Cheraw Real Estate

Cheraw is a historic town located in Chesterfield county, South Carolina. The town is known as the “Prettiest Town in Dixie” because of the area’s unique architecture, historical wonders, and natural points of interest. The town was originally named after the Cheraw Indians who inhabited Chesterfield county with the Pee Dee Indians. The Cheraws were known to be the most prominent tribe in upper Pee Dee. This beautiful town sits on the banks of the sparkling Pee Dee River, immersing its guests and residents in its long standing history.

Today residents and visitors enjoy plenty of opportunities to learn about the area’s legacy. There are many points of interest and public lands to explore in Cheraw, like Cheraw State Park. Cheraw State Park was developed in the 1930s and spans 7,361 acres. This is the oldest park in South Carolina, but that is not all. Cheraw State Park is also home to one of the largest golf courses in the area, Cheraw State Park Golf Course. 

Cheraw State Park Golf Course is an incredible 18-hole championship golf course. There are two courses in the state park, the other being Hickory Knob Golf Course. These are Tom Jackson designed courses, known for providing a pristine atmosphere, with no condos, houses, roads, or out-of-bounds stakes. Forests, lakes, and wildlife surround the course, making for an incredible natural setting. 

The Lyceum Museum is another historic spot to visit. This museum is an architectural beauty in and of itself while also being a great attraction for curious visitors and residents. Many also enjoy the convenience of the Cheraw Cell Phone Tour. The tour begins at the Town Green, and all you have to do is dial a phone number to get started. The tour takes you to 25 unique, hidden spots in Cheraw.

Early settlers in Cheraw were the English, Scots, French, and Irish. The Cheraws migrated to the town in the late 17th century. They sustained a well-fortified town on the river hill, which is only a short distance from the Cheraw area we know today. Unfortunately, war and disease greatly impacted the Cheraw tribe, which led them to join the Catawba Confederacy around 1738. There were only a few scattered Native American families that remained in the area. The town underwent a variety of changes before it became the Cheraw we enjoy today.

James Gillespie and Thomas Ellerbe, two early settlers in Cheraw, started a trading center and water mill around 1740. At this time Cheraw was considered an established village. The town became one of only 6 places in South Carolina with a growing river trade and landed itself on English maps. In 1768, Joseph and Eli Kershaw were granted a part of present day Cheraw we know today. This was around the same time that the colonial government established St. David’s Parish. 

Although the area was just blooming, Cheraw became the center of a gruesome civil war during the Revolution. It took Cheraw many years to recover from this. Cheraw was the shipping center for a vast area, as Cheraw sat at the head of navigable waters on the Great Pee Dee River. Steamship service and the 1st bridge across the Pee Dee led to a booming golden age in the 1820s. Many buildings from this time period still line the streets today.

The town was incorporated in 1820 as “Cheraw”, although the Kershaw’s wanted to call the area “Chatham”. This name did not stick with the locals, thus keeping the area’s history alive with the name “Cheraw”. The Kershaw’s were responsible for the formal layout of the street system, planning in broad streets, and creating a Town Green. By 1830, these streets were shaded by elm trees, with some of the original trees still standing today. 

In 1835, Cheraw faced another disaster. There was a fire that impacted the business district, the area’s most accomplished location at the time. However, Cheraw recovered quickly. By the end of the 1850s, the town was a prosperous center for business, education, culture, and religion again, coming back better than it was before. The town continued to make a name for itself, as Cheraw played a key role in South Carolina’s secession in 1860. As the Confederacy disintegrated, Cheraw became a safe haven for refugees. The town was also a storage place for valuables and military stores during the American Civil War. 

Prosperity returned to Cheraw by 1900, which was made apparent by the many Victorian and Revival style buildings that still remain today. Although Cheraw was impacted by the Great Depression, the spirit of the area carried it through these hard times. Resilience is woven into the spirit of this incredible town. Whether you want to explore Cheraw’s incredible history or enjoy the area’s natural atmosphere, you are sure to love the small town charm here. 

South Carolina’s Pee Dee area is the homeland of Native American Indians. Pee Dee includes the Grand Strand and beaches from the North Carolina state border to the Winyah Bay in Georgetown county. The most popular regions in this area include Bennettsville, Cheraw, Darlington, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake City, Marion, Chesterfield, Florence, Latta, and Timmonsville.

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