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The two RV Gypsies in Sumter, SC
September 4, 2023
(Labor Day)
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Sumter is a city in and the
county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The city
makes up the Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Sumter County,
along with Clarendon and Lee counties, form the core of Sumter-Lee-Clarendon
Tri-county (or East Midlands) area of South Carolina that includes three
counties straddling the border of the Sandhills (or Midlands), Pee Dee,
and Lowcountry regions. The population was 43,463 at the 2020 census,
making it the 8th most populous city in the state. |
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The two photos below are each end of one
big long mural by the rooftop of a building. The two RV Gypsies tried
to find a way to see the entire mural but could not. |
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Below: The city and county of Sumter bear the name of
General Thomas Sumter, the "Fighting Gamecock" of the American
Revolutionary War, therefore there was a statue in the town, and it
is shown below. But Karen Duquette took the photo out the window of
the moving car, as Lee Duquette did not stop there.
During the Civil War, the town was an important supply and railroad
repair center for the Confederacy. After the war, Sumter grew and prospered,
using its large railroad network to supply cotton, timber, and by the
start of the 20th century, tobacco to the region.
During the 20th century, Sumter grew into a major industrial center.
Still a unique business founded in 1923, Palmetto Pigeon Plant has grown
into one of the largest producers of squab, poussin (chicken), cornish
game hen, and silkie chickens in the world. Starting with the opening
of Shaw Air Force Base (now home to the 9th Air Force, 20th Fighter
Wing, and United States Army Central) in 1941, industry grew, especially
after World War II. Sumter became increasingly known for textiles, manufacturing,
biotech industries, a thriving retail environment, and medical center
of its region in addition to agricultural products, which makes it a
hub for business in the east-central portion of South Carolina. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies have seen many
unusal things in small cities, but Butterflies on the poles were a first.
These are the type of things that Karen Duquette calles "oddities"
and there is a whole list of oddiites
on this website. Thus the Oddities button, plus red alphabeical
letters and other special categories at the top of most pages. |
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Below: Dalzell Water District
water tower. The two RV Gypsies post water towers because their granddaughter
and their great-grandchilden like them so much that Karen Duquette made
them a special book of watertowers. If you like watertowers, use the
TOC button at the top of any page and choose the red letter "W"
and scroll down. (or click here). |
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Dinner at Wateree Cajun Restaurant.
2423 Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020
phone: '-803/432.3668 |
The two RV Gypsies are not really canjun fans, but since
this was Labor Day, it was the only restaurant in the area open besides
fast food. But they did have buffallo wings (only hot sauce, no medium
sauce) and they had fried shrimp. The wings and shrimp were amazingly
great. Just the right amount of crunchy breading, not too thick. Even
the coleslaw was perfect. But this place does not have a dishwasher
so the food was served on paper plates, which Karen Duquette hates.
Otherwise it would have gotten a perfect rating. It was off hours, so
the two RV Gypsies had the restaurant to themselves. The tables were
clean and the floor was very clean, so maybe the place is a bit on the
new side. The bathrooms were also spotless. But they were one person
at a kind type of bathroom. It was in the same parking lot as two other
stores. If the two RV Gypsies lived near here, which they do not, they
would eat here a lot, but Karen Duquette would bring her own medium
hot sauce for the wings. |
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Karen Duquette posted the hours below, but of course,
as time passes, this could change. |
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Below: View right and left from the booth where the
two RV Gypsies were sitting. |
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Below: Oops Karen Duquette did not photograph the food
until it was almost gone. Prices were resonable too. |
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