Manning, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manning, South Carolina
City
The NRHP-listed Commercial Historic District in Manning.
Seal
Motto(s):  "Matchless For Beauty & Hospitality"
Location in Clarendon County, South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Clarendon
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	2.94 sq mi (7.60 km2)
• Land	2.94 sq mi (7.60 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	125 ft (38 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,878
• Density	1,321.29/sq mi (510.17/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	29102
Area code(s)	803, 839
FIPS code	45-44350
GNIS feature ID	1231518

Manning is a city in South Carolina, United States. It is the main town, or "county seat", of Clarendon County. In 2020, about 3,878 people lived there. The city is named after John Laurence Manning, who used to be the governor of South Carolina.

History of Manning

How Manning Began

In 1855, leaders in South Carolina decided to create a new county called Clarendon. They chose a group of people to find and buy land for a new town. This town would be called "the Village of Manning."

Thirteen men were chosen to find land for the new town. Later, five more men were picked to help build the courthouse and jail. Captain Joseph Copley Burgess gave the land for the town, courthouse, and jail. Soon after, Clarendon County started working on its own, with Manning as its main town.

Naming the City

Manning was named after John Lawrence Manning. He was a very important person in South Carolina politics. He served in the state's government and later became the Governor of South Carolina from 1852 to 1854. The first mayor of Manning was George Allen Huggins.

Early Buildings and Services

Manning got its first Post Office in 1856. The first Postmaster was Thomas S. Coogler. In 1910, the Hannah Levi Memorial Library was built. It was paid for by the children of Moses and Hannah Levi, in honor of their mother. This library was the only public library in the county for many years. Today, the building holds the Clarendon County Archives and History Center.

Challenges and Growth

Manning has faced many tough times. In 1865, during the American Civil War, a large part of the town was destroyed. This happened during "Potter's Raid" by Union soldiers, just before the war ended. Later, a big fire hit downtown Manning in 1895. A tornado also caused damage in 1915.

Despite these challenges, Manning grew. Railroads, lots of timber, and different types of farming helped the town succeed. In 1933, Highway 4 became U.S. Route 301. This made Manning a popular stop for travelers driving between Washington, D.C., and Florida. Today, Manning is near I-95, which brings visitors and people looking for a mild climate.

Pauline Clyburn and her children preparing tobacco in 1939.

Civil Rights and Leadership

In the 1960s, Manning was one of many towns where peaceful Civil Rights demonstrations took place. These protests helped show that African Americans in South Carolina wanted equal rights. The town also worked to follow court decisions that ended racial segregation in schools.

In 1969, Pansy Ridgeway became the first woman elected mayor of Manning. She served from 1970 to 1996. She was also the first woman to lead the South Carolina Municipal Association.

Recent Events

On April 5, 2022, a strong tornado hit Manning. It caused a lot of damage to homes, businesses, and trees on the western side of town.

Media and News

Manning has its own newspaper called The Manning Times. It comes out every week and is updated online daily.

Education in Manning

Local Schools

The local school district is Clarendon School District 2. For many years, Manning had separate schools for black and white students. In 1970, Manning Training School (for black students) joined with Manning High School (for white students). This was due to a court order to end segregation. Manning Training School then became Manning Middle School.

Other Learning Centers

Some families chose to create a private school called Laurence Manning Academy. Manning is also home to the F.E. DuBose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College. This college offers different programs for higher education. The town also has a lending library, the Clarendon County Public Library.

Geography of Manning

Where Manning is Located

Manning is located in the middle of Clarendon County. It is just east of Interstate 95. It is also where U.S. 301 and U.S. 521 meet.

From Manning, you can drive northeast on I-95 for about 48 miles to Florence. Or, you can drive southwest for about 35 miles to Interstate 26. Manning is just south of the Pocotaligo River, which flows into the Black River.

Nearby Areas

Manning covers an area of about 2.94 square miles (7.60 square kilometers), all of which is land.

		Sumter County	Florence County
	Calhoun County		Williamsburg County
		Clarendon County
	Orangeburg County		Berkeley County

Population and People

Manning's Population Over Time

Who Lives in Manning (2020 Census)

In 2020, there were 3,878 people living in Manning. These people made up 1,485 households and 1,036 families.

Famous People from Manning

Manning has been home to several notable people:

• Fred Bennett – A defensive back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals football team.
• David du Bose Gaillard – An engineer who helped build the central part of the Panama Canal. The Gaillard Cut in the canal is named after him.
• Marian McKnight – She won the Miss America title in 1957.
• Glenn Murray – A professional baseball outfielder who played for the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Peggy Parish – The original author of the popular Amelia Bedelia series of children's books.
• Darren Robinson (rapper) – A member of the hip-hop group The Fat Boys.
• Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. – A lawyer and politician who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
• Luther Vandross – A famous American soul singer who lived part of his childhood in Manning.

See also

In Spanish: Manning (Carolina del Sur) para niños