26-534: Bishopville is a town in Lee County , South Carolina , United States. The population was 3,471 at the 2010 census . It is the county seat of Lee County. Bishopville is located at 34°13′8″N 80°14′56″W / 34.21889°N 80.24889°W / 34.21889; -80.24889 (34.219027, -80.248877) near Lee State Park . According to the United States Census Bureau ,
52-638: Is a historic courthouse located at 123 S. Main Street in the city of Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina . It was designed in the Classical Revival style by Darlington native William Augustus Edwards who designed eight other South Carolina courthouses as well as academic buildings at 12 institutions in Florida , Georgia and South Carolina. Lee County was created in 1902 and this
78-756: Is known nationally for live topiary sculptures. He's also won many awards as well as being named as South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development by Mark Sanford in 2003. Fryar revealed that all he wanted was to have a nice yard and win yard of the month from his hometown of Bishopville, SC. Lee State Park is one of the best-known parks in Lee County. Located at 487 Loop Road in Bishopville, this park host's just about everything from river fishing, boating, nature trails, show ring, and stables. The park also offers educational programs like pine needle basket weaving and owl prowls. Year-round, during daylight hours,
104-453: The 2000 census , there were 20,119 people, 6,886 households, and 4,916 families living in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km ). There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 63.56% Black or African American, 35.03% White, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 1.31% of
130-756: The National Register of Historic Places . Students in Bishopville are served by Lee County Public Schools. Bishopville has a lending library , the Lee County Public Library. Pearl Fryar 's Topiary Garden is located in Bishopville. The 3-acre (12,000 m) garden is visited annually by many tourists. Fryar and his carefully sculptured topiary garden has been featured many times on television specials and in dozens of magazines. His garden offers 3 acres (12,000 m) of trees and shrubs formed into fanciful spirals, three-dimensional pieces, pom poms, and other extraordinary shapes. Fryar
156-448: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 411.23 square miles (1,065.1 km ), of which 410.18 square miles (1,062.4 km ) is land and 1.05 square miles (2.7 km ) (0.26%) is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 16,531 people, 6,423 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 19,220 people, 6,797 households, and 4,567 families living in
182-695: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers built the Park during the Great Depression. This attractive park is approximately 2,839 acres (11.49 km) of land. This park offers picnics in shelters and camping. Picnic tables and serene environments are stationed around the 5.6 miles (9.0 km) of Lynches River that's owned by Lee State Park. The South Carolina Cotton Museum and Lee County Veterans Museum are located next door to each other in Bishopville. The Cotton Museum preserves
208-499: The United States with a population over 1,000. Bishopville was known as Singleton's Crossroads for more than a decade before it was renamed in honor of Jacques Bishop. The 465 acres (1.88 km) of land had been granted to Jacob Chamber by the state of South Carolina in 1786. Daniel Carter later purchased the property and then sold it to William Singleton in 1790. The tavern owned and operated by Singleton and his wife sat at
234-432: The alleged sightings of a reptile-like monster , known as "The Lizard Man", near a swamp called Scape Ore Swamp. It has supposedly frightened people and damaged some cars. At one point there was a one million dollar reward for anyone who could find and present "Lizard Man". Lee County, South Carolina Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina . As of the 2020 census , its population
260-403: The average family size was 3.12. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.0 males. The median income for a household in the city
286-400: The city. The population density was 1,554.8 inhabitants per square mile (600.3/km). There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 684.6 per square mile (264.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 65.83% African American , 32.83% White , 0.11% Native American , 0.44% Asian , 0.22% from other races , and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of
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#1732786771060312-431: The county was $ 13,896. About 17.70% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 27.90% of those age 65 or over. In 2010, Lee County Sheriff Edgar Jerome “E.J.” Melvin and six others were arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges. Court documents stated that he dealt cocaine from his police SUV, and other dealers gave him the nickname "Big Dog." Melvin
338-399: The county. The population density was 46.9 inhabitants per square mile (18.1/km ). There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 64.3% black or African American, 33.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of
