Andersonville, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andersonville,
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 Andersonville,
Location in South Carolina
Andersonville,
Location in the United States
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| United States of America | South Carolina |
| Elevation | 656 ft (200 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Site inundated by Hartwell Lake | |
Andersonville was once a small town in Anderson County, South Carolina. It was founded around the year 1800. The town was named after Robert Anderson, a brave soldier from the American Revolutionary War.
Even though Andersonville was a busy place for making cloth and trading goods, it faced many problems. It was hit by floods several times. Also, new railroads were built that went around the town, not through it. This meant fewer people and businesses came to Andersonville.
Later, a big lake called Lake Hartwell was built. This lake covered what was left of the town. Today, Andersonville is a "Ghost town" because it no longer exists. The closest towns now are Hartwell, Georgia, across the lake, and Anderson, South Carolina, to the north.
Contents
History
How Andersonville Began
The town of Andersonville was started in a special spot. It was located where the Seneca River and the Tugaloo River joined together. In 1801, the government of South Carolina officially created the town.
The town got its name from Robert Anderson. He was one of the people chosen to plan out the new community.
Growth and Challenges
Andersonville quickly grew into an important center for trade and making textiles. Textiles are fabrics or cloth. Companies like the Southern Clock Company and several textile mills (factories that make cloth) were built there.
However, the town faced big problems. In 1840, a huge flood hit Andersonville. It destroyed the textile mills. The people rebuilt the mills, but another flood in 1852 ruined them again.
The Decline of the Town
As time went on, trains became a popular way to move goods and people. But the new railroad lines were built to bypass Andersonville. This meant trains went around the town instead of stopping there.
Because of this, river travel became less important. Andersonville lost its industries and many people moved away. The town's post office even closed in 1893.
Andersonville Today
Most of the area where Andersonville used to be was flooded when Lake Hartwell was built. This means the land was covered by water to create the lake. Many of the people buried in the old town cemetery were moved to Andersonville Baptist Church. This church is on the eastern side of the lake.
Today, all that is left of the old town is Andersonville Island. It is a narrow island about two miles long. It serves as a reminder of the community that once thrived there.
