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History of Blythewood
We haven’t always been Blythewood. The Langford Road crossing of the railroad is our point of origin. In the early 1850’s, the Charlotte and SC Railroad built a rail line connecting Columbia and Charlotte atop a natural ridge dividing the Catawba and Broad River water shed basins. At the critical 90-miles-from-Charlotte distance, a depot and refueling post sprung up at the Langford Road crossing. It is believed the area was named Doko in 1873, from an African word meaning “where the iron horse drinks.” A water tower and plentiful trees formed our skyline.
Four years later, as the town grew up around the depot, the students at the Female Institute, a Christian school located just east of Sandy Level Church on property owned by the Bookhart family, suggested changing the area’s name to Blythewood. On Dec. 24, 1879, by an act of the SC General Assembly, the town was incorporated with official boundaries of 1/4 mile radius from the depot.
In the early days, railroad shipping consisted primarily of lumber, cordwood, shingles, pitch, tar, mineral spirits and cotton. More importantly, the railroad provided passenger service to and from the major cities that flank Blythewood and delivered products necessary to sustain the community around the depot. Early on, the town occupied the lower part of Fairfield County, but in 1913 the community was annexed into Richland County by petition.
The historic Town Hall, built by George Hoffman in 1855, is the oldest house in Blythewood and, along with Doko Meadows Park, built in 2010, represents the historical and cultural heart of the community.
Churches and schools have always been an important part of our community. Blythewood and Bethel Schools opened in the early 1900’s. In the early years, Sandy Level Baptist, Bethel Baptist, Trinity Methodist, and St. Marks Lutheran provided spiritual guidance. Today, Blythewood has award-winning schools, vibrant faith communities, worldclass golf courses, and a freshly-constructed branch of the Richland County Public Library.
Blythewood is, in essence, an old railroad town that developed into a great community with many civic-minded citizens. From the Doko depot origin story to our modern community celebrations, we value our historical assets and family traditions. Blythewood’s lasting prosperity is due to a blended community of families who have lived here for generations and newcomers who care deeply about our town.
Photos courtesy historyofblythewood.com. All rights reserved. For more on Blythewood’s history, visit the Blythewood Historical Society & Museum at 100 McNulty St., Blythewood or online at blythewoodhistoricalsociety.org.
Let us show you the heritage of Blythewood: family, community, the railroad, our churches, our schools and most importantly, the people of Blythewood who paved the way. Come see for yourself.
Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. See our Facebook page and website for monthly events and programs.
