Bethune, South Carolina

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Bethune is a town in Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Bethune is located at 34°24′54″N, 80°20′51″W (34.414881, -80.347414)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 352 people, 165 households, and 104 families residing in the town. The population density was 119.2/km² (309.4/mi²). There were 193 housing units at an average density of 65.4/km² (169.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.77% White, 9.66% African American, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.84% of the population.

There were 165 households out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the town the population was spread out with 17.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,083, and the median income for a family was $40,972. Males had a median income of $37,250 versus $26,406 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,879. About 5.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Europeans came to the Bethune area in the early 1800s, and at that time the Kadapaw Indians inhabited the area. Bethune was originally known as Lynchwood when a post office was established there in 1828.

When the railroad came to this area, it crossed property belonging to Daniel Murdock Bethune. When the charter for the town was issued in 1900, the town’s name was changed from Lynchwood to Bethune in honor of Daniel M. Bethune. Mr. Bethune was one of the pioneer men of the Bethune section, which was predominantly of Scottish decent. Today you can find a Scottish burial ground between Bethune and Cassatt.

On high ground surrounded by the waters of Lynches River and Little Lynches River, Bethune is a quiet town where turn-of-the-century Southern charm reigns supreme. Train tracks run beside Bethune Town Hall as a reminder of the rail’s importance to this stop on the Seaboard Railroad. Residents are carefully restoring historic homes to preserve the town’s Mayberry-like character. The bridge on Hwy. 1, north of Bethune, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only bridge spanning the same river three times.

Scottish Cemetery On US Hwy. 1 South outside Bethune, Scotch Cemetery has been the final resting place for local citizens since the late 1700's. The history of surrounding communities is reflected in the names etched on the faces of the soapstone headstones.

Content from Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce