Most People Have No Idea This Underwater Town In South Carolina Even Exists
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Robin Jarvis
Author
Lake Marion is officially the largest lake in South Carolina. It spreads into five counties, has 315 miles of shoreline, and was created by the construction of the Santee Dam in 1941. The dam is an earthen structure that’s approximately eight miles long.
The Palmetto State's inland sea affords endless recreational opprtunities for locals and visitors alike. A day on the lake is like a day in paradise for avid outdoor adventurists.
Spanning a whopping 110,000 acres, Lake Marion is in the top 50 largest lakes in the country. And while many of these stats may be news to you, there's another tidbit about this oasis that could come as a surprise as well.
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You'll find it here, at marker 62; its location indicated by the red pin on the map above.
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That's where you'll find what may be the only visible remnants of any of the communities that were flooded during the creation of the Santee Dam.
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It was a small timber town called Ferguson. The Santee River Cypress Lumber Company built the town after they got their mill up and running at this location.
But the mill would eventually close down, leaving the area residents in place.
By the late 1930s, the fate of Ferguson had been all but sealed by the creation of the dam and the new hydro plant that was planned to follow.
Today, you can see remnants of Ferguson in the outcropping of trees just off the shores of Lake Marion near Eutaw Springs. You have to be in a boat to view the partially underwater ghost town.
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If you head down Ferguson Landing Way in Eutawville you'll find the perfect landing to launch your hand-powered vessel. It's next to the local gathering spot and eatery known as BrickYard Grill and Pub. They're known for serving up a great steak with the most friendly locals smiles around. (A huge thanks to them for the use of many of the photos in this article!)
Many people in South Carolina may be aware that several towns were flooded over the years as the lakes in our state were created. But not many people know that the remnants of this town actually peek way above the waterline for everyone to see.
Have you visited Ferguson? Or do you WANT to? We’d love to know in our comments!
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