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| Orangeburg |
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hea and Alfred Swanson are originally from New York, but knew they wanted to retire to warmer climes. They visited Florida, Virginia and Kentucky, and made three trips to Arizona before happily settling in Orangeburg.
“It was the kindness of the people that convinced us,” she explained. “We’ve met several people here and every time people drive by, they wave.”
The couple had lived for a time in Beaufort during a stint in the military, so they had some familiarity with the area, but wanted to be inland a bit. She works for D’Anne Haydel, the county attorney for Orangeburg. He is a retired minister who enjoys gardening – a year-round option here. They’ve been to the Santee lakes and will probably go again. “I’m happy just seeing the water,” Mrs. Swanson explained.
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ne unexpected plus has been the abundance of antiques in and around Orangeburg. “We’re collectors, with most of our pieces dating from 1850 to 1900,” she said. “Not only are the antiques very lovely here, but they are much more affordable than those we’ve found in New York. This is great fun for us, and we are anxious to show our children and grandchildren this area.”
They’ll have plenty to show them. The Santee lakes of Marion and Moultrie are a paradise for anglers. Expect fulsome catches of bream, crappie, catfish and, its most famous inhabitant, the landlocked striped bass.
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Orangeburg County received the prestigious 2005 All-America County Award, which recognizes civic excellence. It has been known as the benchmark of community achievement for more than 50 years and competition is fierce for the honor.
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Nearby, the small town of Elloree has the reputation for some of the best barbecue and antique shopping to be found in the area, and there are more hidden gems that beckon. The Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center is a must-see attraction during a day trip to the area.
History hunters can explore to their hearts’ content, discovering old plantation homes, churches, graves, and of course, Branchville, with the oldest railroad junction in the U.S.
Nearby Orangeburg doesn’t have the lakes of Santee, but it does have the Edisto River.
For those who like their water in long, thin pathways, the Edisto offers canoe trips under Spanish moss, by wildlife, and through dark, winding forests.
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Closer to town, the Edisto Memorial Gardens have a wetlands park with a boardwalk that meanders along the Edisto River.
A water wheel is used to irrigate the gardens.
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Each year, the Orangeburg Festival of Roses
covers the gardens in thousands of rose blooms. The festival is held in May, the weekend before Mother’s Day and includes events for all ages, such as arts and crafts exhibits and sales, children's activities, tasty treats and live performances by a variety of local entertainers.
There are 16 golf courses in the five-county Santee region, along with three state parks and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, with its trails and boat landings.
Although cotton fields still dot the countryside, and hunters flock to the area, today’s residents are just as likely to enjoy hunting for a tiny white ball down a long green corridor.
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Aida Rogers has worked in newspapers, magazines, legal newsletters and television. The
USC graduate and Lexington, SC native currently is managing editor of Sandlapper,
The Magazine of South Carolina, for which she writes a column about the
most popular restaurants in The Palmetto State. Call her with your favorites
at (803) 808-1664.
Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management.
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