Abbeville is located in Abbeville County, South Carolina and has a population of 5,840 as per the 2000 census by the US Census Bureau. It is a link between the old and the new charms of the region and it’s people are thoroughly devoted to preserving this charm evident in its natural beauty, historic buildings and sites. The slow, quiet and peaceful pace of life here attracts people from nearby areas either for the purpose of acquiring a permanent residence or for a short tour of the region.
It was one of five counties carved out of the old Ninety Six District in 1785. The courthouse town of Abbeville was built on the land that once belonged to revolutionary war leader, Andrew Pickens. Famous statesman, John C. Calhoun had also launched his public career from here. Many influential people like, the nineteenth century black leader Bishop Henry Mcneal Turner, one of the founders of the African Methodist Church, and Thomas D. Howie, twentieth century national hero who was known as "the Major of St. Lo" in World War II have lived here. Today, Abbeville is famous for its elegant Opera House, The Burt House (meeting place of the Confederate Council of War) and the Trinity Church, an exquisite sample of Gothic Revival architecture built in 1860. The beautiful town of Abbeville is also the place where the Confederacy was born as the first reading of the secession papers giving birth to the Confederacy was held at the Burk Stark Mansion. The “cause” died here as well when President Jefferson Davis and his war council formally met and disbanded the armies. The town square provides excellent shopping and dining opportunities and its Opera House invites all to enter the special world of theatre. It was in the late 1950s, that the Opera House was revived under the leadership of George W. Settles for the purpose of preserving live theater in Jefferson Davis. Since its restoration, the Opera House has continued to draw people’s attention to Abbeville.
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