|
Population
The population was 11,939 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 42,199. This urban cluster is included as part of the larger Greenville-Spartanburg Metropolitan Area. History
 Cherokee Indians, daring pioneers, American Patriots, notable statesmen, educators, business leaders, and many others have called Clemson Home. Originally inhabited by the Cherokee Indian Nation, the Clemson area has an interesting history filled with Indian lore. The influences of the Cherokee Indians still linger and are especially evident in names of outdoor attractions like Issaqueena Falls, Lakes Keowee and Jocassee, and even Table Rock Mountain, aptly named by the Indians because it resembles a large table.
As the pioneers moved westward, the rich soil and moderate climate were appealing. Fortresses were constructed as small frontier villages were established. Shortly after the American Revolution, the Cherokee Indians, who sided with Britain during the war, surrendered their claims to the land. Veterans joined the early pioneers to establish farms with cotton being the crop of choice.
Later, wealthy plantation owners and notable statesmen from across South Carolina began building second homes in the Upstate to take advantage of the moderate summer climate. John C. Calhoun, former Vice President of the United States, was among those who built a home in the area. As a tribute to this great statesman, the town was originally named Calhoun, and the university bears the name of Calhoun's son-in-law, Thomas Green Clemson, who purchased the plantation and later deeded it to the state of South Carolina to establish a college.
Through the years, Clemson University and the community have grown and prospered together, maturing from a small agricultural college to a leading university and a small settlement of homes and businesses to a modern-day village. Founded in Central in 1906, Southern Wesleyan University has been providing a quality Christian education for 100 years. Many historical sites have been preserved and are open for the public. A variety of museums and educational centers provide fun and interactive ways to learn about the history and heritage of the Clemson Area! Links
|
