“H” is for Hampton County (560 square miles; 2020 population 18,561). Hampton County was created in 1878 from the northern half of Beaufort County. Hampton later lost territory to the creation of Jasper and Allendale Counties. The county was named for Wade Hampton, III, Confederate general, governor, U.S. Senator. Hampton is the county seat. A sandy pine ridge east of the Coosawatchie River Swamp separates the eastern and western portions of the region. Locally, people and places are identified by their “side of the Swamp,” a designation that is as much philosophical as it is geographical. Extensive pine forests provided the basis for thriving timber and turpentine industries. Until the boll weevil came to Hampton County in 1919, few farmers diversified their crops, but sweet potatoes and other truck farm produce soon became important commodities.
“H” is for Hampton County
