Brewer’s
Plantation
Brewer's Plantation, a historic Southern estate originally granted by King George III, stands just 20 miles from Camden, South Carolina, as a treasured fixture for the Wateree Hounds. Spanning over 2,500 acres of rolling hills, towering boulders, red clay ravines, and hardwood forests, this remarkable property offers hunters a unique glimpse into the Piedmont's natural splendor. At its heart lies the original plantation house, built in 1799 and perched atop the highest crest, where its sweeping ten-mile views transport riders to the 19th century. Through generations of the Brewer family, from William Brewer (1774-1860) through today's steward John Brewer III, the property has endured historical challenges while maintaining its legacy of conservation and careful land management.
The property's rugged terrain creates an unparalleled venue for fox hunting with the Wateree Hounds, featuring breathtaking boulders, hidden ravines, and historic artifacts that offer an exhilarating and immersive hunting experience. From the serenity of the valleys to the camaraderie of post-hunt gatherings at the old sharecropper's house—complete with an outdoor kitchen and inviting fire pit—Brewer's Plantation provides a rich tapestry of natural wonder, historical intrigue, and timeless Southern hospitality. The dedication to preservation under the Brewer family's stewardship ensures this profound connection between the land, its stewards, and hunting traditions continues to flourish for future generations.
Knights Hill Plantation
Knights Hill Plantation, established before the Revolutionary War by Captain John Chesnut and later home to U.S. Senator James Chesnut Jr. and his wife Mary Boykin Chesnut, encompasses 2,695 acres of prime fox hunting terrain six miles northwest of Camden along the Wateree River. The landscape offers exceptional variety, from natural stands of longleaf and loblolly pines providing ideal cover to extensive hardwood vistas creating dramatic settings for viewing the chase. The managed pine plantations add diversity to the runs, offering both open areas and dense cover, while the rolling topography presents riders with varying degrees of challenge throughout the property.
The plantation's distinctive elevation changes provide spectacular views of Lake Wateree, creating memorable vantage points for observers and excellent opportunities for watching hounds work the lower grounds. Through its partnership with Tall Timbers Carolina Regional Quail Program, Knights Hill maintains active conservation practices that enhance the natural habitat while preserving optimal conditions for traditional fox hunting, ensuring diverse cover, well-maintained trails, and healthy wildlife populations throughout the hunting seasons. This commitment to conservation continues the legacy of stewardship that began with the Chesnut family over two centuries ago.
Macburn Plantation
MacBurn Plantation, with a heritage spanning over two centuries, stands as a testament to the resilience and continuity of a family-owned farm that has gracefully navigated the challenges of history. Spanning a rich tapestry of pines, lowlands, ponds, row-crops, sandhills, and dense hardwoods, the plantation is beautifully cradled by the historic Lynches River. This land has seen the succession of seven generations, each contributing to its storied legacy and ensuring its operation through the tumultuous times of the Great Depression, the devastating influenza epidemic, and the turmoil of the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the strategic location of MacBurn played a pivotal role when General Sherman’s troops found themselves halted at its banks, the Lynches River creating a natural barrier that inadvertently protected the estate. This unforeseen pause in the march of war allowed the family to safeguard their precious heirlooms and china, sparing many of the plantation's structures from destruction by fire. Historically, cotton dominated as the plantation's primary cash crop, but in recent times, MacBurn has shifted its focus towards conservation. Efforts have been made to nurture the land back to its natural state with the planting of grasslands, long-leaf pines, and the creation of habitats conducive to quail populations.
Moreover, the recent acquisition of Whitehaven Plantation marks a significant expansion of MacBurn's equestrian facilities and offerings, enriching its heritage and recreational appeal. The Clyburn family, stewards of this land through generations, continues to open their estate to the Wateree Hounds, embracing both tradition and the future. MacBurn Plantation remains a vibrant, living legacy, inviting exploration and appreciation of its deep historical roots, natural beauty, and the enduring bond between the land and those who care for it.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf, affectionately known as "The Mountain" locally, is a striking geological marvel rising a hundred feet above the Carolina Sandhills' surrounding landscape. Nestled within the 47,000 acres of Sand Hills State Forest adjacent to U.S. Highway 1, it offers a network of easy riding trails through rolling sand hills. Riders traverse paths of red clay and white sand, winding through diverse forests of dogwoods, pine, and hardwoods, showcasing both new and old growth. This area is part of the Sand Hills State Forest, which spans Chesterfield and Darlington counties, a region formed by deep, infertile sands from an ancient sea, marking a distinct ecosystem in South Carolina.
