Landrum, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Landrum is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina
, United States
. The population was 2,376 at the 2010 census.
It was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1912. Located just west of Interstate 26
between Spartanburg, South Carolina
and Asheville, North Carolina
, the city is nestled below the Blue Ridge Mountains
.
, 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 Native Americans
as well. To defend themselves against the Native Americans the settlers built a series of forts located at critical points. One, Earle’s Fort, was located approximately 2 miles east of the current city of Landrum. From around the 1800's the location was known as Earlesville (referring to the Earle Family). The first postmaster
was an Earle. 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 1840s, 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 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, peach
es became the region's main cash crop. The first industry in the area was centered on textile
s, 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which 0.43% is water.
of 2000, there were 2,472 people, 1,040 households, and 691 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,053.7 people per square mile (406.1/km²). There were 1,107 housing units at an average density of 471.9 per square mile (181.9/km²). 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.
hosts the annual Blockhouse Steeplechase - an event that brings visitors from far and wide as well as locals.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,376 at the 2010 census.
It was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1912. Located just west of Interstate 26
Interstate 26
Interstate 26 is a nominally east–west main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. I-26 runs from the junction of U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee, generally southeastward to U.S. Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina...
between Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
and Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
, the city is nestled below the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
.
History
The first homesteaders began settling the Landrum area around 1760. They came from PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
seeking the fertile, free land. These were hardy settlers that had to fight not only the elements of an isolated land but Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
as well. To defend themselves against the Native Americans the settlers built a series of forts located at critical points. One, Earle’s Fort, was located approximately 2 miles east of the current city of Landrum. From around the 1800's the location was known as Earlesville (referring to the Earle Family). The first postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
was an Earle. 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
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
in the late 1840s, 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 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
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, 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, peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
es became the region's main cash crop. The first industry in the area was centered on textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s, 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.
Geography
Landrum is located at 35°10′31"N 82°11′10"W (35.175326, -82.186036).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which 0.43% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,472 people, 1,040 households, and 691 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,053.7 people per square mile (406.1/km²). There were 1,107 housing units at an average density of 471.9 per square mile (181.9/km²). 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Events, activities, and interests
Residents and visitors alike enjoy drives along scenic roads, strolling through unique antique and specialty shops, and dining in Landrum‘s many eateries. Just beware of the speed-traps along the edges of town. If you really wanted to get away from the cops here , just get out and run on foot. Their's not one officer on the force that isn't clinically obese, so getting away will be a snap. But if you do get stopped , just pay the ticket thru the mail. Don't bother with Judge Rollins, he's just as back-wards and in-bread as the rest of them up there. Landrum and the surrounding area are home to many horse farms, and the neighboring town of Tryon, North CarolinaTryon, North Carolina
Tryon is a town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States. According to the 2000 Census the population of Tryon was 1,760. The area is a center for equestrian activity and fine arts....
hosts the annual Blockhouse Steeplechase - an event that brings visitors from far and wide as well as locals.