Batesburg - Leesville Hometown,USA

As seen in the April issue of The Lake Murray magazine.

BY REBA HULL CAMPBELL

Friendly and welcoming neighbors, a cozy downtown, safe streets, community schools and a good feeling about life are what drew Mark DeLoach to Batesburg-Leesville, he says. “No matter where you’re from, Batesburg-Leesville can be your hometown,” says DeLoach, who moved from Columbia in 1993 after marrying a local girl.

“When I first started coming here, I really fell in love with this town. I love the small-town atmosphere ... a really unique community where you don't have to be from here to quickly get involved.” Now a new member of Town Council, DeLoach still applauds his adopted town. “How many places could you live today where you can let your kids walk to the store or school and know they will be safe?” Jean Rikard Best, who grew up in the area, says that small-town security hasn’t changed. “We never locked our doors, and everyone looked out for everyone else.”

Linking the small communities of Batesburg and Leesville into a consolidated whole just doubled the appeal. The 1992 union was a formality for the more than 20,000 residents who live in the area. Just a couple of miles apart, the twin towns have always been family, sharing schools, churches and community activities. The connect point for most locals is the school system. Lexington School District Three provides a primary, elementary, middle and high school for the area’s almost 2,300 students. There also is an adult learning center and a First Steps program. Local resident Marcia Purday says that every child is known to teachers and administrators. “The entire town supports the schools,” she says. “Folks who don't have children in the school system attend the sporting events and the art events. It is incredible to see how much this town loves their schools.” And one more is coming. Midlands Technical College is building a satellite campus in Batesburg-Leesville. The new 7,500-square-foot school should be open by the fall of 2007.

The local Chamber of Commerce is playing an increasingly important role in the town. “Sometimes the screw turns slowly so you can't really see things happen quickly, but we are seeing some good results in recent years,” says chamber chairman Jim Mitchell, who owns Mitchell Printing and Graphics.

Though Batesburg-Leesville combines two separate business districts, both have thrived since the merger. But plans to construct a promenade along the thoroughfare between the districts are intended to solidify the town. New streetscaping and sidewalks are already in place with plans for underground utility lines and attractive mast-arm traffic lights. Each downtown district is a couple of blocks square with a variety of retail stores, commercial buildings and eateries. While some old storefronts are boarded up, others have been renovated and given new life. Patrons of The Corner Café, formerly a drug store, dine under the building’s original pressed tin ceilings. The restaurant’s large windows allow a front-row seat on what’s happening on that corner of town. Economy Furniture’s recent facelift is part of the town’s master plan for restored buildings, decorative lighting, brick-trimmed sidewalks and more green spaces.

Despite misgivings of some local merchants, town leaders are optimistic that the new Wal-Mart going up between the two business districts will boost sales throughout the area. “We believe the Wal-Mart can bring more people into our town to shop from surrounding areas,” says DeLoach. “While some of it may be destination shopping solely benefiting Wal-Mart, we believe the increased traffic will be good for our existing businesses.” In addition to the retail businesses supporting the Batesburg-Leesville economy, the local industrial base comes from several manufacturers including J.B. Martin and Berwick Offray, both textile companies. Union Switch and Signal is also located here.

The community also attracts residents and guests to its festivals, arts events and recreational amenities. Held each May, the South Carolina Poultry Festival normally draws over 40,000 visitors to sample local recipes, arts and crafts, entertainment and retail merchandise. The Ridge Arts Council presents a variety of performing arts at the historic Haynes Auditorium. Bluegrass fans from miles away are regular visitors to the hot-pickin’ sounds of concerts usually held the fourth Saturday of every month at the Haynes. The Batesburg-Leesville Leisure Center provides facilities for baseball and soccer.

To help care for local residents, Lexington Medical Center has opened an urgent care center in town and is considering an expansion. A growing number of homebuyers find attractive options in housing. Lots of beautifully restored older homes are available at affordable prices. New construction also fills the growing demand. Nearby Lake Murray is a considerable draw to the area. Marcia and Richard Purday both work in Columbia but live on the lake near Batesburg-Leesville. “We live on the part of Lake Murray that is undeveloped,” Marcia Purday says. “At night we can see the stars and breathe fresh air. Our children can safely play in our neighborhood while exploring nature. We have ducks, geese, egrets, deer, raccoons, eagles and snakes. It is a playground wonderland for children.” Purday says they also were drawn to the small-town atmosphere. “Everyone looks out for each other and is willing to help their neighbors.”

Churches form an obvious cornerstone of the community. “On any given Sunday, the parking lots are packed,” DeLoach says. For his family, Sundays in this small town are a little different. After they walk to church, they walk over to the Corner Cafe for lunch, greet their neighbors, then walk home again. It’s the hometown way.

Web Site Development:

Copyright © 2003 - Town of Batesburg-Leesville and B&D Custom Web Design
All Rights Reserved. No Images, Graphics or
Scripts Contained Within These Pages May Be Used, Reproduced or Altered
Without the Express Written Permission of the Author.

[B-L Home][Business Lic. Ord.][Chamber of Commerce][Churches][City Council]
[City Phone Numbers][Department Websites][Email Directory][Favorite Festival][Festival Forms]
[Health Care Providers][Information Form][Lake Murray Article][ Municipal Government]
[Postal Service][Recreation][Ridge Arts Council][Schools][Warm Welcome]