Ferguson Is South Carolina’s Underwater Ghost Town Hidden Beneath Lake Marion

The history of South Carolina's man-made lakes includes accounts of entire towns that were moved to make way for the new lakes. In a few cases, at least parts of some towns were flooded, with buildings having not been moved at all. Such is the case with the state's largest lake. You may be surprised to learn there's a fascinating underwater ghost town in South Carolina beneath Lake Marion, and part of it can be seen above the waterline.

The History of Ferguson, South Carolina

The story of Ferguson, South Carolina, is incredibly unique. A little more than a hundred years ago, the town of Ferguson sprang up after a man from Chicago started a large lumber mill at the site. It was a thriving little lumber town on the banks of the Santee River. In its heyday, Ferguson had a church, a hotel, and a school, among other things. One of the roads leading to the landing from which you can access Ferguson by boat was the old railroad bed for the rails that carried the wood from the lumber company.

The land was actually purchased by two gentlemen from the Windy City: Francis Beidler and Benjamin Franklin Ferguson; however, Ferguson died before the mill (and town) were built. When Beidler got the mill up and running in 1910, the town's growth soon followed with cottages and other amenities. The town had everything from indoor plumbing and electricity to railroad access and roads.

Beidler named the town Ferguson after his deceased business partner. The mill was named the Santee River Cypress Lumber Company. Sadly, only five years later, in 1915, Beidler lost his eyesight and closed the mill. He died in 1924.

Why Ferguson Ended Up Beneath Lake Marion

The few surviving details of Ferguson illustrate the mill as being a massive operation. Because much of the town's growth was intertwined with the mill, the town soon faded upon its closure. The Santee River was dammed to create Lake Marion to supply hydroelectric power to rural South Carolina, an act that fell under the rural electrification effort instituted as part of FDR's New Deal.

By the 1930s, the project to build Lake Marion was well underway. The mill at Ferguson was abandoned by then and was subsequently flooded when Lake Marion was filled with water.

Known as the Santee Cooper hydroelectric project, this large-scale public works initiative was developed during the Great Depression. As a result, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie were both created between 1939 and 1942 to provide renewable energy to the area and create much-needed jobs, rendering Ferguson just another abandoned South Carolina town.

What Remains of This Underwater Ghost Town in South Carolina Today

Today, the most visible signs of Lake Marion's underwater town are easily seen by canoe or kayak. One of the kilns is located on the edge of the "island." It juts up proudly out of the water and is an eerie representation of what lies beneath the waters of Lake Marion, at least at this spot on the lake. Much of the original structure has collapsed over the passing years, but some of the outer walls are still visible, showing the old brick walls and roof.

The kiln is located on the north side of the island, along with a few other above-water skeletal remains of this ghost town. Over a decade ago, a drought in South Carolina made it possible to walk the few hundred yards from Ferguson Landing Way to the dried-up and exposed ghost town. During the drought, Times and Democrat columnist Dr. John Rheney of Orangeburg walked on foot from Ferguson Landing to the skeletal remains of Ferguson. The drought exposed the town, making it possible to see it all.

You won't find much else in this area today other than the remains of these forgotten pieces of Lake Marion history. There used to be a local restaurant and pub at the end of Ferguson Landing Way. It was called The Brickyard. Unfortunately, The Brickyard at Ferguson Landing closed in 2018.

Can You Visit Ferguson?

While you can easily visit Lake Marion, it's impossible to get to Ferguson, South Carolina, by foot today. Instead, the closest access to the ghost town of Ferguson is from Ferguson Landing Way in Eutaw Springs. You can only reach this Lake Marion ghost town by boat, so if you truly want to see what remains of this long-lost town, you'll need to rent a kayak or canoe.

Here, you can depart from Ferguson Landing near the Taylor Campground, paddle out past the rows of cypress trees in the water, and reach the ruins of the old lumber kiln on Ferguson Island. Still, if you decide to paddle out to this abandoned area, be extremely careful. Old structures like these can and have collapsed, so be sure to avoid paddling too close and take any photos from a safe distance.

You may be able to see more structures poking out of the water if the water levels are particularly low. Otherwise, the kiln is usually the only remaining structure still visible.

More South Carolina Ghost Towns Worth Exploring

Looking for more abandoned towns in South Carolina? There are plenty more South Carolina ghost towns waiting to be discovered. So many, in fact, that you could even embark on your own ghost town road trip.

While you won't find many other submerged towns in South Carolina like Ferguson, we do have several intriguing ones that remain above ground, like this historic ghost town along the Cooper River.