Orangeburg

Considered unusual even within South Carolina [1], Orangeburg is hard to figure out. In this Anglophilic state, it’s named for a Dutchman, William Prince of Orange, and was originally settled by Swiss and German immigrants. The people are friendly, though this remains one of the most racially segregated towns in America.

The downtown area around Russell Street has great potential and has been improved, but just can’t seem to get anything going. They have a couple of great barbecue places, but almost no other noteworthy restaurants. Topping it off, the locals even have their own accent, a bit faster than the usual drawl you get in these parts.

Probably the most well-known Orangeburg native is Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist and TV analyst Eugene Robinson.