Branchville is a small town in Orangeburg County with a population of approximately 1,000 people as of the 2020 Census. But Branchville has a small-town claim to fame in South Carolina that’s really special and rooted in the history of the area.
This little town is home to the world’s oldest railroad junction.
Google Maps
The first settlement was in 1735 at the branch of an old Indian trail leading from Charleston. It split at an old oak tree, which is no longer there.
Gene Bowker/Flickr
One branch of the trail led to the west, joining other trails at what was then called Fort Monroe, now known as North Augusta. The other veered north, following the north Edisto River toward what is now Orangeburg and continued to the town of Granby, now known as Cayce.
Constantin-Philipp/Google Reviews
Traders eventually began using the trail from Charleston to “The Branch” and would work out of that point to the west and north. They brought goods to the junction until enough had accumulated to be hauled to Charleston for sale or to be shipped overseas.
Angel McDaniel/Google Reviews
As time progressed, community life developed among the settlers. The community grew over time and in 1832, the South Carolina Railroad’s tracks reached Branchville.
Angela Vega/Google Reviews
When the railroad company extended its rails on to Hamburg, across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia, and to Orangeburg and Columbia, Branchville became the first railroad junction in the world.
Sara D/TripAdvisor
Brantley Stokes/Google Reviews
Branchville’s importance as a rail center continued to grow, and at one time there were 16 trains, passenger and freight, passing through the junction.
Town of Branchville
Today, only one passenger train passes, coming and going each day.
Angela Fischetti/Google Reviews
The town celebrates its railroad junction with a fun annual festival in September, the Raylrode Daze Festivul.
Angela Vega/Google Reviews
This historical photo is of the junction in 1907.
Raylrode Daze Festivul
The Branchville Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rear of the structure houses the Eatery at the Depot, which serves dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Eatery at the Depot/Facebook The front of the structure used to house a museum/shrine of railroad memorabilia, but it has closed.
Do you have an interesting or favorite South Carolina small-town claim to fame story that’s different from this one, perhaps from a different part of the state? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
Google Maps
Gene Bowker/Flickr
Constantin-Philipp/Google Reviews
Angel McDaniel/Google Reviews
Angela Vega/Google Reviews
Sara D/TripAdvisor
Brantley Stokes/Google Reviews
Town of Branchville
Angela Fischetti/Google Reviews
Raylrode Daze Festivul
Eatery at the Depot/Facebook
The front of the structure used to house a museum/shrine of railroad memorabilia, but it has closed.
And check out these other nine small towns that South Carolina surely would not be the same without!
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Address: Branchville, SC 29432, USA
