Horrell Hill, South Carolina

Horrell Hill
unincorporated community
Map
Coordinates: 33°57′14″N 80°50′31″W / 33.95389°N 80.84194°W / 33.95389; -80.84194
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountyRichland County
Named forThomas Horrell
Elevation
[1]
364 ft (111 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total
11,439
Time zoneEST
Area code803
GNIS feature ID1246064[1]

Horrel Hill is an unincorporated community in Lower Richland County, South Carolina, United States. Situated south of Fort Jackson and northwest of McEntire Joint National Guard Base, it is centered at approximately the intersection of Garner's Ferry Road (U.S. Route 76/378) and Harmon Road/Horrel Hill Road (SC 86). Congaree Road (SC 769) meets Garner's Ferry Road about 120 meters to the east.

History

Settled in the 1770s, and originally called Meyer's (or Myer's) Hill, it was site of the county courthouse of Richland County from 1785 to 1799.[2] When the county seat was transferred to the new city of Columbia, the courthouse was then used for a grammar school.

A number of different names were applied to the area or parts of the area, including Minervaville. Eventually it came to be named for plantation owner Thomas Horrell.[3]

Just before noon on April 30, 1924, Horrell Hill was struck by the F4 Horrell Hill Tornado, the worst in the state's history. Running for 135 miles, it killed 67 people, including 24 in Horrell Hill. Four children died in Horrell Hill Elementary School when the storm demolished it.[4]

Today Horrell Hill has two schools, Horrell Hill Elementary School and Southeast Middle School, operated by Richland County School District One.

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Horrell Hill, South Carolina
  2. ^ Moore, John Hammond (1992). Columbia and Richland County: A South Carolina Community, 1740-1990. University of South Carolina Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-87249-827-3.
  3. ^ Palmetto Place Names. Works Progress Administration. 1941. p. 58.
  4. ^ "Horrell Hill Reunion To Rekindle Memories Schoolmates From 1897-1924 To Gather". The State. March 24, 1988.