Editing Ninety Six, South Carolina

{{Short description|Historic town in South Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Ninety Six
| official_name      = 
| other_name         = 96
| settlement_type    = [[Town (South Carolina)|Town]]
| image_blank_emblem = Town_of_Ninety_Six_SC_newer_logo.jpeg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 100px
| blank_emblem_link  = List of United States county and city insignia
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = starfortbattlefield.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Sunset over the battlefield at Star Fort
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Ninety Six South Carolina Logo.svg
| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = USA#South Carolina
| pushpin_label      = Ninety Six
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in United States
| coordinates        = {{coord|34.173211|N|82.021710|W|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-id        = Q2003674
| mapframe-point     = none
| mapframe-shape-fill = #5E0800
| mapframe-stroke-color = #5E0800
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[South Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in South Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Gregg Brown
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = May 27, 1905
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE%3D%2745%27&outFields=NAME%2CSTATE%2CPLACE%2CAREALAND%2CAREAWATER%2CLSADC%2CCENTLAT%2CCENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 15, 2022|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213082645/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE%3D%2745%27&outFields=NAME%2CSTATE%2CPLACE%2CAREALAND%2CAREAWATER%2CLSADC%2CCENTLAT%2CCENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 4.72
| area_land_km2      = 4.72
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.82
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.82
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_total   = 2076
| population_density_km2 = 439.81
| population_density_sq_mi = 1139.41
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 167
| elevation_ft       = 548
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 29666
| area_codes         = [[Area codes 864 and 821|864, 821]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 45-50290<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=December 27, 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1249874<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov/|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007|archive-date=February 2, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010202034200/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.ninetysixsc.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}

'''Ninety Six''' is a town in [[Greenwood County, South Carolina]], United States, located approximately 9 miles northeast of the county seat, [[Greenwood, South Carolina|Greenwood]]. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 2,076, making it the second-largest municipality in the county behind the City of Greenwood.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ninety Six town, South Carolina |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4550290 |access-date=February 16, 2017 |work=American Factfinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The town covers a total area of 1.82 square miles, all of which are land.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Demographics {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/demographics |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Ninety-Six, South Carolina |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/Towns/Ninety_Six_SC.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.carolana.com |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205224036/http://www.carolana.com/SC/Towns/Ninety_Six_SC.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Established on the colonial frontier in the early 18th century, Ninety Six soon became a well-known trading post.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=National Park Service - Colonials and Patriots (Ninety Six NHS) |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitea20.htm |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.nps.gov |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207215503/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitea20.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Local History {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/local-history |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref> It was the seat for the [[Ninety-Six District, South Carolina|Ninety Six District]] upon its establishment as a town until the district's abolishment in 1799.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=History of Ninety Six |url=https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/history-of-ninety-six |access-date=April 21, 2025 |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220083834/https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/history-of-ninety-six |url-status=live }}</ref> The town was the site of a siege<ref>{{Cite web |title=Park Archives: Ninety Six National Historic Site |url=http://npshistory.com/publications/nisi/index.htm |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=npshistory.com |archive-date=April 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406040153/https://npshistory.com/publications/nisi/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> from May 22 to June 19, 1781 during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], spanning 28 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six |url=https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/ninety-six |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=American Battlefield Trust |language=en |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029212301/https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/ninety-six |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellison |first=Virginia |date=2023-11-03 |title=November, 1775: The First Battle of Ninety Six |url=https://schistory.org/november-1775-the-first-battle-of-ninety-six/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=South Carolina Historical Society |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-13 |title=Patriot siege of Ninety Six, South Carolina begins |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-22/patriot-siege-of-ninety-six-south-carolina-begins |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref> The battlefield is now the [[Ninety Six National Historic Site]], maintained by the [[National Park Service]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Six |first1=Mailing Address: Ninety Six National Historic Site 1103 Hwy 248 Ninety |last2=Us |first2=SC 29666 Phone: 864 543-4068 Contact |title=Ninety Six National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/nisi/index.htm |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412110354/https://www.nps.gov/nisi/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six National Historic Site |url=https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/ninety-six-national-historic-site |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=National Park Foundation |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211065827/https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/ninety-six-national-historic-site |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 19th century, the town's economy was largely dependent on [[Textile manufacturing|textile mills]], such as the Ninety-Six Mill. However, as the mills started to shutter, and production began to be [[Outsourcing|outsourced]], the economy started to decline,<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Look at the History · Mill Villages of Greenwood and Ninety-Six, South Carolina · Local History Matters |url=https://localhistorymatters.org/exhibits/show/mill-villages-in-the-upstate/a-look-at-the-history |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=localhistorymatters.org}}</ref> which led to a [[#Revitalization of Ninety Six|revitalization]] project in the early 2000s.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=H96DA/Donna Wells |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization |title=Ninety Six Revitalization}}</ref> In the 21st century, Ninety Six benefits from tourism to its historic site and nearby [[Lake Greenwood State Park|state park]], along with events such as the [[Festival of Stars]], a [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration that is hosted yearly by the town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Robert |date=2024-06-29 |title=Feel the heat: Thousands visit Ninety Six for Festival of Stars |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/feel-the-heat-thousands-visit-ninety-six-for-festival-of-stars/article_99c322c6-366a-11ef-a57e-5b8d38f09138.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SC Festival of Stars">{{Cite web |title=SC Festival of Stars |url=https://tenatthetop.org/event/sc-festival-of-stars/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Ten at the Top |language=en-US |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625002957/https://tenatthetop.org/event/sc-festival-of-stars/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SC Festival of the Stars {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/sc-festival-stars |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121053901/https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/sc-festival-stars |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
Ninety Six is located in eastern Greenwood County at {{Coord|34|10|24|N|82|1|18|W|type:city}} (34.173211, -82.021710).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[South Carolina Highway 34]] passes through the town as its Main Street; it leads west {{convert|9|mi|0}} to [[Greenwood, South Carolina|Greenwood]], the [[county seat]], and east {{convert|27|mi}} to [[Newberry, South Carolina|Newberry]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnell |first=Brad |title=Greenwood County Maps |url=https://www.greenwoodsc.gov/greenwoodnj/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.greenwoodsc.gov |language=en}}</ref>

