Van Wyck, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Van Wyck, South Carolina
|
|
|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| County | Lancaster |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.09 sq mi (26.12 km2) |
| • Land | 10.03 sq mi (25.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 505 ft (154 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 848 |
| • Density | 84.51/sq mi (32.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
29744
|
| Area code(s) | 803, 839 |
| FIPS code | 45-73555 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1251287 |
Van Wyck is a small town in Lancaster County, South Carolina, in the United States. It is located in the northern part of the county. This town is also part of the larger Charlotte metropolitan area, which means it's close to the big city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Van Wyck is about 29 miles south of Charlotte.
The town of Van Wyck was first started in the 1880s. The Seaboard Air Line Railroad wanted to name it "Cocheecho" after a young Native American chief. But the people living there preferred "Little Waxhaw." This caused problems with the U.S. Postal Service because it was too similar to nearby Waxhaw, North Carolina.
So, the name was changed again to "Heaths." This was to honor the Heath family, who gave land for the train station. However, this name also caused confusion with another town called Heath Springs, South Carolina. Finally, a railroad agent suggested naming the community "Van Wyck." This name came from his wife's family in New York. "Van Wyck" is a Dutch name meaning "district" or "settlement."
There are a few ways people say "Van Wyck." Some say "Van Wick," some say "Van Wack," and others say "Van Wike." Families who have lived in the area since the 1880s usually say "Van Wike."
On August 15, 2017, the people of Van Wyck voted to officially become a town. This means they could elect their own leaders. Sean Corcoran became the first mayor of Van Wyck.
Two important old buildings in Van Wyck, the Adam Ivy House and the Massey-Doby-Nisbet House, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This list helps protect special historic places.
Contents
Exploring Van Wyck's Location
Van Wyck is located in the northern part of Lancaster County. To its west is the Catawba River, and to its east is Union County, North Carolina.
Main Roads and Travel
You can find U.S. Route 521 on the eastern side of Van Wyck. This road goes south about 10 miles to Lancaster, South Carolina, which is the main town of the county. If you go north on US-521, you'll reach Charlotte, North Carolina, about 29 miles away.
South Carolina Highway 5 runs through the southern part of Van Wyck. It connects to US-521 in the east. If you travel west on Highway 5, you will get to Rock Hill, South Carolina, which is about 12 miles away. Another road, Highway 75 (also known as West Rebound Road), goes through the middle of the town, just south of the original town center.
Who Lives in Van Wyck?
This section tells us about the number of people living in Van Wyck.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 848 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2020 United States Census, 848 people lived in Van Wyck.
Famous People from Van Wyck
- Shawn Crawford is an Olympic runner who grew up in Van Wyck. He is known for his speed and athletic achievements.
