EMail To A Friend

Santee, SC

For such a small town, Santee sure has a rich past, historically speaking. As far back as the 1500s Spanish explorers discovered indigenous people living in mud and bark huts on the banks of a broad river. Those people called themselves Santee, and became the namesake for the river, and the settlement that took root two hundred years later.

During the Revolutionary War the British established a fort on the banks of the Santee River in what became a futile attempt to fend off local militia who would attack supply lines and British troops. Employing a hit and run style of fighting, the Patriot militia wreaked havoc among the British and then disappearing back into the dense swamps before the Redcoats barely had time to get off a shot. During the Civil War the area was a confederate stronghold. But what Santee is probably best known for is coming in second place to Orlando as the location of Walt Disney’s second little theme park. Had Mr. Disney opted to build in South Carolina, Santee would be a very different place. Thankfully, he didn’t, and now the quiet little town is becoming a popular retirement destination for those wanting to get back to the small town way of life.

Today, roughly 740 people call Santee home, many of them are retirees from Northern states, grateful for the temperate climate the area provides. Though the town may be small, it is not lacking of things to do. The area has 15 golf courses, some of the best freshwater fishing in the South, and the Santee Wildlife Refuge and Santee State Park provides numerous outdoor activities.

“ Santee is probably best known for coming in second place to Orlando as the location of Walt Disney’s second little theme park."

Santee takes great pride in being a retirement destination. Besides offering a lower than average cost of living, area developers have built several communities with retirees in mind.

Situated just off Interstate- 95, Santee recently opened South Carolina’s largest outlet mall, a favorite for locals and travelers alike.