“C” is for Chester County [581 square miles; population 34, 068]. Named for Chester County, Pennsylvania, Chester was one of seven counties created in 1785 from the old Camden Judicial District. Situated in the rolling hills of South Carolina’s eastern Piedmont, Chester is bounded on the east by the Catawba River and on the west by the Broad River. Unlike other counties established at the same time, Chester’s dimensions have never been altered, and its distinct rectangular shape, is unique among South Carolina counties. Prior to European settlement, the area served as a buffer between the powerful Catawba and Cherokee Indian nations. After the Civil War and for nearly a century, textiles were the mainstay of the economy. In the 1960s Chester County’s leaders formed the Chester County Board of Commerce to bring in new industry.
“C” is for Chester County