[[Lake Greenwood State Park]] is {{convert|5|mi|0}} northeast of town, and [[Ninety Six National Historic Site]] is {{convert|2|mi|0}} south of the center of town.<ref name=":4" />

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Ninety Six has a total area of {{convert|4.7|sqkm|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==Etymology==
There is much confusion about the name, "Ninety Six", and the true origin may never be known. Speculation has ranged from the mistaken belief that traders estimated it was {{convert|96|mi}} from here to the nearest [[Cherokee]] settlement of [[Keowee]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Is It Called Ninety Six? Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=30703 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> (it was about {{convert|78|mi|disp=sqbr}}); to a counting of creeks crossing the main road leading from [[Lexington, South Carolina]], to Ninety-Six (a legend proved false); to an interpretation of a [[Welsh language|Welsh]] expression, ''nant-sych'', meaning "dry gulch".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-18 |title=Ninety Six and Ninety Six National Historic Site |url=https://www.carolinaxroads.com/2023/06/ninety-six-and-ninety-six-national.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}}</ref> No one is able to confirm that European founder Robert Gouedy was Welsh, English, Scottish,<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of McCormick County |url=https://mccormickscchamber.org/about/about-mccormick-county/history/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=McCormick S.C. Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> or German.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Gowdy Family in South Carolina - Robert Goudy |url=https://www.gowdy.org/robertg.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.gowdy.org}}</ref>

Traders passed on information to each other about landmarks and distances along the [[Cherokee Path]], and sometimes created maps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six (Historic site) {{!}} EBSCO Research Starters |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/ninety-six-historic-site |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.ebsco.com |language=en}}</ref> They estimated mileage between streams based on their day's travel. They noted unusual aspects, such as the six creeks that ran unexpectedly south away from the [[Saluda River]] and, further west, nine creeks that ran south away from the [[Savannah River]], noting them on maps as "6" and "9".<ref name=":2" /> One story suggests that a town in this area and a district both became known as "Ninety-Six", likely related to the evolution of traders' references to 9 and 6, the landmark groups of streams. Using historical accounts and [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] maps, historians have traced the Cherokee Path across present-day Greenwood County – territory that at the time was part of other districts.<ref name="george">{{cite journal|title=Ninety Six Decoded: Origins of a Community's Name|last=George|first=David P. Jr|journal=The South Carolina Historical Magazine|volume=92|number=2|date=April 1991|pages=69–84|jstor=27568211 }}</ref>

Another source suggests the numerical reference was to measuring by [[Chain (unit)|chain]], a practice which is traditional in English parishes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surveyor's Chain |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_761634 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=americanhistory.si.edu}}</ref> Even so, the origin of the name "Ninety-Six" remains a mystery.<ref>{{cite book| last=Guinn| first=Dr. Gilbert| title=Maps for Family and Local History| publisher=Dundurn Press| location=[[Tonawanda, New York]]| edition=2nd revised |author2=Geraldine Beach |author3=Rose Mitchell |page=35 |year=2004}}{{request quotation|date=January 2017}}</ref> Ninety Six has been noted for its [[place names considered unusual|unusual place name]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The most ridiculous town name in each state |url=https://local12.com/news/offbeat/the-most-ridiculous-town-name-in-each-state-ohio-indiana-california-zippia#photo-41 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126150421/https://local12.com/news/offbeat/the-most-ridiculous-town-name-in-each-state-ohio-indiana-california-zippia#photo-41 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |publisher=WKRC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Babbel.com |last2=GmbH |first2=Lesson Nine |title=The 35 Weirdest American City Names |url=https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/the-35-weirdest-city-and-town-names-in-the-usa |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Babbel Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

