1957 Map of Sumter West

About this map

Shaw Air Force Base dominates the northwestern corner of this mid-century landscape, surrounded by the agricultural and forested lands of Sumter County. The area is characterized by an extensive network of swamps and branches, including the Green Swamp and Mush Swamp, which dictate the placement of rural settlements and transport routes. To the south, the Manchester State Forest and its associated State Forest Nursery highlight the region's managed timber resources. Local life is anchored by numerous rural houses of worship and small communities, such as St Pauls Ch, St Lukes Ch, and the settlement at Catchall-Spann. Transport and recreation are evident through the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and local tracks like the Gamecock Raceway, while the eastern edge shows the post-war suburban growth of Sumter and Millwood Gardens.