Irmo, South Carolina is located only ten miles from the capital city of the state....Columbia. The 2000 Census found Irmo to be a city of just over 11,000 residents. Today the population is estimated at over 24,000 residents. In 2006, Money Magazine named Irmo the USAs "Most Affordable Places To Live." Located on one side ofLake Murray, this small-town city offers great schools and fun and recreation.
SEE A LIST OF IRMO, SOUTH CAROLINA SUBDIVISIONS
The Cherokee Indians the first to settle this area. Later German and Swiss immigrants were the first Westerners to settled. In the mid-18th century the v"Dutch Fork" area was established (this is a name still used in Irmo today.) Self-sufficient farms were established in spite of the rocky, red clay that was unsuitable for plantation farming.
In 1890, "Irmo" was incorporated and flourished along the railroad tracks of the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens railroads. The town was named by combining the first two letters of the names of two prominent railroad company men - C.J. Iredell and H.C. Moseley.
In 1930 the largest earthen dam in the world (at that time) was completed across the Saluda River, forming the 50,000 acre Lake Murray. This dam and the development of SC's Interstate 26 made possible the continuing rapid growth of the Irmo, South Carolina area. Today the shoreline of Lake Murray provides much sought-after real estate in Irmo. This town has even named itself the "Gateway to Lake Murray".
To View Irmo, SC real estate and homes for sale visit: http://denamixonhomes.com/guide/Irmo
Other Irmo, SC attractions:
Irmo Okra Strut! September 28 - 29, 2007! The Swingin' Medallions, the popular beach music band which rose to national prominence in the 1960's will headline the 2007 Okra Strut! Dubbed "Party Band of the South" the Greenwood, SC-based Swingin' Medallions reached #17 on the pop charts in 1966 with "Double Shot." The band will perform during the Friday Night Street Dance.
Mathias-Lown House - A beautiful Queen Anne style home that was built in 1905 now is the home of the Irmo Town Hall. The Lown family donated the house to Irmo and was moved from its original location, just down Woodrow Street, to the corner of Woodrow and Columbia Avenues. It has been completely renovated and it has retained its Victorian home style.
Lorick Plantation House - Also named Green Acres, was built in 1840 as a two story gabled end structure. The home did experience some damage from General Sherman as his troops set it afire, but the courageous townfolk put out the fire after the Union troops rode off laughing.
River Road House (Swygert House) - Once a parsonage for St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church, it has been moved and renovated to an honored location on Highway 6. Built around 1910, it is used for commercial and community use.
Koon Family Home - Built around 1880, this house has been moved but not altered and remains in the Koon family to this day. The home now sits atop an Irmo hill at Double Acres, just off Highway 76. Elsewhere on the location is a frame grain barn and a shed that dates to 1920. . . and a frame cotton house and the workshop/toolhouse that was built circa 1900. . . not to mention the saw mill that is over 90 years old.
Mathias-O'Sheal Home - Built over 100 years ago, this was the home of Irmo's first mayor, Luther S. Mathias. Once located on the corner of St. Andrews Road and Highway 60, it has been moved to Twin Pines Road in Little Mountain.
Cemetery Markers - Cemetery markers at St. Michael's Lutheran Cemetery and Bethel Church Cemetery display the names of those whose graves still remain beneath the deep waters of Lake Murray. Other markers around the lake remind visitors of those that are still "sleeping" under the surface.
(other attractions provided by Irmo-SC.com)