==History==

=== 18th century ===
Ninety Six was established on the frontier of the early [[18th century]], roughly around 1730.<ref name=":3" /> For a time it was known as "Jews Land" because some prominent [[Sephardic]] Jewish families of [[London]] bought extensive property there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina - The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia - |url=https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/s/south-carolina.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=StudyLight.org |language=en}}</ref> The Salvador and DaCosta families bought {{convert|200000|acre|km2}}, intending to help poor [[Sephardic Jews|Sephardic]] families relocate from London to the New World.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pencak |first=William |title=Jews and Gentiles in Early America 1654–1800 |date=2005 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |isbn=978-0-472-11454-2 |location=Ann Arbor |page=124}}</ref> They began to settle it.<ref>Pencak, ''Jews and Gentiles in Early America 1654–1800'', p. 124.</ref>

The settlement became the capital city of the [[Ninety-Six District, South Carolina|Ninety-Six District]] when the latter was established in July 1769.<ref name=":3" />

Since the late 20th century, the [[National Park Service]] has operated the [[Ninety Six National Historic Site]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/parks |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref> at the site of the original settlement and British fort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local History {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/local-history |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref>
Ninety Six figured prominently in the [[Anglo-Cherokee War]] (1758–1761).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Six |first1=Mailing Address: Ninety Six National Historic Site 1103 Hwy 248 Ninety |last2=Us |first2=SC 29666 Phone: 864 543-4068 Contact |title=History & Culture - Ninety Six National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/nisi/learn/historyculture/index.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref> <!-- In what way? -->During the [[American Revolutionary War]], it was a site for [[Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War|southern campaigns]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The American Revolution in South Carolina - Ninety-Six (1775) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_ninety_six_1775.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref> The first land battle of the revolution south of [[New England]] was fought here November 19–21, 1775.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battle of Ninety-Six, Siege, 1775, Revolutionary War, Summary, Significance |url=https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/battle-of-ninety-six-1775/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=American History Central |language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 1, 1776, American militia forces led by Major [[Andrew Williamson (soldier)|Andrew Williamson]] were ambushed by [[Cherokee]] and [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] near here in the Battle of Twelve Mile Creek.  More than 4,000 Cherokee warriors had waged war on a long front beginning in June, from modern [[Tennessee]] to central South Carolina.<ref name="toulmin2">{{cite journal |last=Toulmin |first=Llewellyn M. |date=Spring 2012 |title=Backcountry Warrior: Brig. Gen. Andrew Williamson |url=http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jbc/article/view/509/296 |journal=Journal of Backcountry Studies |volume=7 |issue=1}}</ref> [[Francis Salvador]], a Sephardic Jewish immigrant from London and a planter, was one of the casualties.  He was the first Jew to be killed fighting with the Patriots in the Revolutionary War.<ref name="har2">{{cite news |last=Porter Brown |first=Nell |date=January–February 2003 |title=A 'Portion of the People' |url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2003/01/a-portion-of-the-people.html |work=[[Harvard Magazine]] |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904052526/http://harvardmagazine.com/2003/01/a-portion-of-the-people.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Ninety Six star fort SC1.jpg|thumb|Star Fort battle site]]
The Cherokee were allied with the British in an effort to expel European-American settlers from their territory. In fall 1776, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia raised rebel militias to retaliate. [[Rutherford's Light Horse expedition]] had several units that attacked the Cherokee Lower Towns; the Middle, Valley, and Out Towns; and the Overhill Towns, dealing widespread destruction of Cherokee towns and their stores of food.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":11" />

In 1780 the British fortified the strategically important frontier town with a [[Bastion fort|star fort]]. From May 22 to June 18, 1781, Major General [[Nathanael Greene]], with 1,000 [[Continental Army]] troops, [[Siege of Ninety-Six|besieged]] 550 American Loyalists who were defending Ninety Six. General Greene's chief engineer at the siege was Colonel [[Tadeusz Kościuszko]], a Polish officer who became world-renowned for his role in the Revolution; he was wounded at the siege. The Loyalists survived the siege and relocated after the war to [[Upper Rawdon, Nova Scotia#History of Rawdon Township|Rawdon, Nova Scotia]], Canada, with support from the Crown for resettlement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |title=The Siege Of Ninety-Six Begins – California SAR |url=https://www.californiasar.org/2024/05/the-siege-of-ninety-six-begins-2/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 19th century ===
In the 1840s, life for many farmers in Ninety Six began to move from mostly self-sufficient, smaller farms to a more [[Intensive farming|commercial]] approach, by farming [[cotton]], an extremely lucrative crop at the time. This transition was dependent on [[Slavery in the United States|enslaved labor]], causing a rise in [[plantation]]s in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local History {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/local-history |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref>

