Landrum, South Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Landrum is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,472 at the 2000 census.

1 General Info
2 History
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Events, Activities, Interests
6 External links

[edit] General Info

The City of Landrum was founded in 1880 and incorporated 1912. Located just west of Interstate 26 between Spartanburg, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina, the City of Landrum is nestled below the Blue Ridge Mountains.

[edit] History

The first homesteaders began settling the Landrum area around 1760. They came from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia seeking the fertile free land. These were hardy settlers that had to fight not only the elements of an isolated land but the Indians as well. To defend themselves against the Indians the settlers built a series of forts located at critical points. One, Earl’s Fort was located approximately 2 miles east of the current City of Landrum. For the next 80 years the area continued to grow as lumber mills and corn mills were established. The roads serving the area were poor and travel was difficult even in the best weather. When the railroad reached Spartanburg in the late 1840’s a market was established for the agricultural products of the area. It wasn’t until 1880 after the railroad was extended from Spartanburg that the Town of Landrum was officially founded. The City is named after Mr. John Landrum who gave the railroad land in 1877 for the construction of a station. The first name for the Town was Landrum’s Station, but the name was shortened to Landrum around 1900. As the railroad pushed further north into North Carolina, the City continued to grow and expand. In 1912 Landrum was incorporated as a Town and in 1973 it was made a City. The early citizens of the area were farmers and raised corn and harvested timber products. This changed to cotton in the early 1900s and around 1930 peaches became the regions main cash crop. The first industry in the area was centered on textiles, with several textile companies still existing today. Industry has diversified over the past forty years to now include companies producing products from electronics parts to furniture hardware.

[edit] Geography

Landrum is located at 35°10′31″ N 82°11′10″ W (35.175277777778, -82.186111111111) (35.175326, -82.186036)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 km² (2.3 mi²). 6.1 km² (2.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.43% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,472 people, 1,040 households, and 691 families residing in the city. The population density was 406.1/km² (1,053.7/mi²). There were 1,107 housing units at an average density of 181.9/km² (471.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.84% White, 15.86% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 1,040 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $40,347. Males had a median income of $28,375 versus $20,784 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,259. About 10.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Events, Activities, Interests

Residents and visitors alike enjoy drives along scenic roads, strolling through unique antique and specialty shops, and dining in Landrum‘s many eateries. Landrum, and the surrounding area is home to many horse farms and the neighboring town of Tryon, NC hosts the annual Blockhouse Steeplechase an event that brings visitors from far and wide as well as locals.