The story of Edgefield, South Carolina is a long one, reaching back to the earliest period before any European settlers arrived when only Native Americans roamed the forests. It extends through the turbulent Colonial and Revolutionary periods, the formation of County government, the beginnings of the cotton boom, the years of antebellum prosperity, the development of Sectionalism, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the rise of Tillmanism and Progressivism, the devastation of the Boll Weevil, the Great Depression, World War II and the economic diversification as we moved into the modern era.      Edgefield is a unique place. Its history has earned it a national reputation for its politics, violence, agriculture of cotton and peaches, manufacturing of pottery and textiles, and religious and educational institutions. Its quintessential small town ambiance is epitomized by its Town Square and classic Court House and by the remarkable state of preservation of its public buildings, churches, homes and cemeteries. The Edgefield of today is at once a reflection of the affluence of its antebellum era and the commercial vitality of the late 19th century.
The People of the Town – including natives and newcomers alike – take pride in recounting the stories of the past and handing down to new generations the rich history which has made the community what it is. In the next few pages we tell some of the History. If you know of some new material to add, please click on the "Feedback" tab and tell your story of Edgefield's history as well.
Dunovant Store Circa 1894	printable version Introduction