364-399: The history of cotton culture and the legacy of a way of life both long gone and very much a part of the present. The museum has the world's largest boll weevil. The Lee County Veterans Museum was designed, built and furnished by veterans of Lee County. The museum preserves and tells the history of US wars and conflicts, as well as the stories and lives of local veterans. This town is known for
390-426: The intersection of Mecklenburg Road, now Church Street, and McCallum Ferry Road, now Main Street. This tavern was a stop on the stagecoach route between Georgetown and Charlotte . (Now this intersection involves Highway 15, which at one point was the premier north–south route from New York to Miami.) In 1798, William Singleton died, leaving his wife the owner of the tavern until her death in 1820. A year later in 1821,
416-939: The old cannon in front of the Lee County Courthouse . Lee County has historically been a leader in cotton production in the state and is the home of the South Carolina Cotton Museum. In addition to the Lee County Courthouse, the Ashwood School Gymnasium and Auditorium , Bishopville Commercial Historic District , James Carnes House , Dennis High School , Thomas Fraser House , William Apollos James House , The Manor , Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church , William Rogers House , South Main Historic District , Spencer House , and Tall Oaks are listed on
442-412: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 6,886 households 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 23.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.90% of households were one person and 10.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size
468-410: The population. There were 1,438 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.8% were married couples living together, 29.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. Of all households, 34.2% were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and
494-418: The population. In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were American , and 5.1% were English . Of the 6,797 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 29.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size
520-643: The property was sold to Bishop. During this time period, the area around present-day Bishopville was said to be composed of mostly wilderness, with only a few scattered, primitive houses. Lee County was created in 1892 with Bishopville its county seat, but Bishopville did not complete building its courthouse and county jail until February 1902. As a result, county boundaries were delimited along Lynches River, Black River, Scape Ore Swamp, Sparrow Swamp, Long Branch, and Screeches Branch following old roads and artificial limits. On December 15, 1902, Bishopville celebrated its new significance by hosting speeches and shooting off
546-477: The town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km), of which 2.4 square miles (6.2 km) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) (1.26%) is water. Bishopville has a humid subtropical climate, with balmy winters and long, hot summers. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 3,024 people, 1,414 households, and 728 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,670 people, 1,438 households, and 907 families residing in
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#1732786771060572-417: Was $ 24,400, and the median income for a family was $ 37,660. Males had a median income of $ 31,005 versus $ 18,635 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,140. About 23.7% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 42.7% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over. In 2010, Bishopville had the 25th-lowest median household income of all places in
598-783: Was 16,531, making it the fifth-least populous county in South Carolina . Its county seat is Bishopville . The county is named for Confederate general Robert E. Lee . A previous incarnation of Lee County was established in 1898, but was negated by the State Supreme Court in 1899. The current Lee County formed on February 25, 1902, from Darlington , Kershaw , and Sumter counties. Minor boundary changes were made in 1914 (11.9 sq mi [31 km ] to Sumter ), in 1921 (4.24 sq mi [11.0 km ] to Kershaw ), and in 1925 (1.58 sq mi [4.1 km ] from Kershaw ). According to
624-402: Was 3.15. The median age was 38.9 years. The median household income was $ 23,378 and the median family income was $ 35,279. Males had a median income of $ 32,721 versus $ 26,769 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 12,924. About 25.8% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over. At
650-469: Was 3.23. The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males. The median household income was $ 26,907 and the median family income was $ 34,209. Males had a median income of $ 26,512 versus $ 18,993 for females. The per capita income for
676-508: Was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison. In 2022, the GDP was $ 425.5 million (about $ 26,648 per capita), and the real GDP was $ 345 million (about $ 21,607 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars . As of April 2024 , some of the largest employers in the county include Ardagh Group , Coca-Cola Consolidated , Food Lion and Lee Academy . Lee County Courthouse (South Carolina) The Lee County Courthouse , built in 1908,
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