Wedgefield, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wedgefield, South Carolina
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Sumter |
| Area | |
| • Total | 73.23 sq mi (189.7 km2) |
| • Land | 71.9 sq mi (186 km2) |
| • Water | 0.33 sq mi (0.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Population
(2000)
|
|
| • Total | 3,376 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip Code |
29168
|
Wedgefield is a small community in Sumter County, South Carolina, in the United States. It is called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own city government. It's also a "Census Designated Place" (CDP), which means the government counts its population for statistics.
The name "Wedgefield" comes from how the area looks. It's like a "wedge" shape pushing into the nearby High Hills of Santee. Long ago, in the 1700s and 1800s, many large farms called plantations were here. One famous family, the Singletons, lived here. A member of their family, Angelica Singleton Van Buren, even became a First Lady of the United States!
Today, most of the old plantations are gone. Only their cemeteries remain. Wedgefield is now known for its beautiful state parks and forests, which are great for outdoor fun. When the railroad came through in the 1800s, the center of Wedgefield grew where the railroad met Kings Highway and Wedgefield Road. It has its own post office with the Zip Code 29168. In 2000, about 3,376 people lived in Wedgefield.
Contents
Fun Places to Visit
Wedgefield is home to several cool spots where you can enjoy nature and learn about the outdoors.
- High Hills Outdoor Center: This center is part of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. It's the starting point for the High Hills of Santee Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This trail is a long path for hiking and biking across South Carolina. You can find the center at 2070 SC 261 South.
- Manchester State Forest: This large forest is based in Wedgefield. It's a great place for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. You can find it off SC 261 south at 6740 Headquarters Road.
- Poinsett State Park: Located off SC 261 south at 6660 Poinsett Park Road, this park offers beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures.
Getting Around Wedgefield
Knowing the main roads helps you explore Wedgefield.
- South Carolina Highway 261: Also known as Kings Highway, this is the main road that goes north and south through Wedgefield. It connects Wedgefield to Stateburg in the north and Pinewood in the south.
- Wedgefield Road (South Carolina Highway 763): This road starts in Wedgefield and heads east towards the city of Sumter.
A railroad line, now run by CSX Transportation, also goes through Wedgefield. It runs from Sumter and continues west. However, there are no passenger trains that stop in Wedgefield.
Historic Cemeteries
The Wedgefield area has several old cemeteries. They are important because they tell us about the people who lived here long ago.
- Singleton's Graveyard: This cemetery is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Troublefield Family Cemetery
- Wedgefield Baptist Church Cemetery
- Wedgefield Methodist Church Cemetery
- Wedgefield Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Famous People from Wedgefield
Wedgefield has been home to some important people in South Carolina and even national history.
- Richard Irvine Manning III (1859-1931): He was a Governor of South Carolina.
- Wyndham Meredith Manning (1890-1967): He was a South Carolina politician and the son of Richard Irvine Manning III. He was born in Wedgefield.
- Angelica Singleton Van Buren (1818–1877): She was the First Lady of the United States! She was born and got married right here in Wedgefield.
Media
The radio station WIBZ is licensed to broadcast from Wedgefield.
See also
In Spanish: Wedgefield para niños
