Sumter South Carolina (SC)
Sumter is a great place to live and raise a family, as well as a wonderful place to retire. People in Sumter enjoy many activities whether it is the arts, sporting events, fishing, golfing, gardening, or a wide array of great dining and shopping. Sumter, South Carolina celebrates its rich culture and fascinating historical background with festivals and events the entire year through. There really is something here for everyone in our hometown of Sumter, South Carolina. For a complete listing of Sumter, South Carolina Events check out our complete Events page.
The city of Sumter is located just east of central South Carolina. Sumter is a convenient drive to Columbia, South Carolina, which
is about 46 miles away. Myrtle Beach is located about 95 miles east of Sumter. Florence, South Carolina is also a convenient drive
and is only about 40 miles away. Many people also enjoy a visit to Charleston which is about 95 miles southeast of Sumter. Sumter is very convenient to I-95, and a short drive to I-20, I-26, and also I-77. View Sumter SC Map.
Sumter is a beautiful city with ideal weather. The average high temperature for the entire year is 75ºF. The average low
temperature for the entire year is 51ºF. The overall average temperature of Sumter, South Carolina is 63ºF. The warmest month is
July, with an average high of 92ºF. The coolest month is January with an average low of 34ºF. The most precipitation occurs in
July. Sumter usually averages about 49 inches of precipitation per year. The climate is ideal for doing many outdoor activities the
entire year through.
The city of Sumter itself is 681 square miles, and is home to about 40,000 people. Sumter is proud to be the locale of a number
of attractions. Sumter is home to Shaw Air Force Base, Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumter Opera House, Palmetto Tennis Center,
Sumter County Museum, Dillon Park-Palmetto Park and the Bobby Lee Richardson Baseball Stadium, Sumter County Library,
Sumter County Gallery of Art, and Patriot Hall to name a few. We have three colleges in Sumter, South Carolina: University of South
Carolina at Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College, and Morris College. We also have a number of great public and private
schools. Faith is a central part of the lives of many of the people of Sumter. Sumter, South Carolina is home to 100's of
different churches, and growing more every day.
Shaw Air Force Base became officially active in 1941. The base was named Shaw to honor 1st Lieutenant Ervin David Shaw.
Shaw was a Sumter county native who was killed during World War I. Major Burton M. Hovey became the first base commander at
Shaw. Shaw Air Force Base is home to the largest F-16 Wing, the 20th Fighter Wing. The mission of the 20th Fighter Wing is to
“provide, project and sustain combat ready air forces.” Shaw Air Force Base is also the home of the headquarters for the “Ninth Air
Force and U.S. Air Forces Central (USAFCENT), whose primary mission is to project decisive Air and space power for U.S. Central
Command (USCENTCOM) and America.” Sumter is honored to be home to Shaw Air Force Base. We proudly support our troops!!
For more info about Shaw Air Force Base you can visit their website: www.shaw.af.mil.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens is an exquisite sight to behold that spans 150 acres in Sumter. “Swan Lake Iris Gardens is home to all
eight of the world’s known swan species as well as ducks, geese, anhingas or diving birds, egrets, herons, and more.” In 1917
Hamilton Carr Bland began development of Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The first official Iris Festival was held on May 24th, 1940.
Today Swan Lake Iris Gardens has become one of the most well known tourist attractions in the state of South Carolina. Mr. Bland
was an avid gardener and had tried planting irises at his home on West Hampton Avenue. When they failed to thrive here he had
them dug up and used to build up the shore at Swan Lake. The bulbs took root and thrived in the damp acidic soil. Southern
Living magazine has called Swan Lake Iris Gardens a “lovely mistake.”
Swan Lake Iris Gardens now offers picnic areas, a children’s playground, Braille Garden, the Swan Lake Iris Gardens Visitor’s
Center, and the Iris Market Concession’s shop. The McDuffie Pedestrian Crossover rises high over Liberty Street and connects the
two gardens together. The gardens are open daily from 7:30 a.m. until dusk, except during severe weather. The park prohibits pets,
bicycles, radios, flower picking, and alcoholic beverages. There is no charge for admission. Swan Lake Iris Gardens was named
one of America’s “best freebies,” by Better Homes & Gardens. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is also the home to many events throughout
the year. Every December Swan Lake is set aglow with a beautiful array of Christmas lights. The Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights
brings the holiday festivities in Sumter to a glorious start. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is also home to The Iris Festival, held every year
over Memorial Day weekend “The Iris Festival is one of the oldest and has been ranked among the Top 20 Festivals in the
Southeastern U.S.” Expect to see these lush gardens filled with thousands of Japanese irises in bloom in late May. The Festival is
filled with food, music, arts and crafts and so much more. (See our complete listing of 2008 Swan Lake Iris Festival Events for more
details) For more info about Swan Lake or the Iris Festival contact: (803)436-2640 or toll free at 1-800-688-4748.
Sumter is a great place to live and raise a family, as well as a wonderful place to retire. People in Sumter enjoy many activities
whether it is the arts, sporting events, fishing, golfing, gardening, a wide array of great dining or shopping. Sumter, South Carolina
celebrates its rich culture and fascinating historical background with festivals and events the entire year through. There really is
something here for everyone in our hometown of Sumter, South Carolina. For a complete listing of Sumter, South Carolina Events
look at our Sumter SC Events page.
The city of Sumter was first incorporated as a city in 1845. It was orignally named Sumterville. In 1855 the name was shortened to Sumter. Sumter is named after Revolutionary War hero General Thomas Sumter. Sumter is also referrred to as the "Gamecock City." The city of Sumter is the county seat, and the first municipal government to have the council (city) manager form of government. This form of government was pioneered in Sumter in 1912, and is still in effect today. This type of government states for the use of a full time manager to administer the business of a municipal corporation. The manager work under the city council, which like a director is responsible for making the policies and decisions. Thousands of cities have since adopted this style of government.
References:
1. King Gregorie, Anne. History of Sumter County. Sumter: Osteen-Davis, 1954.
2. Nicholes, Cassie. Historical Sketches of Sumter County: It's Birth and Growth. Sumter: Sumter County Historical
3. Shaw Air Force Base. United States Air Force. 01 May 2008 www.shaw.af.mil.
4. "Averages." The Weather Channel. 01 May 2008 www.weather.com.
5. Sumter Iris Festival Commission, "Sumter Iris Festival May 23-25, 2008." Swan Lake Iris Gardens Sumter, South Carolina.
6. Sumter Iris Festival Commission, "Swan Lake-Iris Gardens."
7. Sumter Iris Festival Commission, "Always in Season." Swan Lake Iris Gardens Sumter, South Carolina.
8. "Sumter (city) South Carolina." U.S. Census Bureau. 01 May 2008 quickfacts.census.gov.
9. "Maps, Driving Directions, Gas Prices & Business Directory." Mapquest. 01 May 2008 www.mapquest.com.
10. "Sumter Church Search." Yellow pages. 01 May 2008 www.yellowpages.superpages.com.
11. Photographs courtesy of the Sumter County Museum.
Written by: Melissa Morgan
SumterCentral.com Editor