Calhoun County Museum
Come and enjoy the history of Calhoun County and South Carolina presented with a personal southern touch.
History of Cameron (cont.)
Dr. Samuel J. Summers, Sr., with much foresight, laid out the town of Cameron. With the coming of the railroad, new citizens, many of them merchants, came to the once quiet town. The first school was organized within the town limits in 1901 in the former home of Mrs. George Tilley. The large two story wooden building was used until a brick building was built to house the pupils in 1909. The first grade had begun its school term in the old school but moved in the middle of the term, along with the other grades, to the handsome two story brick building. One of the pupils in that first grade, whose grandchildren attended this same school, recalled, “It was an exciting day. All of the pupils marched from the old school led by the first grade. We watched them lay the corner marker which lists the School Board and Building Committee as follows: W. B. Fogle, H. E. Rast, F. I. Culler, J. O. Wesner, J. H. Haigler, and M. P. Evans, Chairman of the Board.” Dunne of Sumter were architects of the building.
With the growth of the town of Cameron, and through marriages of resident families, the town welcomed many new persons who later became outstanding citizens. Many of these families were already Orangeburgh District residents. Among these are the Bull, Crook, Birchmore, Culler, Parler, Evans, Fersner, Houck, Metts, Moss, Pooser, Shuler, Stoudenmire, Taylor and Smith families.
In 1926, the auditorium was added to the school. The Board at this time consisted of: A. O. Rickenbaker, Chairman; Dr. S. J. Summers, L. E. Pooser, T. Fred Ulmer, W. D. Houck, T. C. Moss, T. S. Haigler and Dr. A. P. Traywick.
Religion is first and foremost in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Cameron. There are four churches within the town limits: the Cameron Baptist Church, Cameron Methodist Church, Southern Methodist Church, and the Resurrection Lutheran Church. The Baptists built the first church in 1888.
The Manchester and Augusta R. R., now the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, completed its first road in 1894. The town of Cameron was named for the conductor who brought the first train through. W. W. McMillan was the first railroad agent.
The first store was built in 1894 by Holman and Haigler and was later sold to F. I. Culler. This store was then owned by A. O. Rickenbaker, who for many years was Culler’s partner. The Calhoun County Museum currently houses a replica of this store. The next stores to be built were those of Taylor and Bull and George Dantzler. The Dantzler Store later became J. D. Fersner’s Store. The Cameron Mattress, Bedding and Manufacturing Company was organized in 1889 by John O. Wesner, Jr. in one room of his home. It was later moved to the present site.
On July 10, 1896, the town of Cameron was incorporated with Dr. Samuel Jacob Summers, Sr., Intendant; W. W. McMillan, E. L. McGowan, Irving H. Zimmerman, and J. H. Haigler, Wardens. The Bank of Cameron was opened in 1905. By that time, there were several stores on the main street: a drug store called Cameron Pharmacy, Culler and Rickenbaker general store, Taylor and Bull, general merchandise and cotton buyers, and Fred Ulmer, general merchandise.
Through the years that followed, other sound industries have developed. David Keener Summers organized and built one of the first pecan factories in the county. The Central Grain Company erected a grain elevator which holds 350,000 bushels of grain. When the banks were closing all over the state and nation, the Bank of Cameron, now the First National Bank of Cameron, remained open.
There are many civic-minded citizens who have organized business, fraternal, and social clubs. The Masonic Lodge was organized in this community some time ago. The Business Men’s Club has been the spirit behind many projects, including the bleachers of the football field. There is a home demonstration club and two garden clubs. The Camellia Garden Club raised funds and built the Cameron Memorial Playground which they maintain in entirety. The playground is located on property of Mary Quinby, niece of Dr. J. W. Summers. The Cameron Garden Club was one of the first garden clubs to become federated in this area.
Property of Calhoun County Museum Archives.
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