“B” is for Barnwell [population 5,035]. Originally located on the old Stage Coach Road from Charleston to Augusta, Barnwell was first called Red Hill. The town, like the County, was named for John Barnwell. Although the county seat, the little town grew slowly and when the South Carolina Railroad by-passed it in the 1830s, Barnwell's economy stagnated. During the Civil War, Union troops occupied and burned most of the businesses and public buildings in the town. By the turn of the 20th century, Barnwell finally had a railroad and became a major market town for the area's farmers. The development of the Savannah River Plant briefly swelled the town's population to more than 15,000, but upon completion of construction, most of these temporary residents had moved on. However, enough remained to more than double Barnwell permanent population.
“B” is for Barnwell
