Boykin is a small community nine miles south of Camden on SC 261. Founded by the arrival of the Boykin family in 1750, Boykin soon had a mill pond powering a grist mill. Milling brought activity and several other buildings were erected, including a church, general store, post office, tavern, and cotton gin.
Today, Boykin is home to the Broom Place, the Boykin Company Grille, and the Mill Pond Steakhouse. Grits milled at the Boykin Mill can be purchased at the Boykin Company Store.
Broom Place, pictured below, is located within a restored settler’s residence dating to the 1740s and is used to house the studio and storefront of Susan Simpson. Susan is an artist who creates traditional straw brooms, with a colorful twist, for customers far and wide.
Susan went from secretary to broom maker all on a whim after buying machinery, some 170 years old, from a woman in the local area. She is completely self-taught and is eager to share her techniques and passion to anyone who stops in. Because of this, business has boomed, so much so that she is no longer taking any new orders at the time due to a backlog of brooms she still has to create.
In 2017, the store was closed for an extended period of time while Susan underwent knee replacement surgery. Because of the closing, business backed up extensively. When photographer Brandon Coffey visited her studio, Susan remarked: “I’m not sure how I am going to continue with the brooms since it requires standing for long periods of time and kneeling to get excess materials off of the floor.” Even though she isn’t taking orders at the moment, she gladly accepts curious onlookers who want to sit and talk for a while, she enjoys sharing her process.
The Boykin Spaniel, South Carolina’s state dog, is named after L.W. Boykin, a resident of Boykin and first breeder of this hunting dog. The breed was developed by hunters needing a compact dog to accompany them on boat trips on the nearby Wateree River and its associated swamps.
Just a short distance, down the winding road leaving Boykin, is the second oldest remaining building in the Boykin Mill Complex. Towering over the road, this Greek Revival church, known as Swift Creek Baptist, was built in 1827. The church is located on the National Register of Historic Places.
Why do you not have the SC state dog’s scientific name? That is not very useful, but you are a great website. Thank you for all of your help.
Actually, the scientific name for all domestic dogs is Canis familiaris, and not breed-specific. I hope this helps!
The Battle of Boykin’s Mill was the site of the last Union officer killed in action during the American Civil War. Boykin’s Mill also hosted the final battle on South Carolina soil (I will forward a photo of the Monument at the Mill).
My great grandmother was from Boykin, SC. Rachel Moore and she was the daughter of George and Lullie (or Lula) Moore, and she married Lewis Douglas and moved to North Carolina.
Our family is very interested in receiving any information you may have in your records concerning this family or any of our relatives who may reside in Boykin or the surrounding communities.
Thank you for any attention you are willing to provide our request.
It’s been years since my dad and mother took us to visit. My dad is a Sr. and passed in 1982. He was a Bostick but was very much a Boykin. We did a lot of hunting using the Boykin Spaniel. I love the little town and would love too be able to see it again. Best Regards, Charlie Bostick
The Boykin Co. Store was originally named The Baker Store, and until the late ’80s/early ’90s, it was located in Boykin on 261. It is a very special part of my family’s heritage. My grandfather was the face of The Baker Store, and his name was Ernest Marion Baker. He, along with his brothers, Luther “Hicks” Baker and Robert “Bob” Baker, together with his sister, Eula Baker, owned the Baker Farm and the Baker store. My grandfather died in 1980, just years after his two brothers. The farm was sold, and our family took roots in other towns in Kershaw County. Just a little bit of history … and now we get to cherish it as a historical landmark at the Boykin Mill Pond. Unfortunately, I was told that the Baker Brothers sign was stolen from the side of the building, and that just breaks my heart.
Wow! This place is so awesome! I love our state heritage so much and hope to visit you all one day. I need to add this treasure to my historical journeying. With kind regards from Travelers Rest, SC – Big Shayne.