Most places in South Carolina are, in fact, steeped in fascinating history. But the backstory behind Andrew Jackson State Park is a real head-turner. The park, which opened in 1952, celebrates the only South Carolina born president. But whether our seventh U.S. president was born in South Carolina is a heated debate our adjacent neighbors to the north love to argue.
Most accounts agree that Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaw regions of the Carolinas on March 15, 1767.
But that's about all the two Carolinas can agree upon. Whether the actual birth took place on South Carolina (or North Carolina) soil is a heated debate that may never be settled with technical evidence one way or the other.
However, an unfortunate logging accident took the life of Andrew's father just three weeks before he was born. And that fact alone, may provide a theoretical hypothesis that supports his birth taking place on South Carolina soil.
Soon after her husband's untimely death, his wife moved in with a sister that lived either on the land that now makes up Andrew Jackson State Park — or on land that was very near to the park. So theoretically, she absolutely could have delivered Andrew on South Carolina soil at her sister's house.
Whatever the reasoning, most South Carolinians wholeheartedly believe Jackson was born here in our own back yard.
Our son, the Seventh President, and whose dignified portrait is etched into the twenty dollar bill of U.S. currency, is a celebrated part of our history as a state.
And there is nowhere in South Carolina that celebrates Andrew Jackson in such glorious acclaim than the South Carolina state park that (perhaps almost) marks the very spot in which he spent his childhood and may have even entered the world.
The park is a lovely blend of nature, art, history and celebration. There is a large bronze of Jackson depicted in his boyhood upon a horse. Standing below it, you can almost feel his presence still trotting that horse all around the field.
The park's office doubles as a museum and gift shop.
The museum contains items from the Revolutionary War as well as an educational outlay of what life in the South Carolina back country was like for Jackson in the 18th century.
In addition to the many historical offerings, Andrew Jackson State Park is also a diverse outdoor recreational oasis.
The park has a campground and offers fishing, boating, hiking and more. And on many years, there is a big birthday celebration at the park in honor of its namesake.
Andrew Jackson State Park is located at 196 Andrew Jackson Park Rd., Lancaster, SC 29720. Learn more at this link on the official website for South Carolina Parks.
Have you ever visited this small South Carolina state park? And do you believe Jackson was born in this Carolina? We know there will be plenty of feedback, so feel free to join the discussion!
For another amazing South Carolina state park that's filled with historic charm, keep reading here.
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