The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.
Camden is South Carolina’s oldest inland town. It was founded in 1733 after King George II ordered the establishment of a town on the Wateree River.
Camden’s strategic location led to its important role in the Revolutionary War. British forces camped here in an effort to subdue the backcountry. In April 1781, following heavy losses at the Battle of Hobkirk Hill, the Redcoats left, burning much of the town as they went.
Nevertheless Camden retains its historic charm today, and the downtown district still features more than 60 significant structures.
Like Aiken, Camden has a rich equine history, a by-product of the late 19th-century influx of wealthy northerners. Springdale Race Course hosts the Colonial Cup each fall and the Carolina Cup each spring.
