It’s hard to believe the fascinating story of Lake Murray began almost a century ago. As modern technology emerged in the 1920s, there was a need to provide electricity to South Carolina. The lake and its dam were the answer. From its start as an engineering marvel of its time to the touching stories of the historic communities once there and its current status as a star of South Carolina’s recreational landscape, Lake Murray is celebrated. As its centennial approaches in 2027, plans are already underway to honor this treasured resource.
The Beginning
His name was William S. Murray, a chief engineer from New York hired by Congress to establish electric power grids in the United States. On a work visit to South Carolina in 1923, Murray explored the Saluda River Valley and concluded that its topography made it ideal for developing a dam and a 50,000-acre reservoir for electrical power.
Understandably, it wasn’t easy. The team needed to purchase 1,100 land parcels – the homes of 5,000 people. What’s more, the land that would become the reservoir contained churches, bridges, schools, and graveyards with the graves of thousands of people whose families had lived in the valley for generations. The work included removing three churches, six schools, and more than 2,300 graves.
Nearly 2,000 men moved to the area for jobs clearing trees using hand saws and axes, earning just pennies a day. Dozens of sawmills opened. Cut timber provided lumber needed for the dam construction and railroad tracks to haul supplies.
The dam Mr. Murray helped build was the largest earthen dam in the world at the time. And the lake was the world’s largest man-made reservoir. The workers began to fill the lake with water from the Saluda River in 1929. The dam generated its first power in 1930. So thankful for the work of Mr. Murray, the lake was named in his honor.
In addition to the 41-mile-long and 14-mile-wide reservoir, Lake Murray also contained ghosts of its past. Some families chose not to move their ancestors’ graves from now underwater hamlets like Derrick, Cantsville, Savilla, and Lorena, to name a few. There’s a bridge and homes underwater. And during World War II, a B-25C bomber that crashed during a training mission over the lake fell to the murky bottom below, remaining there for decades.
But as time marched on, people began to see the lake as more than a power generator – it became a popular recreational destination.
Economic Development and Entertainment Destination
In the second half of the 20th century, visitors began coming to Lake Murray to boat, fish, swim, and build homes. Marinas and restaurants went up. Real estate became lucrative. The lake earned a reputation for being one of the best fishing locales in the country with a variety of well-stocked fish.
Lake Murray has hosted more than a dozen fishing tournaments in the last two years with participants attending from 20 countries, including a bass tournament broadcast on national television, with commentators commenting on the assets of the lake.
Recently, USA Today voted Lake Murray the second-best lake in the United States for water sports – ranking right behind Lake Erie. Lake events bring in at least $75 million each year, according to Capital City/Lake Murray Country. Due to these attributes, a handful of new businesses are opening around the shoreline.
Lake Murray native Brandon Crutchfield recently bought and revitalized the old Putnam’s Landing in the center of the lake and is a new co-owner of the new Putnam’s Harbor that opened this spring. It’s now a technologically impressive marina with 340 boat slips, links to a phone app to get your vessel in the water, and a store to stock up as you’re on your way. Also, free popsicles for kids and food trucks with electronic ordering options on weekends from the water.
His love for the lake and its history is clear. That’s why he bought Putnam’s. “When I was a child, I could drive a jet ski there before I could drive a car,” he said. “They were famous for their cheeseburgers. But when the lake went through a drawdown in the early 2000s, the marina eventually closed.”
Mr. Crutchfield calls Lake Murray an incredible natural resource he wants to be the best for families. “I worked in private yachting and was all over the world for years. I was always envious of my friends who were running around Lake Murray. It’s beautiful and it’s home.”
Celebrating 100 Year
Plans are already in the works to celebrate Lake Murray’s centennial in the summer of 2027, spearheaded by Capital City/Lake Murray Country President & CEO Miriam Atria.
A week of celebratory events will include an air show with vintage and military airplanes, fireworks, a commemorative book with Dominion Energy about the history of building the dam and backup dam, and a speakers’ series about the history of the lake and dams at locations around the Midlands.
Capital City/Lake Murray Country is looking for people who have great stories about Lake Murray through the years. “Maybe your grandfather told you a story, or you have some commemorative artifacts,” Mrs. Atria said. They look forward to honoring the fascinating and rich history of this South Carolina Jewel with a splash of goodwill and excitement for a bright future.
If you have an interesting story about Lake Murray, artifacts, or photos, please call Capital City/Lake Murray Country at 803-781-5940.