1918 Map of Varnville

About this map

Hampton and Varnville anchor this 1918 survey of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the Charleston & Western Carolina Railway meets the Hampton & Branchville RR. The landscape is defined by the dense, sprawling wetlands of Caw Caw Swamp and the Whippy Swamp, providing a glimpse into an era when local industry was deeply tied to the timber found along the Lumber River. The map meticulously records the rural social fabric of the early 20th century, noting numerous segregated or small-community landmarks like Jackson Branch School, Enon Church, and McAlhaney School. Strategic river crossings such as Hickory Hill Crossing and Tutens Crossing connect the fragmented high ground between the Salkehatchie River and the Coosawhatchie River. Small-scale operations like Speaks Mill and Jenny and Platts Sawmill are scattered throughout the swamps, illustrating the specialized labor and transportation networks of the day.