Elgin, Kershaw and Richland counties, South Carolina

Elgin is located in southwestern Kershaw County along U.S. Route 1, which leads southwest to Columbia and northeast to Camden, the county seat. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land. In late 2021 and 2022, southeastern Kershaw County experienced over 40 earthquakes, 11 of which exceeded a 2.5 magnitude. 6 of the quakes exceeded a 3.0 magnitude, the largest of which registering at a 3.6. Climate According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elgin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Elgin was on June 30, 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 21, 1985. == White Pond ==

White Pond is a local landmark in Elgin, consisting of a Sandhills dune formation and 66 acre natural lake. It was formed by the blocking of downstream drainage and wind blown sand during or prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. It is located on the western edge of the Atlantic Plain, and is host to flora typical of inland sand dunes such as the longleaf pine, British Soldier's Lichen and the toxic flowering twine Gelsemium sempervirens. White Pond has recently attracted scientific and media attention as having preserved a relatively long record of sediment accumulation in the pond. Several scientists have taken various core samples from White Pond that has revealed information on temperatures of non-glaciated areas during the Ice Age and information on plant and animal life in the area during the past. One dune on the south side of White Pond has yielded a luminescence date of ~92,300 years before present (BP). Platinum anomalies have recently been reported at the site at an age that would provide potential evidence for the controversial Younger Dryas impact hypothesis. However, the claim that these anomalies correspond to the Younger Dryas onset White Pond is a noted landmark on architect Robert Mills' map of Kershaw County in 1825. There is a log cabin on the site, which hosts a local private fishing & game club, and the lake is regularly stocked with trout. Archaeological investigation has occurred every year at the site since 2015, led Dr. Christopher Moore, in partnership with the USC Educational Foundation, Archaeological Consultants of the Carolinas Inc, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and several local volunteers. In 2017, excavations at White Pond revealed the presence of several layers of archaeological interest, including a Late Paleoindian Dalton occupation. People from the Clovis culture are thought to have resided in the area starting at least 12,500 years ago. Excavations in 2019 yielded an Edgefield scraper and Kirk Notched point, artifacts dating to the early Archaic period. ==Demographics==

Racial and ethnic composition 2020 census As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,634 people, 597 households, and 488 families residing in the town. 2010 census The United States Census Bureau stated in the 2010 census that the town of Elgin held 1,311 individuals, 521 housing units (of which only 484 were occupied), and 375 families of the 1,311 people 1,095 (83.5%) were white, 146 (11.1%) black, 6 (.5%) American Indian, 3 (.2%) Asian, 32 (2.4%) some other race, and 29 (2.2%) of mixed race. About 5% are of Hispanic or Latino descent. Of the 484 households, over 375 of them held families and of those families 185, or 38.2% of the total households with children under the age of 18. 61.2% of households were of married couples, 4.5% were only male householders, 11.8% were only female householders, and 22.5% of households were nonfamily residences. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.05 people. Elgin's population age is fairly evenly spread, leaning only slightly toward the younger generations. 29.9% of people are under the age of 20, 26.1% are between the age of 20 and 40, 28.3% are between the age of 40 and 60, 15.7% are over the age of 60. The median for the town is 36.8 years of age. As of the 2010 census, most of the population, 89.1%, of Elgin is a high school graduate or higher. The median income for a single household was $58,500, with the median family income being $66,350. The median earnings for male workers was $50,341, while median earnings for female workers was only $34,471. 7.8% of families and 9.7% of all people were listed as below the poverty level. ==History==

Elgin, previously named "Blaney", and originally "Jeffers", traces its European-American history to a post office established in the area in 1898. The small community that the post office served adopted the name Jeffers after its first postmaster, William T. Jeffers. The town of Blaney was officially chartered and incorporated on January 23, 1907. Blaney's first postmaster, Jesse T. Ross (who served for forty-seven years), was the first man to open a business, together with D. D. Evans. A brick schoolhouse was erected in 1912. Very little growth was seen in the town during the next 15 years; the Camden Chronicle said in 1927: "I don't think there were fifty people in [Blaney], in fact you wouldn't know it was a town." However, by 1930, Blaney had built its own high school. In 1931 U.S. Highway 1 was completed. A fully paved road extending along the length of the eastern seaboard, it ran parallel to the already established rail line as it cut through Blaney. This offered a new route to bring in tourism and business to the area. It is still the main route into the town today. The town grew by over 50% between the 2000 and 2010 census, going from 806 to 1311 residents with continued growth expected in the future. Elgin's current mayor is Melissa Emmons. ==Transportation==

Since 1931, US Route 1 has been the town's Main Street, running parallel to Interstate 20. Exit 87, southeast of the town center, provides access from I-20. Major highways • Interstate 20 • US Route 1 • SC Highway 12 ==Education==

• Lugoff-Elgin High School • Lugoff-Elgin Middle School • Leslie M. Stover Middle School • Blaney Elementary School • Doby's Mill Elementary School Elgin has a public library, a branch of the Kershaw County Library. ==Arts and culture==

Elgin is home to the Catfish Stomp, an annual Christmas parade that takes place every year down Main Street. ==References==