During the [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction Era]], the then Village of Ninety Six was [[charter]]ed by [[South Carolina General Assembly]] on January 28, 1869.<ref name=":7" />

Efforts were even made to create a "Ninety Six County", but largely failed due to [[Greenwood, South Carolina|Greenwood]], the bigger railroad city. Greenwood then became the county seat of the newly formed [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood County]] in 1897, which the town was included in.<ref name=":7" />

=== 20th century ===
In the early to mid-20th century, the growth of the textile industry significantly impacted Greenwood and Ninety Six. As mills expanded, mill companies created mill villages to provide housing and amenities for workers and their families.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=SC Picture |date=2015-05-18 |title=Ninety-Six Mill Village |url=https://www.scpictureproject.org/greenwood-county/ninety-six-mill-village.html/amp |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=SC Picture Project |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> 
[[File:Greenwood Mills Ninety Six Plant 1956.jpg|thumb|Mill workers in 1956]]
The Ninety Six Mill Village included churches, company stores, recreational facilities, and modest brick homes maintained by the mill. Residents often had wages to cover rent and goods purchased at the store, which then created a system where daily life revolved around the mill.<ref name=":7" /> The villages hosted social events, church activities, and local sports teams (such as mill-league [[baseball]]) Although the mills have since closed, many of the original homes remain, and the village is now known as the Historic Ninety Six Mill Village.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Look at the History · Mill Villages of Greenwood and Ninety-Six, South Carolina · Local History Matters |url=https://localhistorymatters.org/exhibits/show/mill-villages-in-the-upstate/a-look-at-the-history |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=localhistorymatters.org}}</ref>

On May 27, 1905, the village incorporated as the Town of Ninety Six.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=SC Picture |date=2015-05-18 |title=Ninety-Six Mill Village |url=https://www.scpictureproject.org/greenwood-county/ninety-six-mill-village.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=SC Picture Project |language=en-US}}</ref>

Segregated education for colored children was provided at the Ninety Six Colored School, which served both elementary and high school students until its closure in 1956 when students were transferred to the newly-built Edgewood Middle School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six Colored School - The Green Book of South Carolina |url=https://greenbookofsc.com/locations/ninety-six-colored-school/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=greenbookofsc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=SC Picture |date=2015-04-27 |title=Ninety Six Colored School |url=https://www.scpictureproject.org/greenwood-county/ninety-six-colored-school.html/amp |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=SC Picture Project |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] was constructed through the town and had a stop at Ninety Six, the [[Ninety Six station]]. As well as the railway stop, the [[Kinard House]], [[Moore-Kinard House]], and [[Ninety Six National Historic Site]], are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris2">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps2">{{cite web |date=November 14, 2011 |title=National Register of Historic Places Listings |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20111014.htm |work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/03/11 through 10/07/11 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=May 31, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222152927/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20111014.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
In 2008, Ninety Six started hosting an annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration, known as the [[#Festival of Stars|Festival of Stars]], and as of 2023 is still running in its 15th consecutive year.<!-- This needs to be fixed. I rewrote this, but didn't save it. -->

==== Revitalization of Ninety Six<!-- There are no online sources I could find on this, other than some PDF's on archive.org that I uploaded which were from a member of the H96DA. -->====
[[File:Lou Ellen Dr, Ninety Six.jpg|thumb|After the revitalization, many businesses were added to Lou Ellen Drive.]]
In 2007, the Town of Ninety Six, with the help of [[Clemson University]], launched an initiative to address the economic decline and deterioration of the city, following the loss of [[Textile manufacturing|textile]] jobs.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=July 10, 2007 |title=Revitalization Public Presentation |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Public%20Presentation%20July%2010%2C%202007/ |journal=H96DA Archival}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=April 2008 |title=2008 Clemson's Recommended Economic Development Strategies |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalalization%20Clemson%27s%20Development%20Strategies%20Review%20April%202010/}}</ref>

On July 10, 2007, community leaders, most members of the [[Historic 96 Development Association]], held a public presentation outlining the plan for the project.  The project's mission was to ''"restore pride, beauty and a sense of history to the Town of Ninety Six."''<ref name=":12" />

The initiative received broad support from locals, raising $28,533 of its $29,333 planning budget through pledges from the town, the Ninety Six Chamber of Commerce, [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood County]], and local businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=July 24, 2007 |title=Revitalization invoice |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalization%20invoice/}}</ref> The project was also awarded a $29,325 grant from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board to fund streetscape improvements on Main and Cambridge Streets.

