Best Small Towns In South Carolina: Orangeburg County

If you’re looking for the best small towns in South Carolina, you’ll find that there are a lot to choose from. From visually stunning towns to those infused with character, there’s just no shortage of places to fall in love with here in the Palmetto State. Today’s feature destination certainly qualifies, and it has a particularly unique claim to fame. Here’s more on the town of Branchville, South Carolina.

This little town is home to the world's oldest railroad junction.

The first settlement was in 1735 at the branch of an old Indian trail leading from Charleston. It split at an old oak tree, which is no longer there.

One branch of the trail led to the west, joining other trails at what was then called Fort Monroe, now known as North Augusta. The other veered north, following the north Edisto River toward what is now Orangeburg and continued to the town of Granby, now known as Cayce.

Traders eventually began using the trail from Charleston to "The Branch" and would work out of that point to the west and north. They brought goods to the junction until enough had accumulated to be hauled to Charleston for sale or to be shipped overseas.

As time progressed, community life developed among the settlers. The community grew over time and in 1832, the South Carolina Railroad's tracks reached Branchville.

When the railroad company extended its rails on to Hamburg, across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia, and to Orangeburg and Columbia, Branchville became the first railroad junction in the world.

Branchville's importance as a rail center continued to grow, and at one time there were 16 trains, passenger and freight, passing through the junction.

Today, only one passenger train passes, coming and going each day.

The town celebrates its railroad junction with a fun annual festival in September, the Raylrode Daze Festivul.

This historical photo is of the junction in 1907.

The Branchville Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rear of the structure houses the Eatery at the Depot, which serves dinners on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Have you ever been to Branchville? What did you think of this unique small town in South Carolina? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! If you need the perfect home base while you’re exploring the area, be sure to check out this list of unique vacation rentals in Orange County, South Carolina.

Do you have an interesting or favorite South Carolina small-town claim to fame story that’s different from this one, perhaps from a different part of the state? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

And check out these other nine charming small towns in South Carolina that the state just wouldn’t be the same without.

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Beth C. | November 20, 2023

What are some of the most charming small towns to visit in South Carolina?

As you can probably imagine, South Carolina is brimming with picturesque small towns. Below you'll find a list of some of the most charming small towns to visit in South Carolina:

McClellanville -- first known as the St. James-Santee Parish region which was first settled in the 1600s
Pawley's Island -- famous for becoming a retreat away from the river during mosquito season
Sullivan's Island -- site of a major Revolutionary War Battle
Cheraw -- home of the famous St. David's Church, which was built in 1774
Rockville on Wadmalaw Island -- historically a summer escape for Southern planters
Chesterfield -- home of the first secession meeting held in South Carolina in 1860
Edgefield -- part of the Great Wagon Road
Blackville -- a historic railroad town with one of the state's most beautiful community libraries
McCormick -- hosts an annual McCormick Gold Rush Festival to celebrate the historic gold mines

Of course, these are just a handful of the countless charming small towns in South Carolina you can visit. For more information on the places mentioned above, be sure to check out our full list of picturesque towns in South Carolina to explore.

What small towns in South Carolina have the best restaurants?

There are so many bucket-list-worthy restaurants in South Carolina, both in the state's biggest cities and smallest towns. Below you'll find a list of some of the most incredible restaurants in South Carolina:

Dinoland Cafe - Myrtle Beach
Hans & Franz Biergarten - Greenville
Hampton's - Sumter
Revival - Charleston
Jianna - Greenville
Lucy Bell's - Daufuskie Island
Luvan's Fish Camp - Conway
Mill Pond Steakhouse - Rembert
Scott's BBQ (the original location) - Hemingway
Hershberger's Bakery - Fair Play
Pane E Vino - Hollywood
Poe's Tavern - Sullivans Island

Have you ever visited any of the above eateries? For more information about what makes each place so special, be sure to check out our full guide to the best restaurants in South Carolina -- there's one for every month of the year!

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Branchville, SC 29432, USA

We Bet You Didn't Know This Small Town In South Carolina Was Home To The World’s Oldest Railroad Junction

AnneMarie

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