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Chapin, South Carolina
Town Hall
Town Hall
Nicknames: 
"The Capital of Lake Murray", "Home of the Eagles"
Motto(s): 
"Fish Away"
Location of Chapin, South Carolina
Location of Chapin, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Lexington
Area
 • Total 1.99 sq mi (5.16 km2)
 • Land 1.98 sq mi (5.13 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
463 ft (141 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 1,445
 • Estimate 
(2019)
1,633
 • Density 823.92/sq mi (318.14/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
29036
Area code(s) 803, 839
FIPS code 45-13150
GNIS feature ID 1231155
Demonym Chapinese

Chapin, popularly known as the "Capital of Lake Murray", is a small lake town located at the northern tip of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. Lake Murray separates Chapin from the rest of Lexington County. The population of Chapin was 1,445 according to the 2010 census, and an estimated 1,633 in 2019.

Chapin is located approximately 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Columbia, and many people commute there for work; however, the town is considered fringe rural by the US postal service.

The town government is set up in the mayor-council form, and the current mayor is Albert Koon. Chapin has four public schools in the area; the first Chapin school was built in 1924. Lake Murray is the main attraction to Chapin and provides boaters with water-related recreation.

Geography

Chapin is located at 34°9′57″N 81°20′50″W / 34.16583°N 81.34722°W / 34.16583; -81.34722 (34.165783, -81.347260).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), of which, 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) of it is land and 0.55% is water.

While Chapin is a part of Lexington County, the creation of Lake Murray, South Carolina by the Dreher Shoals Dam cut Chapin off from the rest of the county, creating something of an exclave.

History

Chapin is named after Martin Chapin who traveled south from Cortland, New York. After Martin Chapin and Laura Anne Benjamin were married on June 16, 1850, the couple moved down South because of Martin’s health (a lung condition). The Chapins were living in Columbia, South Carolina when Martin's doctor suggested he to move to the Piney Woods area. He bought property in this area, and over the years Chapin bought 4,218 acres. He built a home in Piney Woods and later a hotel in the 1880s along the new rail line that ran from Columbia, South Carolina to Laurens, South Carolina.The railroad provided a way to trade and transport goods to the capital city. Cotton and the lumber industry were flourishing with the railroad providing transportation . After Martin’s death on August 31, 1894, Laura Chapin sold their Chapin home and moved into the Chapin hotel.

On March 28, 1907, Job S. Wessinger, P.M. Frick, and J. S. Honeycut founded the Bank of Chapin. One year later the building for the bank was built. The bank prospered with help from the railroad.

During World War I, Chapin was doing well economically. The price of cotton had risen and the farmers were making plenty of money. As a result, The Bank of Chapin was also thriving during this time. In addition, the first high school was built in 1924.

Slowly the businesses in Chapin were starting to experience hard times nearing the 1930s. On Thursday, October 15, 1931 the Bank of Chapin did not open, and like other banks around the world, the Bank of Chapin would not allow customers to withdraw their money. Anybody who had money saved in the bank lost that money due to the crash of the stock market, later known as the start of the Great Depression. Another disaster to hit Chapin was the building of the dam on the Saluda River that would result in the building of a lake. This lake would take over most of the Chapin families’ farm and homeland. The building of the dam was started in 1927.

In the midst of the Great Depression Chapin started a recreational team sport of baseball. In 1935, the Dutch Fork League was formed where Chapin had its own team. This team helped the unemployed men occupy their time during these difficult times. These baseball games attracted thousands of people.

The midpoint in Chapin’s history is the 1940s. During this period Chapin grew through improvements on the school and opening new businesses. One new business that came to Chapin was filling stations. The next business was a cabinet shop called E. A. Frick and Son. Chapin also built paved roads, a baseball field and established the public library. In 1950 the first post office building was constructed, along with new telephone services.

The 1960s were about new and better services. Garbage collection was an issue in the 60s, so the town government bought land and built a landfill. Transportation was the next service provided by access to an interstate. On September 7, 1960 a section of the interstate was opened between Columbia and Pomaria, South Carolina. The interstate made Chapin more accessible. Streets in town were also improved. Another improvement of the 60s was the new water system. Later during 1965 a volunteer fire department was organized. Then in 1966, the town had its first ambulance. Chapin also started growing in population as more people moved to Chapin in the 1960s.

During the 1970s new schools were built. Chapin football also became a community event because the school football team won two state championships in 1973 and 1974. Also in the 70s churches in the town of Chapin were growing by establishment of Chapin Baptist Church, St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, and Lake Murray Presbyterian Church.

The Robinson-Hiller House was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 187
1910 345 84.5%
1920 264 −23.5%
1930 429 62.5%
1940 311 −27.5%
1950 327 5.1%
1960 358 9.5%
1970 342 −4.5%
1980 311 −9.1%
1990 282 −9.3%
2000 628 122.7%
2010 1,445 130.1%
2019 (est.) 1,633 13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

The 2010 Census recorded that Chapin has a population of 1,445 with 658 total housing units within town limits.