The planning of the project began with a multi-day "[[charrette]]" held in January 2008, where Clemson representatives had public input sessions with residents, businesses, government officials, and tourism leaders. Following the charrette, the town formed a committee and multiple task forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Donna |date=December 11, 2008 |title=Implementation Task Force Meeting |url=https://archive.org/details/ninety-six-sc-revitalization/Revitalalization%20Time%20frame%20December%2C%202008/}}</ref>

By 2012, the task force had:

* Installed benches, street lamps, [[signage]], and planters downtown.
* Restored the [[Ninety Six station|Ninety Six Depot]], which was later added to [[National Register of Historic Places|The National Register of Historic Places]] in 2011.
* Promoted downtown businesses by organizing events like the [[Festival of Stars]].
* Enforced building codes, updated ordinances, and regulated public cleanliness.<ref name=":02"/>

==== Hurricane Helene impact ====
{{Main|Hurricane Helene}}
[[File:Ninety Six citizens working to remove trees after Helene.jpg|thumb|Ninety Six citizens working to remove trees after Helene]]
[[File:A completely blocked off road in Ninety Six after Helene.jpg|thumb|A completely blocked off road.]]
In the early morning of September 28, 2024, [[Hurricane Helene]] swept through the town of Ninety Six, taking trees and power lines with it, alongside damaging over 350 houses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Overton |first=Rodney |date=October 13, 2024 |title=Still recovering from Helene, SC county rattled by cluster of 8 earthquakes Sunday |url=https://www.cbs17.com/news/south/still-recovering-from-helene-damage-sc-county-rattled-by-6-small-earthquakes-sunday-morning/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Hurricane Helene {{!}} Office of Resilience |url=https://scor.sc.gov/Helene |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=scor.sc.gov}}</ref> Many citizens of the town, especially those in more remote areas were trapped in their communities due to the vast amount of trees that had fallen on roads.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ORTIZ |first=RENEE |title='I've never seen anything like this': Greenwood residents reflect on Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-greenwood-residents-reflect-on-hurricane-helene/article_42766388-7f31-11ef-9a17-0752af847987.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref> Many residents took it upon themselves to clear roads, using their own equipment and [[power tool]]s to cut trees, allowing some to be able to leave their residences via [[Car|automobile]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murdaugh |first=Shellie |title=Jasper citizens help one another after Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.blufftontoday.com/story/news/2024/10/04/jasper-citizens-help-one-another-after-hurricane-helene/75486917007/#:~:text=There%20were%20also%20numerous%20others,to%20help%20those%20in%20need. |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Bluffton Today |language=en-US}}</ref> However, as citizens drove around, many rushed to nearby [[Filling station|gas stations]] to fuel their vehicles, causing havoc,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conklin |first=Audrey |date=2024-10-01 |title=Hurricane Helene: North Carolina residents fight for their survival as basic goods become scarce |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-residents-fight-survival-basic-goods-become-scarce |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> with numerous fights breaking out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sarac35 |date=2024-09-28 |title=Hurricane Helene Megathread 9/28 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/greenville/comments/1frioz6/hurricane_helene_megathread_928/?rdt=42498 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=r/greenville}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgP0tGgnN-A |title=Local gas stations experience large crowds and long lines following Hurricane Helene |date=2024-09-30 |last=WTOC |access-date=2025-04-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] was deployed<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2024 |title=National Guard Provides Support to Hurricane Stricken States |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3926122/national-guard-provides-support-to-hurricane-stricken-states/}}</ref> to assist with the recovery efforts, and many troops were stationed at local gas stations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-13 |title=National Guard helps Hurricane Milton, Helene victims |url=https://www.army.mil/article/280479/national_guard_helps_hurricane_milton_helene_victims#:~:text=More%20than%203,600%20Guard%20members,and %20high%20and%20swift%20water. |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref> For the next week, Ninety Six residents were left without power, with many soely relying on [[Portable generators|backup generators]], adding to the need for fuel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwood CPW's Response Efforts in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene |url=https://greenwoodcpw.com/greenwood-cpws-response-efforts-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=greenwoodcpw.com}}</ref> Citizens were eager to share what happened, with many needing to file insurance claims,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lord |first1=Debbie |last2=Desk |first2=Cox Media Group National Content |last3=Trubey |first3=J. Scott |title=A step-by-step guide to filing insurance claims following the storm |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/business/hurricane-helene-heres-a-step-by-step-guide-to-filing-an-insurance/VTIHILZWK5DAZGBWSI5LEIDTLY/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Oana |date=2024-10-01 |title=Navigating Insurance Claim Denials After Hurricane Helene: A Guide for South Carolina Residents |url=https://rosenhagood.com/navigating-insurance-claim-denials-after-hurricane-helene-a-guide-for-south-carolina-residents/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Rosen Hagood |language=en-US}}</ref> but [[Cellular network|cellular signal]] was extremely weak, with downtown Ninety Six having little-to-no service.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Communications Status Report for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-406055A1.pdf}}</ref> In Greenwood County, 23 cell towers were completely out of operation, with an additional 26 on back-up power and with limited range.<ref name=":5" /> A week after the disaster, as power began to be restored, residents were able to heat and cool their homes, but many were still left without [[Internet|internet service]], leaving them unable to work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-22 |title=4829 {{!}} FEMA.gov |url=https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4829 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}</ref> Nearly a month later, in early November, most residents had their internet service restored. The aftermath of Helene in the town is still visible as of 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff reports |date=2025-01-16 |title=City of Greenwood wrapping up Helene debris removal |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/city-of-greenwood-wrapping-up-helene-debris-removal/article_7f375862-d428-11ef-9721-43a74e5cb4fb.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref> with many trees lying on the side of roads, and homes with tarps on their roofs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=30 Days After Hurricane Helene, Recovery Continues in South Carolina - South Carolina Emergency Management Division |url=https://www.scemd.org/news/30-days-after-hurricane-helene-recovery-continues-in-south-carolina/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.scemd.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=JORDAN |first=ROBERT |date=2024-11-28 |title=Slowly but surely: Aftermath of Hurricane Helene cleanup continues |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/news/slowly-but-surely-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene-cleanup-continues/article_9758b556-ac0c-11ef-b06a-efc3363dbe51.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 468
|1890= 445
|1900= 414
|1910= 758
|1920= 773
|1930= 1381
|1940= 1453
|1950= 1556
|1960= 1435
|1970= 2166
|1980= 2249
|1990= 2099
|2000= 1936
|2010= 1998
|2020= 2076
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:45&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 15, 2022|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213085226/https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:45&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}Ninety Six is the 187th largest city in the state of South Carolina, placing it in the middle of the state's city population rankings. As recorded in the 2020 census, Ninety Six had 2,076 residents, the highest count in town's history. Between 2010 and 2020, the town gained only 78 residents. In 2020, there were 706 households, and 520 families residing in the town.<ref name=":10" />

