History

The industrial era saw Clinton transformed by “factory fever” with the establishment of the Clinton Cotton Mill in 1896 by Mercer Silas Bailey, and later the Lydia Cotton Mill. These developments marked a period of prosperity that continued into the 20th century. However, the closure of these mills in 2001 led to economic hardships, from which the town is still recovering.

The city’s historical significance is highlighted by several listings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Clinton Commercial Historic District, Duncan’s Creek Presbyterian Church, and the Thornwell-Presbyterian College Historic District.

Clinton’s history is a tale of growth influenced by geographic location, industrial development, and the indomitable spirit of its early settlers and subsequent inhabitants.

Clinton, South Carolina, has a rich history that traces back to its early days when the area was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. The city’s first European settler was John Duncan, who arrived from Pennsylvania in 1752 and settled along a creek between what are now Clinton and Whitmire. Over the next several decades, the area saw a significant influx of Scots-Irish immigrants from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, who were predominant settlers before the American Revolutionary War. These early settlers actively participated in the Revolutionary War, including the 1780 battle at nearby Musgrove Mill.

Originally known as Five Points due to its location at the intersection of four major roads and a railroad, the town was renamed Clinton after Henry Clinton Young, a local lawyer who planned the first roads in the area. The establishment of railroads in the mid-19th century contributed significantly to the town’s development, leading to the founding of the First Presbyterian Church in 1855.

HERE CLINTON

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