Williamsburg County is located in the southern tip of the Pee Dee District and encompasses 936.97 square miles. The county has an annual rainfall of 51.6 inches with an average yearly temperature of 62.5 degrees. January's average temperature falls to 44.0 and July's average temperature rises to 80.1.

Williamsburg County's total population according to the 2000 census was 37,217. Kingstree, the county seat, is the largest municipality with 3,496 residents, followed by Lane with 585, Hemingway with 573, Greeleyville with 452, and Stuckey with 263. The Town of Andrews, part of which is located in Williamsburg County, has a population of 3,068.

Williamsburg County has a large rural population with an abundance of clean air and water which equates an enviable quality of life. In Williamsburg County, residents enjoy a peaceful, small town atmosphere knowing that the luxuries and conveniences of metropolitan areas are less than 50 minutes away. Living in Williamsburg County means less traffic, friendly neighbors, and an abundance of natural beauty. A trip down Black River will certainly convince you that we are truly a "Sportsman's Paradise."

Interstate-95 is located 28 miles west, 1-20 is located 49 miles north. Major highways which dissect Williamsburg County are: SC Hwy 41/51; US 52; SC 261; SC 375; SC 377; SC 512; US 521; and SC 527.

Williamsburg County Airport serves Kingstree and Williamsburg County and is owned by Williamsburg County. The paved runway extends for 5000 feet. The facility is at an elevation of 68 feet at a distance of about 3 miles from Kingstree.

Hemingway-Stuckey Airport serves Hemingway and Williamsburg County and is owned by Cities Of Hemingway & Stuckey. The paved runway extends for 3386 feet. The facility is at an elevation of 54 feet at a distance of about 3 miles from Hemingway.

CSX Railroad's main line from Florence to Charleston goes through Williamsburg County, and includes Amtrak service to New York and Florida with a stop in Kingstree. Greyhound provides daily service also from the train depot.

History:

Williamsburg County was probably named for King William III of England (1650-1702). Scotch-Irish and French Huguenot settlers began moving into this part of the lowcountry around 1732, and in 1736 the township of Williamsburg was laid out on the Black River in the vicinity of the settlement of Kingstree. This area was part of Prince Frederick Parish, which in turn was part of Georgetown District.

In 1804 Williamsburg became a separate district, with the seat at Kingstree. A small part of Williamsburg later went to form Florence County in 1888. During the Revolutionary War many of General Francis Marion's men hailed from this area, including Major John James (1732-1791). The battles of Black Mingo (September 28-29, 1780), Mount Hope Swamp (March 1781), and Lower Bridge (March 1781) were all fought in Williamsburg County.

In later years the county has remained primarily an agricultural region. Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Joseph L. Goldstein grew up in the town of Kingstree.

For more detail on Williamsburg County history, visit the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber web site.

Williamsburg County is rich in history, with several locations and building noted on the state and National Register of Historic Places, including the County Courthouse, designed by Robert Mills.

Historic districts within the county include the Clarkson Farm Complex, covering 99 acres off U.S. Highway 52, 1.5 miles south of the intersection with U.S. 521 near Greeleyville. The New Market includes what is known as the McDonald--Rhodus--Lessens House located five miles south of U.S. 521 on U.S. 52.

The Kingstree Historic District includes much of downtown Main Street and surrounding blocks including 48 buildings within 100 acres, with businesses and homes dating back to the early 1800s. The oldest and most popular is Thorntree House (shown here), located on S.C. 527 (Nelson Boulevard) near the new Kingstree Recreation Park. This residence built by James Witherspoon dates back to 1700-1749.

These include the Brockinton-Scott House located at 221 W. Railroad Ave is a residence that is still privately owned. The Heller, M. F., House, also known as Arrowsmith House or Old Methodist Church Parsonage is located at 405 Academy Street. The Pressley, Colonel John Gotea, House, located at 216 Academy Street, is also known as the Pressley--Hirsch--Green House;Green, Wylma M., House. The Scott House, located at 506 Live Oak Street, is also known as the Scott-Hauenstein House.

Other historic sites in the county include The Salters Plantation House, located on State Road 97 at Salters, was added to the state registry in 2000 and dates back to the early 1800s, with seven buildings on 83 acres.

For more information and details about historic sites in Williamsburg County, visit the National Register of Historic Places .