2020 census

Chapin racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,399 77.34%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 148 8.18%
Native American 4 0.22%
Asian 49 2.71%
Other/Mixed 75 4.15%
Hispanic or Latino 134 7.41%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,809 people, 768 households, and 524 families residing in the town.

Attractions

Lake Murray

(120DPI)grayStateIcon
View of Lake Murray

Chapin is often referred to as the capital of Lake Murray. On September 21, 1927, work on the dam for the Saluda River was started. The construction finished on the June 30, 1930. Chapin families who had lived on Chapin land for over 200 years had to sell and move to make room for the lake that was a result of the dam. The lake was to spread between Dutch Fork and Chapin becoming 14 miles wide and 40 miles long.

The earthen dam stands over 200 feet tall and runs 1.5 miles across. Lake Murray has over 500 miles of shoreline and covers approximately 50,000 acres. The dam itself takes up 99 acres.

The dam on Lake Murray has been through many changes since it was originally built in 1927. In 1943 three feet was added to the dam’s height to help flooding issues. Much later in the 1980s SCE&G added a sheet piling way on the lakeside of the highway again to help with flooding. This sheet piling way raised the height of the dam again.

The latest changes to the dam occurred in 2002 when the backup dam was built. The backup dam was built for more protection to withstand earthquakes. The backup dam is made of rock and concrete to withstand the weight of the water behind the dam if any damage were to occur to the existing dam.

Lake Murray is not only used to provide electrical power for surrounding areas, it brings boating activities to the affluent town of Chapin. Lake Murray offers many different types of boating opportunities in addition to recreational areas. Today, the lake has recreational swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, and wake-boarding. The lake also holds fishing tournaments and is home to all kinds of wildlife. Lake Murray is known for its purple martins, striped bass, and great blue heron.

Labor Day Festival

Chapin is home to the Chapin Labor Day Festival. The Chapin Labor Day Festival is held every year in the town of Chapin on Labor Day. The festival lasts for three days starting on the Saturday before Labor Day and ending on Labor Day. On Monday, the festival activities start off with a parade through town and often features local, state and sometimes national political candidates. The Chapin High School three time national champion NJROTC also marches in the parade annually. After the parade there is a carnival, Chapin Idol, vendors, food, concerts, and a car show along the historic streets of downtown Chapin.

Crooked Creek Park

Has 6 tennis courts, racquetball, 27-hole disc golf course, a basketball and weightlifting gym with an indoor walking track and meeting rooms, 6 baseball and soccer fields, and a paved walking trail through the woods. Opened in 1994.

http://www.icrc.net/crooked-creek-park

Notable people

  • Deepfield, rock band; lead singer Baxter Teal
  • Iron & Wine (born in 1974), stage name of indie-folk singer-songwriter Samuel Beam
  • DeWayne Wise (born in 1978), outfielder in the Chicago White Sox organization

Education

  • Chapin High School
  • Chapin Middle School
  • Chapin Intermediate School
  • Chapin Elementary School
  • Lake Murray Elementary School
  • Spring Hill High School
  • Piney Woods Elementary School

History of local schools

The first school in Chapin was located in the Chapin house. In 1924 a high school was built out of concrete blocks and brick. In 1927 the school alma mater “Chapin, Dear Chapin” was composed by Helen Miller. This alma mater is the same one used at Chapin High School today.

Chapin schools and churches were the center of life in town according to historian Addison Bostain. Chapin High School had 150 students enrolled in 1929 and the elementary school had 150 students. The school only housed 11 grades.

Chapin High School had been built in separate parts since 1924 and by 1940 the high school still did not have a gym. The school auditorium was home to both the theater and a basketball court. The gymnasium was not built until 1952. The Chapin community built the gym for less than $30,000 dollars.

The 12th grade was added to Chapin High School in 1948 as well as the first football team. The football team was a very expensive investment, so in 1952 the Irmo and Chapin High School football teams were combined. Together they were known as the Flying Dutchmen football team. The teams separated again, and Chapin has had its own team since 1959.

In 1970 a new high school was built with much better facilities. The school had new labs, band, chorus, and physical educational areas. In addition to a new building, the Chapin football team became a powerhouse for football in state of South Carolina. Cecil Woolbright became Chapin High School's head football coach and athletic director in 1968. The Chapin High School Eagles won two state championships and three conference titles in three years. This happened in 1973, 74 and 75, along with a 30-game winning streak. The Chapin High School's mascot is named Cecil the Eagle.

A new elementary school opened in August 1977. The school could house 840 children.

Library

Chapin has a public library, a branch of the Lexington County Library.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chapin (Carolina del Sur) para niños

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