“U” is for Union County [514 square miles; population 29,881]. The General Assembly created the county in 1785 and its boundaries remained the same until 1897 when it lost its two northernmost townships in the creation of Cherokee County. The first Europeans arrived in the 1750s and, to save effort, the various religious denominations built a single place of worship and called it a “union” church—and that was the origin of the county's name. Cotton was king from the early 1800s until the 1920s; today forestry and cattle have dethroned cotton. Throughout the 20th century, economic growth balanced with economic difficulties and thus the county's population has remained almost the same for ninety years—hovering right around 30,000. History remains a presence in Union County with many inhabitants descended from longtime residents.
“U” is for Union County
