Don’t Sleep On Blenheim
Maybe you’ve heard of Blenheim?
By Alexandria Swain
The town of Blenheim is located in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Maybe you’ve heard of Blenheim Ginger Ale? That’s right. The famous ginger ale is originally from this town!
Blenheim has a rich history spanning 225 years. It was originally known as Mineral Springs or Spring Hill, however, in 1883 it was renamed Blenheim in honor of Blenheim Palace by Donald Matheson. Matheson developed the town and laid out home sites in the area. He is originally from Scotland, but he renamed the town after Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England for the Duke of Marlborough which is who Marlboro County is named after.
Blenheim Mineral Springs
In 1781, Patriot James Spears was running from the British during the Revolutionary War. Story has it that his shoe came off in a natural spring as he was running away, and when he returned he noticed the amount of water in his shoe was bubbling. He drank from it and noticed a strong mineral content. Once there was knowledge of mineral springs, it spread through the community like wildfire. Several wealthy landowners built summer homes near the springs and a spa was even developed. This is surely part of the reason the town was first known as Mineral Springs or Spring Hill originally.
Blenheim Ginger Ale
In the late 1890s, Dr. Charles R. May advised patients to drink the water for stomach pain relief. Dr. May would mix Jamaican Ginger, sugar, and water among other ingredients and thus the beginning of Blenheim Ginger Ale was born! The building where the bottles were originally bottled in 1920 still stands by the springs. The ginger ale is still made and sold to this day by Shafer Distributors of Dillon. To learn more visit www.blenheimgingerale.com
Blenheim Agriculture
Blenheim is a farming community and Pat Rogers, founder of Agfuse, saw a
wonderful opportunity and need for a way to connect with others in the world of agriculture
quickly. AgFuse is a free networking tool specifically for farmers and other agricultural
professionals to connect while sharing information and forming valuable associations.
Farmers, experts, suppliers and farm organizations can all effectively communicate through this one tool. Members can learn about the latest innovations, research, policies and more. It’s as easy as downloading the app to start! www.agfuse.com
Another Successful Businesses From Blenheim
Another great business is Drake Boat Works. Founded by the Drake brothers, Wilds and Jordan build a number of limited boats each year because they pay close attention to detail and quality.
They handcraft skiffs that are built by fishermen for fisherman. They were born in Marlboro
County and have been building and rebuilding for as long as they can remember. They grew up taking apart and “improving” anything they could whether it was bikes or surfboards to vacuum cleaners and now boats. They specialize in vacuum infusion, carbon, carbon/innegra laminate, and post-cured epoxy laminate. Definitely check them out if you can at www.drakeboatworks.com
There is fun history as well as great history being made today out of Blenheim. Innovative
businesses have been produced and are still doing well to this day as well as the newer
ones thriving.
Don’t sleep on Blenheim.
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