Located on Georgetown Harbor of the Sampit River, which flows into the Winyah Bay, is the colonial county seat of Georgetown County - Georgetown, South Carolina. The Georgetown District petitioned for harbor status, which was granted in 1732 by King George II, and subsequently was designed and surveyed by Elisha Screven.
Once Georgetown was designated as a harbor, it deserved the twin changes of protection from pirates and customs collection (taxes). The responsibility of tax collection was a minor concern at the time considering the ongoing danger of pirates, names such as Blackbeard, the pirate, who have long inflicted terror and plunder upon the rich harbors of colonial South Carolina.
Georgetown is still a harbor today to shallow draft ships in Georgetown harbor or here on Winyah Bay: Above and below. images by Stan Deatherage
Click here and the map for an expanded view of northeastern South Carolina.
images by Stan Deatherage
The Georgetown Downtown Commercial District backs up to the Georgetown Harbor just off the Sampit River. images by Stan Deatherage
The harbor behind the colorful clad, quaint shops in the commercial district is still vital today. Looking down the river toward Winyah Bay: Above. Looking up the Sampit River toward the rear of the shops along Front Street, to the front, and the river-walk along the back: Below. images by Stan Deatherage