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ninety Six racial composition<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4550290&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 10, 2021|website=data.census.gov|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210144133/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4550290&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,518
|73.12%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|434
|20.91%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|2
|0.1%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|1
|0.05%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.05%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|74
|3.56%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|46
|2.22%
|}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,936 people, 820 households, and 560 families residing in the city.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=DP1Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDPSF42000.DP1?q=Ninety+Six+town,+South+Carolina+in+2000}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1,325.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 904 housing units at an average density of {{convert|618.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 76.50% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 22.73% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.05% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.36% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.52% of the population.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=DP2Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000 |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDPSF42000.DP2?q=Ninety+Six+town,+South+Carolina+in+2000}}</ref>

There were 820 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90.<ref name="Census 2010" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":8" />

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.<ref name=":8" />

The median income for a household in the town was $33,423, and the median income for a family was $39,550. Males had a median income of $30,978 versus $25,034 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $15,648. About 7.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=DP3Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000 |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDPSF42000.DP3?q=Ninety+Six+town,+South+Carolina+in+2000}}</ref>

== Government ==

=== Local government ===
Ninety Six operates under a [[Mayor–council government|mayor-council government]], which is a common practice for [[Municipality|municipalities]] in South Carolina. Every odd year, the town votes on the 1st Tuesday ''after'' the 1st Monday in November with a [[Nonpartisan primary|nonpartisan]] ballot, meaning candidates' political affiliations are not listed on the ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town of Ninety Six {{!}} MASC |url=https://www.masc.sc/municipality/ninety-six?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.masc.sc |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Ninety Six, SC Ward Map.jpg|thumb|Ward map]]
The town is divided into six wards, each represented by an elected [[Councillor|council member.]] The [[mayor]], who is voted on by all wards, presides over the council and oversees the town's department's and services, which is run mostly by its 12 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Council {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/town-council |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref>

