Woodruff, South Carolina

Geography

Woodruff is located at 34°44′26″N 82°1′57″W (34.740530, -82.032580).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²), or 0.54%, is water.

History

The earliest history of this area begins with the membership of the Church of Christ on Jamey's Creek dated September 18, 1787. The church was named for Jamey's Creek, now called Jimmie's Creek, which heads off McArthur Street behind the Woodruff State Branch Bank on North Main Street. The early members traveled some distance to attend this church. They were from the communities of Cavins, Enoree, Crescent, Switzer and even others in Laurens County. Most of the early settlers had come from Virginia and North Carolina. They were primarily veterans of the Revolution and their families.

Joseph Woodruff received a grant of 200 acres (81 ha), which would later become the site of the city of Woodruff. He came to this area from the Yadkin River valley in North Carolina after his service in the Revolution. The first census of Spartanburg District, in 1790, shows who his neighbors were. All of these people were farmers. There were a few country stores in those days, and these were supplied by "Wagoner's".

One of Joseph Woodruff's sons, Thomas, remained in the area and dreamed of founding a town, but he did not live to see Woodruff incorporated. His two sons, Dr. Charles Pinckney Woodruff and Captain A. B. Woodruff, were most instrumental in carrying out their father's wishes. Therefore, the town was named in Thomas Woodruff's honor.

There was no town nor industry until after the town was chartered in 1874. Men from the rural areas came into Woodruff to establish businesses and the town began to grow. The two Woodruff brothers worked vigorously to get the railroad to run through the town. The railroad was completed in 1885. This caused a rapid growth of business.

The oldest standing home in Woodruff today is located on Main Street. The house was built in the 1830s by Harrison Patillo Woodruff, son of Thomas. "Squire Jim" Westmoreland bought his home in 1874 when he came to Woodruff to establish a mercantile business.

The Old Woodruff High School, First Presbyterian Church of Woodruff, and Hurricane Tavern are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Government and city departments

Brad Burnett is the current mayor. City Council members include Mattie Norman, Toni Sloan, William Arnold, James Smith, and Tony Kennedy.

Other city departments include the fire department, parks and recreation, building codes and zoning, police department, streets department, and sewer department.

Education

Woodruff is part of Spartanburg County District Four. District Four includes Woodruff Primary, Woodruff Elementary, Woodruff Middle, and Woodruff High School. It has less than 3000 students total through the district, with the average graduation class under 200 each year. Woodruff High School made Newsweek's 2010 List of America's Best High Schools.

Throughout its history, Woodruff High has experienced a large amount of success in athletics, most notably football. Under the leadership of Coach W. L. Varner, Woodruff High athletics has numerous state titles. In 2011, Woodruff High advanced to the South Carolina 2A Division I State Championship game against Timberland.

Woodruff is also home to the Project Fun Homeschool Co-op which serves students in Spartanburg, Greenville, Laurens and Union counties.

Healthcare

While Woodruff has several private practices, it has not had a hospital since BJ Workman Memorial Hospital closed its doors. The city council has been seeking a new health care facility. Woodruff also has a free clinic.

Media

Woodruff has a radio station that are Woodruff specific WQUL is a radio station located in Woodruff that plays oldies, carries local sports games, and keeps the community abreast of local events. It can be found at 95.9 FM.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,229 people, 1,678 households, and 1,130 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,154.8 people per square mile (446.1/km²). There were 1,869 housing units at an average density of 510.4 per square mile (197.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.53% White, 27.71% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.

There were 1,678 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,824, and the median income for a family was $32,966. Males had a median income of $26,204 versus $21,467 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,535. About 15.5% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people