The history of Sand Hills State Forest began with its purchase by the federal government between 1935 and 1939, as part of a relief effort under the Resettlement Administration, to rehome landowners to more arable lands. Managed by the SC Forestry Commission since 1939, and fully acquired by the state in 1991, Sand Hills has served as a forest management demonstration area. Efforts have focused on land restoration, wildfire protection, and reforestation, particularly emphasizing the native longleaf pine. These conservation efforts, alongside a wildlife management program and a prescribed burning strategy, have transformed the once-degraded land into a thriving habitat for timber production and diverse wildlife species, making it a prime location for the Wateree Hounds' hunting activities.
H. Cooper Black State Park
H. Cooper Black Memorial State Park, nestled in the Sand Hills State Forest of Chesterfield County, stands as a living tribute to Dr. H. Cooper Black, Jr., a man whose legacy intertwines with South Carolina's natural beauty and its sporting traditions. Opened in 2006, the park spans 7,000 acres of longleaf pine forests and open fields, offering a premier venue for national-level field trial and retriever competitions, and is renowned as one of the most equestrian-friendly parks in South Carolina. With over 20 miles of trails and comprehensive equestrian facilities, it provides an exceptional setting for horseback riding enthusiasts to explore the serene landscapes of South Carolina.
The park honors Dr. Black, a respected surgeon and avid outdoorsman, who contributed significantly to sport hunting and natural resource conservation through his active participation in the Sandlapper Field Trial Club and his role as Chairman of the South Carolina Sporting Dog Commission. His dedication to the great outdoors and his commitment to sportsmanship and conservation have left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations to cherish and protect the natural world. H. Cooper Black Memorial State Park serves not only as a recreational haven but also as a monument to Dr. Black's enduring legacy, fostering a deep appreciation for nature and the sporting life among all who visit.
Lugoff Farms
Nestled along the meandering banks of the Wateree River stands as a testament to both a rich familial legacy and a deep historical significance. This expansive land, once under the stewardship of Heath Manning, a figure synonymous with the sport of polo and a key player in its local and national prominence, now serves as the cherished hunting grounds for the Wateree Hounds.
The property's unique geographical feature, sitting on a peninsula along the Wateree River, not only offers breathtaking natural beauty but also carries the echoes of the Wateree Indians, a tribe that once thrived in the Carolinas. The Wateree, known for their settlement along the very river that gives this land its character, were a people deeply connected to the water and the surrounding environment. Their presence along the Wateree River, near present-day Camden, South Carolina, is a narrative of survival, migration, and ultimately, integration with the Catawba tribe following the devastations of the Yamasee War of 1715.
This land, steeped in the history of the Wateree Indians—whose name possibly derives from the Catawban "wateran," meaning "to float on the water," or the Siouan-Catawba "yeh is-WAH h'reh," meaning "people of the [Wateree] river"—serves as a living bridge to the past. It is here that the Wateree Hounds, named in homage to the tribe and the river that shaped their destiny, pursue their passion for hunting, enveloped by the legacy of the land’s former guardians and the enduring spirit of Heath Manning's love for equestrian pursuits.
Plumbfield plantation
Plumbfield Plantation, renowned for its cultivation of the famed Carolina Gold rice, stands as the primary hunting ground for the Wateree Hounds. Situated within the expansive Skufful Farm, Plumbfield is part of a historic and diverse landscape that includes timberland, rice fields, creeks, ponds, and swamps along the scenic Great Pee Dee River. This plantation is not only celebrated for its agricultural significance but also as a key location for sporting and conservation efforts, providing an ideal backdrop for hunting activities.
Plumbfield Plantation is encompassed within Skufful Farm, a sprawling 26,000-acre estate owned by the Coxe family, located in the historic Mont Clare community of Darlington, South Carolina. Skufful Farm itself is a composite of nine colonial-era plantations, including Plumbfield, Skufful, and Gilmore, originally established by early 19th-century settler families. These families' legacies persist, with many descendants still residing in the area, maintaining a tangible connection to the region's rich history.
Since being acquired in 1930 by Thomas C. Coxe, Jr., the Coxe family has been instrumental in pioneering conservation efforts in South Carolina. By placing thousands of acres under conservation easement, they have shown an unwavering commitment to preserving the farm's natural resources and biodiversity. Currently, the farm thrives under the stewardship of Campbell and Meredith Coxe, along with their generational trust. The Coxes have successfully integrated their passion for equestrian and fox hunting activities into the farm's operations.