Woodruff, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Woodruff is a city in partanburg County, South Carolina, located in the "Upstate" area. The population was 4,090 at the 2010 census.
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 mile (0.1035995244 km²), or 0.54%, is water.
and North Carolina
. They were primarily veterans of the Revolution
and their families.
Joseph Woodruff received a grant of 200 acres (80.9 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.
Other city departments include the fire department, parks and recreation, building codes and zoning, police department, streets department, and sewer department.
Throughout its history, Woodruff High has experienced a large amount of success in athletics, most notably football. Under the leadership of Coach Willie Varner
, Woodruff High athletics has numerous state titles. In 2011, Woodruff High advanced to the South Carolina 2A Division I State Championhip game against Timberland.
Woodruff is also home to the Project Fun Homeschool Co-op which serves students in Spartanburg, Greenville, Laurens and Union counties.
The Woodruff Times is part of the Hometown News Group which publishes several newspapers across the Upstate. The first edition of The Woodruff Times was printed May 11, 1950. It is a weekly paper that is available for home delivery by subscription, or can be purchased from newspaper boxes downtown.
The Woodruff City Bulletin is published monthly, with free copies available around town and for download online.
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.
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.
Geography
Woodruff is located at 34°44′26"N 82°1′57"W (34.740530, -82.032580).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 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 VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. They were primarily veterans of the Revolution
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and their families.
Joseph Woodruff received a grant of 200 acres (80.9 ha), which would later become the site of the city of Woodruff. He came to this area from the Yadkin River
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
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.
Government and city departments
Brad Burnett is the current mayor. City Council members include Mattie Norman, Toni Sloan, William Arnold, Kenneth Gist, 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 Willie Varner
Willie Varner
W. L. "Willie" Varner was a high school football coach. He coached for 42 seasons at Woodruff High School in Woodruff, South Carolina, amassing 383 victories, 10 state titles, and 28 conference titles...
, Woodruff High athletics has numerous state titles. In 2011, Woodruff High advanced to the South Carolina 2A Division I State Championhip 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 two newspapers and one radio station that are Woodruff specific.The Woodruff Times is part of the Hometown News Group which publishes several newspapers across the Upstate. The first edition of The Woodruff Times was printed May 11, 1950. It is a weekly paper that is available for home delivery by subscription, or can be purchased from newspaper boxes downtown.
The Woodruff City Bulletin is published monthly, with free copies available around town and for download online.
WQUL
WQUL
WHET is a radio station broadcasting a classic country format. Licensed to West Frankfort, Illinois, USA, the station serves the Marion-Carbondale area. The station is currently owned by Withers Broadcasting of Southern Illinois, LLC and features programing from ABC Radio and Westwood...
is a radio station located in Woodruff that plays oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
, carries local sports games, and keeps the community abreast of local events. It can be found at 95.9 FM.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,229 people, 1,678 households, and 1,130 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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 natives
- Sammy TaylorSammy TaylorSamuel James T. "Sammy" Taylor was an English professional footballer, who played at inside forward for various clubs in the 1920s, including Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton.-External links:*...
, Major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from 1958-1963 with the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.