Wagener Museum
Prior to 1887 the area now known as the Wagener
Community was called Guntersville, and its residents
were primarily engaged in agriculture, for their
livelihood. The coming of the railroad, "The Swamp
Rabbit", in 1887 drew farmers, timberjacks, and
entrepreneurs into town and connected their society to
other towns along the route.
(Left text:)
The principal motivation for the railroad,
the kaolin industry, opened Wagener to
the outside world. Timber could then be
transported to Charleston much faster
than former days of Edisto River rafting.
Wagener took its name from the Wagener
brothers of Charleston who were
merchants and influential developers of the
railroad. Churches, schools, business
establishments, and industry came to
Wagener providing a desirable
environment for its citizens. As time
passed, the automobile and highway system
brought an end to the railroad, but
Wagener continued to grow and prosper.
(Right text)
The Wagener Museum (Picture included) endeavors
to display documents and artifacts testamentary
to the life and times of those citizens who
have lived here since that Christmas Eve of
1887 when "The Swamp Rabbit" came chugging
into town.
(Center Picture)
Wagener 1887
(Upper right picture)
The Wagener Museum and Wagon House
(Lower right Picture)
Exhibits on display in the Wagener Museum
Marker is on Lee Street N. near Old Ninety Six / Indian Trail (South Carolina Route 39), on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
