A Special Place to Live
Chapin is a suburb of Columbia with a population of 1,566. Chapin is in Lexington County and is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. Living in Chapin offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Chapin, popularly known as the capital of Lake Murray, is a small, lake town located at the northern tip of Lexington County, South Carolina bordering Newberry County, South Carolina to the south. Lake Murray separates Chapin from the rest of Lexington County. Chapin is located approximately 22 miles northwest of Columbia and many people commute there for work, however, the town is considered fringe rural by the US postal service.
History
Chapin is named after Martin Chapin who traveled south. After Martin Chapin and Laura Anne Benjamin were married on June 16, 1850, the couple moved down South because of Martin’s health (a lung condition). The Chapins were living in Columbia, South Carolina when Martin’s doctor suggested he move to the Piney Woods area. He bought property in this area, and over the years Chapin bought 4,218 acres. He built a home in Piney Woods and later a hotel in the 1880s along the new rail line that ran from Columbia, South Carolina to Laurens, South Carolina. The railroad provided a way to trade and transport goods to the capital city. Cotton and the lumber industry were flourishing with the railroad providing transportation.
Surrounding Activities
Chapin is fortunate to have Crooked Creek Park, part of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission, which serves the greater Chapin community. Crooked Creek offers a wide variety of recreational, cultural, instructional and social activities and hosts visitors of all ages throughout the day.
Crooked Creek Park is an essential part of the Chapin community and serves as a recreational and social hub for area residents. The park’s 53,000 square-foot community center features a full gymnasium, racquetball courts, fitness areas, indoor walking track, pottery studio, and meeting rooms. There are also athletic fields, tennis courts, disc golf course, picnic facilities, playgrounds, and paved and unpaved walking trails. In 2017, a new 70-acre outdoor sports complex will open in Chapin featuring six baseball fields, two utility fields, eight tennis courts and a splash pad.
Chapin is close to two fantastic golf courses. Timberlake Golf Club is a picturesque and challenging course located along the shores of Lake Murray while Mid-Carolina Golf Club is in nearby Prosperity, just
off Interstate 26. There is more than 20 public golf courses located throughout the Midlands, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy a round of golf.
Melvin Park recently opened just off Eptings Camp Road and includes new baseball fields, tennis courts, multi-purpose fields, guest services pavilion and a splash pad.
Dreher Island State Park spans three islands for 348 acres and provides access to 12 miles of Lake Murray shoreline. Visitors enjoy recreational and water activities, nature trails, and some of the area’s best bass fishing spots.
Events
Chapin Labor Day Parade & Festival
Each September, 20,000 + flock to Chapin for its end-of-summer celebration, featuring live music, street fair, arts and crafts, food vendors and patriotic Labor Day parade
Chapin Downtown Farmer’s Market
The Chapin Downtown Farmer’s Market will be held the first Saturdays of the month from May through October in the 100 block of Clark Street. Each month we will have exciting themes and free demonstrations designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity. We also plan to have prepared food vendors, live music, activities for kids and great SC grown produce and agriculture products.
Sources
wikipedia.com
chapinsc.com