The small community of Montmorenci near Aiken received its name from a landowner who thought the area resembled a village in France of the same name. Montmorenci was comprised mostly of cotton plantations until train tracks were laid here by the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company in the 1830s. Opulent Greek Revival homes were built in the early nineteenth century by wealthy planters, and many of these houses remain today.
In February of 1865 the Battle of Aiken occurred when Federal troops, led by General Hugh Kilpatrick, entered the area on their way from Columbia to Savannah, Georgia. Federal troops used the grand homes of Montemorenci as their headquarters, and a skirmish broke out in the town between Kilpatrick and the Confederate General Joseph Wheeler.
The conflict culminated in nearby Aiken, where Kilpatrick was defeated by Wheeler and his men, giving the Confederacy a minor victory. The community rebuilt after the Civil War, repairing homes and establishing businesses and churches, such as Montmorenci Baptist Church (seen below), which was founded in 1870.
Montemorenci may be small in population, but it is big in beauty, featuring expansive landscapes of beautiful countryside. Some of the historic homes that were witnesses to the Battle of Aiken now serve as inns, affording guests the opportunity to experience a bit of local history. Because the community is so close to Aiken – “The Horse Capital of the South” – some of these grand inns even include horse boarding and pasture grazing for equine family members. How’s that for an amenity?
Montmorenci Info
Address: Charleston Highway, Montmorenci, SC 29839
GPS Coordinates: 33.527111,-81.634966
Montmorenci Map
Take Me There
I, too, was raised in Montmorenci. Graduated from Aiken High in 1968. Have been doing research for some time. Have a copy of the incorporation paper from 1897. The information I have states that the name came from Charles Woodward, who settled there after the Revolutionary War. Prior to that, he made a trip into Canada with Daniel Morgan (probably during the war) and stayed at a “comfortable French home on the Montmorenci River near the falls of the same name near Qubec”. Jerry, hope you are doing well. Would like to get in touch. I am in Columbia.
Jerry here, just read Clara’s comments and was really surprised to here that her husband remembered the name pole cat, that is what I grew up knowing it was called also. Cool!
Hey Jerry! It makes us so happy to hear that you enjoyed the page and reflecting on your memories, what great comments! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Hello, just happened to come across your website searching for info about Montmorenci, I was born in Montmorenci in 1954. Lived all my youth, graduated Aiken High 1972. In Greenville area since 1976. Enjoyed pics, raised in baptist church, cool memories. Thanks, Jerry
Was coming home from Virginia to Ga,somehow made a long turn ended up in Montmorenci, passed a house with a creek running under it. It was so cool. This was back in the 1980s. Would love to go back. My husband now (he was not at that time) said he lived there as a small boy. Some people called it pole cat?