Congressman
Henry E. Brown, Jr.

Discover Berkeley County

Berkeley County (map) is the largest county in South Carolina when both land and water (Lake Moultrie & Lake Marion) areas are counted. It's estimated population in 2006 was 152,282, which is an increase of 6.7% from the 2000 census. Berkeley County was named for two of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina: Lord John Berkeley (d. 1678) and Sir William Berkeley (d. 1677). While it was originally established in 1682, it would take 200 years for the county to be established permanently.

Berkeley County was settled in the late seventeenth century by English and French Huguenot planters with their African slaves. Many of the old rice plantations are now covered by the waters of Lake Moultrie, which was built in the 1940s as part of the Santee-Cooper hydroelectric project. Two famous Revolutionary War generals were residents of the area: William Moultrie (1730-1805) and Francis Marion (1732-1795) who was known as the "Swamp Fox." Henry Laurens (1724-1792), President of the Continental Congress, resided at Mepkin Plantation, which many years later was purchased by publisher Henry Luce (1898-1967). Luce and his wife Clare Boothe Luce (1903-1987) are buried at Mepkin, which is now a Trappist monastery. 

In addition to numerous recreation opportunities on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, Berkeley County is home to a number of recreational and educational opportunities. Canoeing, fishing, camping and other activities are available throughout the Francis Marion National Forest. The Berkeley County Blueways system of paddling trails gives visitors an opportunity to see the natural beauty of the county up close.

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