We live in a truly fascinating state, full of history, scenery, and great food. There’s also no doubt that there are some pretty quirky facts about South Carolina. Some of these facts are so bizarre they actually sound made up, as though someone may have been trying to impress or elicit a certain type of reaction. Yet, they are, indeed, accurate. True story.

1. Although Georgia is known as "The Peach State," South Carolina actually produces more peaches than any other state east of the Mississippi. Nationally, it is second to California!
The Peach Stand/Google Reviews
And the coolest gas station in South Carolina is also a convenience store/butcher shop/ice cream parlor all-in-one called The Peach Stand. Yes, you can buy peaches there as well as delicious peach ice cream and more!
2. Long before South Carolina was known as "The Palmetto State," it was called, "The Iodine State."
McArthur Farms/Facebook
This resulted from a 1920s agricultural marketing campaign touting elevated levels of iodine in the state’s produce. Strawberries, perhaps surprisingly, are a high source of iodine, and you can get some of the most delicious strawberry pie at a South Carolina farm market.
3. One of our islands, Morgan Island, is secretly home to 4,000 monkeys.
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The island is not open to the public and serves as a private research lab. You can view the monkeys from the water, though!
4. Sumter, perhaps best known as the home of Shaw Air Force Base and a historic battlefield, has the world's largest ginkgo biloba farm.
Google Maps [streetview]
joannawnuk/GettyImages
Garnay, Inc. covers 1,200 acres. Ginkgo Biloba is used as an herbal remedy to treat many conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
5. America’s first museum, located in Charleston, was established in 1773 by the Charleston Library Society.
Mattias Zackrisson/Google Reviews
Since its founding, the museum has always sought to serve as a resource for learning for people from all walks of life from around our state, the country, and the world.
6. One of the most famous pirates from the 1700s, Blackbeard, hailed from South Carolina.
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Take a fun award-winning tour in Charleston and learn more of the fascinating pirate history in South Carolina.
7. South Carolina does not have a professional sports team.
Eakin Howard / Contributor/Getty Images
That's right. And we're in good company along with Alaska and Hawaii. But this doesn't mean we don't love athletics. In fact, we more than make up for not having a pro team with staunch rivalry between fans of our college football teams!
8. South Carolina is the birthplace of both sweet tea and barbecue.
Nieshua Howard/Google Reviews
We even celebrate our sweet tea status by having the World's Largest Sweet Tea roadside attraction in Summerville. And while there is currently no BBQ roadside attraction, we are a part of the BBQ Belt and have our own BBQ Trail loaded with great places to indulge in this delicious food.
9. The World's Smallest Police Station is located in one of our smallest towns, Ridgeway.
Google Maps [streetview]
Prior to becoming a police station in 1940, it served as the town well. It's definitely road-trip-worthy!
10. Our beautiful Brookgreen Gardens is home to the world's largest collection of outdoor sculptures.
Brookgreen Gardens/Facebook
Located in Murrells Inlet, Brookgreen Gardens hosts special events and exhibits throughout the year, but the best time to visit, in our opinion, is at Christmas when you can experience one of the best Christmas lights displays in the country. You'll need to plan ahead as tickets often sell out.
11. The largest cat in the world resides in Myrtle Beach.
Tawny Antle/YouTube
Hercules lives at the Myrtle Beach Safari and has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. He weighs more than 900 pounds and stands more than 11 feet tall.


Which of these quirky facts about South Carolina is the most peculiar? Have you heard all of them before? Are there any we missed that are more bizarre than these? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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