Black Mingo Creek
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| Black Mingo Creek | |
|---|---|
  Location of the mouth of Black Mingo Creek in South Carolina | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| Counties | Williamsburg, Georgetown |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Georgetown County |
| • coordinates | 33°43′01″N 79°36′54″W / 33.71694°N 79.61500°W |
| Mouth | Black River |
• location | Williamsburg County |
• coordinates | 33°33′12″N 79°23′29″W / 33.55333°N 79.39139°W |
Black Mingo Creek is a tributary of the Black River in coastal South Carolina. The creek derives its name from the Mingo, a tribe that once inhabited the fork made by the junction of Indiantown Swamp and Black Mingo Creek.[1][2]
It is a blackwater river: the presence of tannin gives it the color of tea. The river is relatively untouched by modern development, and is mostly surrounded by wetlands of cypress and tupelo with the adjacent higher lands mostly used for conventional agriculture or tree farming. The waters are a favorite fishing site for largemouth bass and panfish. Beavers are abundant, as well as great blue herons, songbirds and crows. Occasionally a bald eagle can be sighted. Alligators are also present.
The creek drains communities around Indiantown, Nesmith, and the communities of Rome and Rose Hill.
The lower region is a deep tidal river, navigable by colonial-era ships to the former community of Willtown (later called Black Mingo, near Rhems), about halfway up the length of the creek. This village once did a thriving business exporting agricultural products such as the indigo plant, which was grown in the area and exported to Britain for use as a dye. After the American Revolution, the British market was closed to American exports, and the resulting loss of commerce led to the dwindling of the Willtown community. After the Georgetown District was split into Georgetown and Williamsburgh counties in 1804, Willtown became isolated on the outer edge of two counties.
The decision by the state in 1811 to build the creek bridge for the main north-south road about a mile downstream of Willtown accelerated the village's decline. Today, very little evidence is visible that there was ever a village there.[3]
The area is part of the proposed Francis Marion Trail as it has the site of the Battle of Black Mingo of the American Revolution, which routed the British from their attempt to fortify and hold the area.