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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Family Legacy and Land History in McCormick County
A family in McCormick County, South Carolina, is reflecting on the long history of their land and the legacy left behind as county leaders prepare to vote on rezoning requests for a proposed data center development. For Kennetta Robertson, the remnants of her family’s former home serve as a strong connection to the past and a reminder of the generations that preceded her.
A Past Shaped by Eminent Domain and Land Loss
The Robertson family's experience with land loss began over a century ago. In 1899, James and Francis Robertson, Kennetta’s great-grandparents, purchased nearly 400 acres of land in McCormick County for $2,000. However, during the 1940s, the family says that their land was taken through eminent domain for the creation of what would become Strom Thurmond Lake. Today, only the front steps of their former home remain, now residing within Hamilton Branch State Park.
“The fact that we have this to even touch and the fact the steps exist throughout the years, over 100 years, that’s a testament,” Kennetta Robertson said, speaking of the enduring symbol those steps represent for her family and other longtime residents of the area.
Recent Concerns About Property Impact and Future Development
Kennetta’s father later purchased approximately three acres just a short distance from the family’s former land. He operated a plumbing business on the property for 47 years before retiring. Now, the land sits directly across from one of the proposed data center sites. With county officials considering rezoning requests for the development, the Robertsons are once again concerned about what changes may come to their community and property.
While there have been no confirmed plans to use eminent domain for the family's current land, Kennetta Robertson is thinking about how ongoing development and rezoning could impact her family’s future. “How does it impact the grandkids, the great-grandkids?” she asked, acknowledging concerns about the long-term effects on future generations.
Broader Community Concerns
Robertson’s concerns go beyond her family’s history. She highlighted the presence of homes, churches, and schools near the proposed data center development, questioning how the project could affect the broader community. She emphasized the importance of considering not only current residents, but also the impact on generations to come. The family's past experience with eminent domain makes them especially attentive to the decisions now facing the community.
Upcoming Public Meeting and Council Vote on Rezoning Requests
The McCormick County Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday, October 20, on rezoning requests for three properties, including the site proposed for data center development located across from the Robertson family’s current property. The Council is also expected to address another ordinance and a tax assessment issue during their meeting. The public meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Mims Activity Center.
Source: wjbf.com.
