Small-town life near South Carolina’s Freshwater Coast
It makes sense that life moves at a slower pace in McCormick, a town named for the inventor of a horse-drawn mechanical sickle. Beyond its historic Main Street and surrounding residential roads, there isn’t much to see but trees, land, water and wildlife, which is exactly why folks move here. The community of roughly 2,000 is the seat of McCormick County, a sportsman’s paradise on the South Carolina-Georgia border. It’s a gateway to an extensive system of lakes and waterways on the Savannah River known as South Carolina’s Freshwater Coast.
The outdoors is important here. So is history. McCormick’s roots in cotton and gold are preserved throughout town in old mines, mills and houses. Today, manufacturing, healthcare and government jobs round out the local job market. McCormick Correctional Institution is a major employer on the east side of town. “We like to say it’s like a little Hallmark movie town,” says local Kerry Hall, a Realtor with Savannah Lakes Realty. “And sometimes we say it’s Mayberry without Barney and Andy. Most people don’t even lock their doors at night.”
Trails, wildlife and golf within Sumter National Forest
McCormick is within the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest, which has over 50 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. As for water sports, the over 70,000-acre Lake Strom Thurmond is within a 10-mile drive. There are a few nearby access points with boat ramps and other facilities, including Dorn Sport Fishing and Boating Facility, Hawe Creek Campground and Baker Creek State Park. McCormick Country Club has a public nine-hole course nearby. Hall says its scenic, sloping layout, complete with lakes and mature trees, is popular among golfers and wildlife alike. “You can drive by the golf course in the evening and see deer, foxes, turkeys and skunks, just out there.”
Annual festival honors McCormick’s gold mining roots
In 1850, William Burkhalter Dorn struck gold in what is now McCormick. The last of Dorn’s mines were closed by the mid-20th century, but the claim to fame remains, and folks can still pan for gems and gold by scheduling tours at Heritage Gold Mine. Locals celebrate their glimmering history annually with the Gold Rush Festival, a parade and celebration filled with bluegrass tunes, homemade treats and Southern hospitality.
Historic cottages and ranch-style homes near town center
McCormick has a variety of single-family homes with a median sale price hovering around $254,000. Vintage homes, including early-1900s cottages and bungalows, are near the heart of town. Occasionally, an old farmhouse or hunting lodge on the outskirts will come up for sale, but for the most part, homebuyers will find brick ranch-style houses, Colonial Revivals, Minimal Traditionals and more contemporary styles toward the fringes. Lots are spacious, many are partially wooded and some have creeks running through them. Special flood zones surround the waterways, so properties along those may require flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. Despite being inland, McCormick County is vulnerable to storms, especially during hurricane season from June to November.
Historic cotton gin anchors McCormick’s charming downtown
The Dorn Mill Complex, known locally as the Old Cotton Gin, welcomes drivers into McCormick’s quaint downtown. It's a quiet, walkable area with red-brick storefronts and tree-lined train tracks that lead to an old depot. Sidewalks are lined with established red-brick storefronts home to locally owned businesses, such as Red Rooster Antiques and Mojito's Mexican Bar and Grill. Michelle’s Pizza is off the main strip, but it’s the go-to for New York-style pies. Chain restaurants, Family Dollar and Food Lion are along U.S. Route 221.
Major highways connect McCormick to nearby cities and services
Car-dependent McCormick is at the intersection of U.S. 221, U.S. Route 378 and State Highway 28. Greenwood is about 25 miles north; it has the closest hospital, Self Regional Medical Center. The closest commercial airport is in Augusta, Georgia, almost 40 miles away.
High school partners with nearby colleges for early credit
McCormick County Schools receives an overall C from Niche and offers inter-district transfers by application. McCormick Elementary and McCormick Middle have C-minus grades, and McCormick High holds a C-plus. The high school features dual enrollment programs with Piedmont Technical College and Lander University.
![Micaela Willoughby]()
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
