Gopher Tortoise Square
Prior to the 1890's, the town of Ridgeland was
known as Gopher Hill, getting that name from the
abundance of Gopher Tortoises that inhabited the
sand hills of the area.Gopherus Polyphemus,
commonly called the Gopher Tortoise, are long lived
herbivores, typically living 40 to 60 years. They spend
much of that life in the deep burrows that they dig.
While they still can be found in the rural areas of
Jasper County, they are no longer abundant and
are now a protected endangered species.
Marker is on E. Main St. (SC 336 ) near N. Railroad Ave., on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