=== State level ===
At the state level, Ninety Six is represented by elected officials in both the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]] and the [[South Carolina Senate]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Congressional Delegation {{!}} South Carolina |url=https://sc.gov/government/getting-know-your-government/elected-officials/congressional-delegation |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=sc.gov |archive-date=March 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330002352/https://www.sc.gov/government/getting-know-your-government/elected-officials/congressional-delegation |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], the town is in District 13, with its representative being [[John R. McCravy III]] (Republican).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Council {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/town-council |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov |archive-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105060515/https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/town-council |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[United States Senate|Senate]], the town is in District 10,<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE DISTRICT 10 |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/maps/senate/Sen10.pdf |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203034021/https://www.scstatehouse.gov/maps/senate/Sen10.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and represented by Francie Kleckley (Democrat).<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2025 |title=South Carolina Senate districts |url=https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/default/files/S815_statewide.pdf |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320145826/https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/default/files/S815_statewide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina State Senate District 10 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina_State_Senate_District_10 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907061353/https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina_State_Senate_District_10 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Federal level ===
Ninety Six is situated in [[South Carolina's 3rd congressional district|South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District - SC-03 Representatives & District Map |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/SC/3 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en |archive-date=April 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403155633/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/SC/3 |url-status=live }}</ref> whose representative is [[Sheri Biggs]] which includes  [[Abbeville County, South Carolina|Abbeville]], [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson]], [[Edgefield County, South Carolina|Edgefield]], [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood]], [[McCormick County, South Carolina|McCormick]], [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee]], [[Pickens County, South Carolina|Pickens]] and [[Saluda County, South Carolina|Saluda]] counties and most of [[Aiken County, South Carolina|Aiken]] and [[Laurens County, South Carolina|Laurens]] counties. Since 1994, Republicans have dominated this district.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District |url=https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina%27s_3rd_Congressional_District |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108212923/https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina%27s_3rd_Congressional_District |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" />

The town strongly leans [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], with [[Donald Trump]] winning 63.8% of the [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|county]] in the [[2024 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Michael |title=Presidential election results 2024 {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/results/president?admin1=45&admin2=45047&election-data-id=2024-PG&selected-election-data-id=2024-PG-SC&election-painting-mode=projection-with-lead&filter-key-races=false&filter-flipped=false&filter-remaining=false |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Festival of Stars ===
The ''Festival of Stars'' is an annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration held by the town each year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Index-Journal |title=Local Events |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/105514725n-christurner-music-festival-of-the-stars |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref> The event is typically scheduled in late July,<ref>{{Cite web |title=SC Festival of Stars @ Ninety-six, SC - Jun 27, 2020, 4:30PM |url=https://stoneecho.com/event/4084160/520310012/sc-festival-of-stars |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=stoneecho.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023-06-21 00:00 - SC Festival Of Stars at Ninety Six Town Park-3 |url=https://www.haywoodpark.com/events/ninety-six/sc-festival-of-stars-at-ninety-six-town-park-6498232 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.haywoodpark.com}}</ref> with the 2025 festival scheduled to take place on July 25–28,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwood |url=https://discovergreenwood.com/events/sc-festival-of-stars/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=discovergreenwood.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and is centered in the town's downtown area, particularly on Main Street, as well as in the Ninety Six Town Park, with the carnival rides typically being across from the park.<ref name="SC Festival of Stars"/> The event is organized by the Ninety Six Tourism Department with support from local volunteers, keeping the festival free to enter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Tammy |date=June 20, 2023 |title=SC Festival of Stars In Ninety Six |url=https://www.wspa.com/your-carolina/sc-festival-of-stars-in-ninety-six/ |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620204512/https://www.wspa.com/your-carolina/sc-festival-of-stars-in-ninety-six/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It features a wide array of activities, including a live music show, carnival rides, a car show,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Donon |first1=Added by Jennifer |last2=Events |first2=View |title=SC Festival of Stars -Ninety Six, SC |url=https://www.southeastwheelsevents.com/events/sc-festival-of-stars-1 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.southeastwheelsevents.com |language=en |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911193837/http://southeastwheelsevents.com/events/sc-festival-of-stars-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> food and craft vendors, as well as a highly anticipated professional firework display.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SC Festival of Stars |url=https://scfestivalofflowers.org/schedule/sc-festival-of-stars |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=South Carolina Festival of Flowers |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2024, the festival opened on July 26<ref>{{Cite web |last=SCT_Admin01 |date=2022-05-11 |title=2025 Festivals in South Carolina's Old 96 District |url=https://visitold96sc.com/festivals/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=The Old 96 District - South Carolina |language=en-US |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209143228/https://visitold96sc.com/festivals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with music from local singers, as well as Kile Antone. In the following days, the city hosted a  Bike Night and carnival games from Midway Entertainment. On the last day, a car show was hosted, as well as 4 live performances from Becky Green, Ashley Stokes, Chris Turner, and Casey Chesnutt at the stage setup in the Town Park. The festival concluded on July 29, hosting a firework show at 9:45pm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SC Festival of Stars - Activities and Schedules {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/sc-festival-stars-activities-and-schedules |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913124953/https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/sc-festival-stars-activities-and-schedules |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Index-Journal |title=Local Events |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/105403732n-swingin-medallions-festival-of-stars |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref>

