Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve and 12,000 Year History Park

Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve
Bountiful wildlife, sunlit dappled forest paths and 12,000 years of history and pre-history are tucked away in a pristine setting at Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve, just a stone’s throw from downtown Columbia city lights. The 627-acre preserve, owned and managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, borders the Congaree River and Cayce, South Carolina. There are NO RESTROOMS in the heritage preserve; just the always available “green latrine.”

Archaeologists have found tools, pottery sherds, arrowheads, and other evidence that people have lived in and around the preserve for nearly 12,000 years. A nearby road that runs through part of the preserve is part of the Old Cherokee Trail which led from the Appalachian Mountains to the coast. Projectile points found in the area indicate it was a Native American gathering place about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. From a dig on adjacent property owned by SCE&G, there is evidence of people living there 2,500 years ago, as well as a home site from the 1760s.

Guignard Brickworks excavated clay from the property from 1911 to 1944 with peak production during World War I. The remains of the pits where clay was quarried can be found along the preserve’s Guignard Brickworks Trail. Hikers can walk an easy 3.25-mile trail loop in about 2 hours and view ponds (which are the long, water-filled trenches where clay was previously excavated) that now flourish with duckweed and lily pads and teem with wildlife, (including an occasional, elusive alligator). Seven bridges and one bench recently were added to the trail. The area is also home to a variety of snakes, turtles, bobcats, deer, hogs, hawks, waterfowl, other birds and more than 30 species of amphibians. At one time, this 70-year-old hardwood forest was farmland.

The White House designated the Guignard Brickworks Trail, which runs through part of the preserve, a Community Millennium Trail. This trail, as do dozens of Millennium Trails throughout the nation, reflects community history through natural settings. DNR plans to develop miles of walking and canoe trails through the property, as well as interpretive areas and benches along the way.

12,000 Year History Park (Timmerman Trail)
The 12,000 Year History Park on Congaree Creek in Cayce, South Carolina is a unique, stunningly beautiful 350-acre site full of natural resources and beauty. Within just one square mile, there is proof of 12,000 years of habitation including Civil War and Revolutionary War history. In addition, there are at least 12 archaeological-significant sites on the property. The diversity of cultural and historical richness at the 12,000 Year History Park is significant and unique throughout our local and regional areas as well as the State of South Carolina.

The approximately 2 miles of pathways are paved and wind through the park, crossing Congaree Creek a couple of times. iNaturalist has posted a list of 321 observed species of flora and fauna so there should be plenty for everyone to see. There are NO RESTROOMS in the history park proper; facilities are available in the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center (located at 1120 Fort Congaree Trail), but it is some distance from the hiking trail(s).

Directions to: Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve, Old State Road, Cayce, SC

Parking Lot GPS Coordinates: Latitude 33.9427, Longitude -81.0325

Take I-77 to exit #2, for Cayce and West Columbia, and go north on the 12th Street Extension for approximately 2 miles, then turn right onto Godley Street. Follow this road for about 1/3 mile to where it ends in a “T”, then turn right onto New State Road. After about 1/2 mile where the road splits, take the right fork onto Old State Road. Go past the water treatment plant and the heritage preserve parking lot will be on the right, just before the pavement ends.

Access to the 12,000 Year History Park (Timmerman Trail) loop is a short (approximately 1/4 mile) walk only from the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve parking lot. Exit the heritage preserve parking lot onto Old State Road and turn right (south). Follow the dirt road until it crosses the paved hiking path. This is a loop trail so you can go either left (east) toward the Congaree River in a clockwise loop or right (west) in a counterclockwise loop. The loop trail path will cross Old State Road again farther south and, if desired, Old State Road can be used to return directly to the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve parking lot by walking north on Old State Road (instead of taking the complete loop trail).

Dinner:
One of our members suggested the South Congaree House of Pizza as a good choice for those who wish to eat after the outing. The restaurant is about 20 minutes away from the heritage preserve and, as do all House of Pizzas, has a varied menu.

South Congaree House of Pizza & Family Restaurant
714 Main St
West Columbia, SC 29170

GPS Coordinates: 33.9141, -81.1338
PH: 803-755-7790
Website (for those who want to view the menu): www.southcongareeehouseofpizza.com