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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Cope

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SC Picture Project / Orangeburg County / Cope

The small town of Cope is located in Orangeburg County. It is named for farmer Jacob Martin Cope, who sold a portion of his land in the 1890s to be used for the town and train depot. The Manchester & Augusta Railroad was established here in 1894, and the tracks were later used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

Cope Town Hall

Sara Dean of Moncks Corner, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Once the railroad brought people and commerce to Cope, the town began to develop. Before long Cope had two churches, general stores such as the still-beloved Vallentines Store, a grist mill, and a cotton gin. This rapid development is proof of just how important railroads were to early growth in our state.

Bank of Cope

Sara Dean of Moncks Corner, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Though Cope ceased being a railroad stop in the 1960s, history lovers still flock to the community for ginning demonstrations at the Vallentines Store and Gin as well as to see artifacts in the former store, which has become a museum of sorts.

Vallentines Store Cope

Sara Dean of Moncks Corner, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

On Saturday, October 8, 2017 Hurricane Matthew roared through South Carolina, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. Sadly, the Cope cotton gin was demolished by the storm, as seen below.

Cope Cotton Gin Hurricane Damage

Sara Dean of Moncks Corner, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Despite the loss of the depot and gin, Cope remains a beautiful agricultural town with home-town pride and living history.

Vallentine's

Theresa Borgeson of Conway, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

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ABOUT US

We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit. If there is no link, contact us and we will do our best to help.

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