By SAMMY WAY
Item researcher / archivist
sway@theitem.com

Richard and Elizabeth Singleton Bradford migrated from Virginia to South Carolina during the late 1700s. In 1786, they purchased a section of land on Green Swamp in what would become Sumter County. It is on this property that Richard Bradford would build a grist mill located on a stream, which came to be known as Second Mill. A sawmill was later constructed on what is now referred to as Swan Lake and a canal was later added to connect these two streams and provide access to the mills.

It is rumored that Richard Bradford may have lived in the High Hills area of Sumter County for a period of time; however, it is noted that at the time of his death in 1825, he was living on Green Swamp Plantation, which is the current residence of Mrs. John Snowden Wilson.

Upon Richard’s death, his grandson Robert inherited all of his possessions, which included the mills and the plantation. It was at this time that a section of land was donated, and according to the will, it was “to remain free to the use of the Methodist Churches so long as they may continue the same place of religious worship.”

In 1904, Mr. W.E. Brunson purchased the mill pond, and along with Marion Moise, decided to build a power plant at this location in hopes of generating electricity for the city of Sumter.

One of the conditions of this proposal was that they would be granted permission to flood additional land in order to create enough power to turn the electric generators. Unable to acquire the necessary concessions, the two men eventually abandoned this project. The mill was then sold to W.E. Brunson’s father. He would construct a mill house on the property, which was later lost in a fire. Sometime later, the pond then came under the control of Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Brunson.

The Brunsons turned the mill into a recreational site and advertised it as “Sunset Lake.”

This lake was used for swimming and recreational activities.

The Brunsons’ would add a large bathhouse in order to provide dressing facilities on the first floor and a dance hall on the second.



Research points out that in 1920, a group that was camping near the facility allowed one of their campfires to got out of control and the bathhouse and dance hall were destroyed.

During the 1950s, a new facility, including a bathhouse, was constructed near Second Mill Pond. This area was once again opened for swimming and recreation; however, it never regained the level of popularity it once had.

The Elks Club purchased the property in 1967 with plans to restore the area to its former beauty.

The dam on the mill collapsed in 1965 because of heavy rains and therefore drained the lake.
Repairs on the dam would not begin until two years later, in February 1969. By 1971, contracts were signed for the construction of an Elks Club facility at Second Mill.

Second Mill ceased to be a recreational site as a new four-lane highway was constructed replacing the former Second Mill Road, now referred to as Old Liberty Street.

The building, which formerly housed the grist mill, has been torn down and swimming is no longer allowed.

Today, visitors may observe an occasional boater and people fishing from the banks.

Second Mill continues to be one of the more beautiful natural areas located within Sumter’s city limits.


Email Sammy Way @ Reflections Feedback or give him a call at 803-774


This photograph circa 1960's show construction of the new dam.


This photo taken by Item photographer Chris Moore shows Second Mill looking toward the intersection of Wedgefield and Pinewood Roads. This photograph was taken in October 2006.