Early Iron Works

Near here on Lawson’s Fork, during the American Revolution, the S.C. government as part of the war effort supported Joseph Buffington, William Wofford, and others in the construction of an iron works. It became a well-known landmark and the scene of several skirmishes, notably the “Battle of Wofford’s Iron Works” on August 8, 1780.

The Battle of Wofford’s Iron Works (Sign)
After the Battle of the Peach Trees on August 8, 1780, Colonels Elijah Clarke and Isaac Shelby retreated north to avoid another confrontation with Major Patrick Furguson. Major Ferguson did catch the Patriots at Woffard’s Iron Works on Lawson Fork Creek, but could not successfully engage them because all of the Patriots were mounted. The Patriots continued their retreat and the British returned to their camp at Cedar Springs. Originally built in 1754, the Iron Works was destroyed by the notorious Loyalist William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham in 1781.