Orangeburg

Around Orangeburg

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Town and around · South Carolina · 83k people

Orangeburg

“Peach Capital of South Carolina”, “The Big Peach”

Where peaches and Bulldogs grow.

GarnetBluePeach Orange

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Welcome to Orangeburg, where the peaches are sweet and the river runs slow. Whether you're here for the gardens, the college, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly smile and a good story. Come sit a spell on the porch and enjoy a boiled peanut.

Clubs for Orangeburg

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The room

One room for everyone around Orangeburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

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Things to do

  • Edisto Memorial Gardens Roses and azaleas along the Edisto River.
  • Historic downtown Orangeburg Brick streets and local shops.
  • Peach water tower Iconic peach-shaped water tower.
  • South Carolina State University campus Historic HBCU campus.
  • Edisto River Canoeing and fishing.
  • I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium Art and planetarium on SC State campus.
  • Outdoors Fishing on the Edisto River
  • Outdoors Walking the Edisto Memorial Gardens
  • With kids Visiting Edisto Memorial Gardens
  • With kids Peach picking with the kids
  • Evenings Catching a South Carolina State Bulldogs game
  • Evenings Live music at downtown venues
  • Locals love Peach orchards
  • Locals love Boiled peanut stands

Through the year

  • Orangeburg County Fair October Classic county fair with rides, games, and local food.
  • Festival of Roses April Celebrates the blooming roses at Edisto Memorial Gardens.
  • Edisto Riverfest June River activities, music, and food along the Edisto.
  • SC State homecoming October Bulldogs football game and campus celebrations.
  • Orangeburg Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through historic downtown.

Hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are ideal. Summer is for peaches and river floats; winter is quiet with occasional frost. Best: Spring and fall are ideal.

Talk like a local

“The Burg”
Orangeburg
“Edisto”
The Edisto River
“State”
South Carolina State University
“Peach City”
Nickname for Orangeburg

Getaways

Local flavour

Teams

  • South Carolina State Bulldogs NCAA Division I (MEAC)

Also rooting for University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Clemson Tigers

Eat and drink

  • Peach cobbler A signature dessert made with local South Carolina peaches.
  • Peach ice cream Creamy dessert often found at roadside stands and orchards.
  • Boiled peanuts A Southern roadside staple, often sold at stands along highways.
  • Fried chicken Classic Southern comfort food, common at family gatherings and local diners.
  • Collard greens Slow-cooked leafy green, a traditional side dish in the region.

Where people go

  • Peach orchards Rolling fields of peach trees, especially in the summer, with roadside stands selling fresh fruit.
  • Edisto Memorial Gardens A serene garden along the Edisto River, known for its azaleas and walking paths.
  • Historic downtown Orangeburg Brick streets, local shops, and a classic small-town Southern square.
  • Peach water tower An iconic water tower painted like a peach, a beloved local landmark.
  • South Carolina State University campus A historic HBCU campus with stately buildings and a lively college atmosphere.

Heritage and traditions

Orangeburg is proud of its rich African-American heritage, its role in the civil rights movement, and its deep roots in agriculture, especially peaches. Locals also take pride in SC State University, a historically black university that has been a pillar of the community since 1896.

This time of year in Orangeburg

  • SC State football tailgating Fall Fall Saturdays are for tailgating and cheering on the Bulldogs.

Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to

Festivals

  • Orangeburg Peach Festival June Celebrates the area's peach harvest with food, music, and family activities.
  • Orangeburg County Historical Society's Candlelight Tour December Tours historic homes and churches decorated for the holidays.

Landmarks with a story

  • Trinity United Methodist Church A historic congregation with roots in the 19th century.
  • Zion Baptist Church A cornerstone of the African-American community, active in civil rights.
  • The Old Orangeburg County Jail Now houses the Orangeburg County Historical Museum.

Food traditions

  • Mustard-based barbecue A Midlands style with a tangy mustard sauce, a staple at cookouts and restaurants.
  • Sweet tea The house drink, served cold and sweet at every meal.
  • Pimento cheese A spread of cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise, used in sandwiches and as a dip.
  • Banana pudding A church-supper classic with layers of vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding.
  • Sweet potato pie A holiday favorite, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Music and arts

  • Gospel music A pillar of local culture, with choirs in many churches.
  • SC State Marching 101 The university's celebrated marching band, a source of pride.
  • Blues heritage Local musicians keep the blues tradition alive.

A little history

  • 1735 Founding by German, Swiss, and Dutch settlers.
  • 1896 South Carolina State University established as a land-grant college for African Americans.
  • 1968 Orangeburg Massacre: three students killed during civil rights protests.
  • Early 1900s Peach industry boom, earning the nickname 'Peach Capital'.

Rivalries

  • Gamecocks vs. Tigers Friendly rivalry between USC and Clemson fans.
  • SC State vs. other HBCU teams Football rivalries in the MEAC.
  • Orangeburg vs. Sumter High school football rivalry.
  • Game day SC State football tailgating
  • Game day Friday night lights
  • Outdoors Swimming in the Edisto River
  • Outdoors Camping along the river
  • With kids Visiting the I.P. Stanback Museum
  • With kids Attending SC State football games

People speak with a Southern accent, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The city name is pronounced 'Ornj-burg' by locals.

Only here

  • The Edisto River is the longest free-flowing blackwater river in North America.
  • Orangeburg is known as the 'Peach Capital' of South Carolina.
  • SC State is the state's only public historically black university.
  • The Edisto Memorial Gardens boast one of the largest rose collections in the Southeast.
New here? A few tips
  • Try the mustard-based barbecue and sweet tea.
  • Be ready for hot, humid summers and afternoon thunderstorms.
  • Learn to say 'Ornj-burg' like a local.
  • Get a car; public transit is limited.
  • Check out the Edisto River for kayaking and fishing.

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Part of Columbia area

Nearby

Every area
ColumbiaSouth CarolinaThe Midlands' beating heart, where history and hospitality flow.ManningSouth CarolinaWhere the pines meet the waterBarnwellSouth CarolinaWhere the pines meet the Salkehatchie.SumterSouth CarolinaWhere Southern spirit takes flightWalterboroSouth CarolinaWhere the rivers run black and the oaks hang low.BishopvilleSouth CarolinaWhere the cotton grows tall and the pace is slow.AugustaGeorgiaA river town with a green heartNewberrySouth CarolinaA quiet place with a big heart.

Orangeburg, SC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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