Leggett Mill Pond near Marion, South Carolina is one of the state's rarest cypress ponds, spanning 300 acres with cypress trees, Spanish moss, and wildlife like herons and egrets. Historic millhouses still control water levels from when the pond powered the local economy. In the 1930s, hundreds gathered there for baptisms.
I think this is the prettiest pond in the state of South Carolina.
Located just 5 miles from the Marion, South Carolina airport, Calling Laggett Mill Pond a pond is like calling an alligator a lizard.
All these trees are cypress trees. There's not that many cypress ponds left. The cypress has been gathered and, and you just don't see things like this.
If you take time to look, you'll see the beautiful trees quietly governing the pond with Spanish moss. Then you'll see a turtle sunning on a rock. And perhaps a mallard family looking for a free meal at sunrise. The Leggett Mill Pond takes center stage, but there are other mature hardwoods on the approximately 300 acres— loblolly pines, white oak, and hickory. You'll find a few small tracts of land for gentleman farming. Peanuts, cotton, or tobacco. 2 mature trellises of heart-healthy muscadine vines loaded with fruit. A boat dock. And most importantly, serenity as only can be shown by nature in the 5-foot span of a great blue heron. Or a flock of egrets at sunrise. Leggett Mill Pond has a rich history, one W.C. Davis played a part in.
It was there when I was born. I was born in '34. I loved to see that thing grinding that corn.
The pond water levels are still regulated today by the historic millhouses on either end of the pond. This pond was the economic livelihood of the region and the center of religious celebrations as well.
Back then, we didn't have a pool in our church, but then on Sundays, that's where we'd— that's where we'd have baptizing down there. That whole place would be full of people down there, and it'd be so many people down there till they baptized us up. So this just was a wonderful place.
And before the mill and the baptisms, nomadic Indians made their home here— Cherokees and Catawbas. No doubt they fished this pond for the bream, catfish, and largemouth bass still here today. Today, there is a rare opportunity to purchase this link to history and nature. Continuing as a spiritual retreat for a church, some enjoy it as a hunt club. It could be your family legacy.
