken during SCIWAY’s roadtrip to Camden in October 2008. For a more complete overview, check out the SCIWAY News article: Camden: A Trot Through History.