In 1821, Mathew Petterson Mayes, II built his family a home on Salem St.  His wife, Henrietta Shaw Mayes commented that as the crowds came to see the trains; their home was like a terminal station and "Mayesville" was born.  The railroad was a vital part of our town's history until the paved roads came to be. 

Mayesville is rich with history.  If you get the opportunity to visit with our more experienced citizens, do not pass it up.  They are a wealth of knowledge about the history of our town.  Before you know it, they will have you in stitches laughing.  I can promise that we have local color and character a plenty.  Mayesville, South Carolina, a town with a bright past and an even brighter future

DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE HISTORY 

     Mayesville, South Carolina is the birthplace of Mary McLeod-Bethune, civil rights leader and founder of what became Bethune-Cookman College.  She also served as an unofficial advisor to President Roosevelt.

An annual festive is held in her honor in July, the month of her birth.  Build in it namesakes honor the "Mary McLeod Bethune Nature Trail", a  3- mile nature- trail follows the old railroad bed north, with landscaping, lighting and benches so you can "sit a spell".