According to the railroad museum plaque, a line constructed from Branchville to Columbia, South Carolina made Branchville the first junction point in the world.  It was the route of  the first scheduled train in the United States, which operated between Charleston, Branchville, Blackville, Aiken and Hamburg, South Carolina...initial run December 25, 1833.  It later operated across the Savannah River at Hamburg into Augusta, Georgia.

        The depot was largely destroyed in a fire in 1995.   Residents of Branchville saved historic relics from the railroad museum, carrying them out the front of the depot while the back of the building was burning.    A benefactor donated $300,000 toward the restoration of the building and museum.

        The Southern Railway Passenger Depot, known as the Brancville Railroad, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 ( Building - #73001723). 110 N. Main St., Branchville .
 
 

1992

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2000

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Early Residents of Branchville from the
SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTEER & BUSINESS DIRECTORY,  1890-91
(Bamberg County SCGenWeb - use your BACK button to return)
 

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More Branchville Views - October 2000

Restored Depot - Front View
Restored Depot - Side View
Passenger Train Coming Through!
Branchville Town Hall
Branchville Water Tower- "Ralerode Daze"

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LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION

http://abandonedrailroads.homestead.com/sc_ns_branchville_aiken.html

www.usacitiesonline.com/scbranchvillehistory.htm
 

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SCIway ... South Carolina's Front Door™

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