=== Parks and Recreation ===
Ninety Six has one town park, located on Saluda Street,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Activities {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/outdoor-activities |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121053944/https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/outdoor-activities |url-status=live }}</ref> which is approximately 5 acres and features 2 playgrounds, with one being wheelchair accessible, as well as an outer running trail, which is a third of a mile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six Town Park |url=https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/ninety-six-town-park |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.sctrails.net |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630073826/https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/ninety-six-town-park |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Athletic fields ====
[[File:J.C. “Fox” Boozer Sports Complex sign.jpg|thumb|Sign for the Fox complex in 2009.]]
The town is home to the J.C. Boozer Fox Complex, which had it's first game in 1976, and houses 4 multipurpose [[baseball field]]s that [[Sport|recreational teams]] in the area use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=J.C. Boozer Fox Complex |url=https://www.gwdcountyparksandrec.org/ninety-sixcomplex |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=November 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241101215605/https://www.gwdcountyparksandrec.org/ninety-sixcomplex |url-status=live }}</ref> The complex was recently reopened in 2023 after a renovation - which was mostly funded using funds from the Greenwood County Capital Project Sales Tax added an additional baseball field, new lighting, and made the walkways [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]]-compliant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ADAMS |first=CAM |date=2023-04-15 |title=J.C. Fox Boozer Complex holds grand reopening |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/sports/j-c-fox-boozer-complex-holds-grand-reopening/article_84b37153-46c2-5bd3-9fa5-0dc2a1abfb60.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Index-Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Capital Project Sales Tax |url=https://www.greenwoodcounty-sc.gov/2016-capital-project-sales-tax |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Greenwood County, SC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-01 |title=Yes for Greenwood County - Penny Sales Tax Initiative for Greenwood County - Let's Continue Funding Our Future, One Penny At A Time |url=https://yesforgreenwood.com/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ninety Six also houses [[Greenwood School District 52]]'s athletic fields,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six High School |url=https://www.nswildcats.com/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Wildcats Official Athletic Website |language=en}}</ref> including Ninety Six High School's baseball and softball fields, as well as Wilson-Campbell Stadium, and other fields at the Athletic Multiplex.<ref name="Greenwood School District 52">{{Cite web |title=Greenwood School District 52 |url=https://www.greenwood52.org/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.greenwood52.org}}</ref>

==== Ninety Six Trail ====
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For approximately 1.3 miles on the 96th Hwy, from First Street to Duke Street, the Ninety Six Trail runs through the town. In the early 1900s, the path of the trail was a [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] train route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town of Ninety Six |url=https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/town-of-ninety-six |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.sctrails.net}}</ref> The trail is mostly unpaved, except a small section of trail near the visitor's center and [[Ninety Six station]] where the city has paved it, since many people walk that area during the Festival of Stars and Christmas parade. The trail passes Revolutionary and Colonial era historical points,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Activities {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/outdoor-activities |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref> and is marked with signage, as well as lined with rocks at some points, with benches at a few markers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six Town Trail |url=https://www.gwdparks.org/ninety-six-town-trail |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Greenwood Parks and Trails |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==

=== Transportation ===

==== Train/rail transit ====
{{Main|Ninety Six station}}
Ninety Six is home to a retired [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] train station, known as the [[Ninety Six station]], which was built in 1915 to serve passenger and cargo fleets. The depot was later added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] due to its architectural significance. It still used today, but serves as a multipurpose building, occasionally hosting [[Lions Clubs International|Lion's Club]] meetings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwood Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse |url=https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/greenwoodsc/calendar.php |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=e-clubhouse.org}}</ref>
[[File:Ninety Six, SC sidewalk, bench.jpg|thumb|Street mural beside a sidewalk and road.]]

==== Roads ====
Ninety Six is served by a network of state highways that run through the town, for example [[South Carolina Highway 34|SC-34]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 SC State Hwy Map |url=https://info2.scdot.org//GISMapping/GISMapdl/StateMap_2023.pdf |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918042622/https://info2.scdot.org/GISMapping/GISMapdl/StateMap_2023.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> which runs from west to east through the town's downtown. [[South Carolina Highway 246|Highway 246]], also runs vertically through the city, connecting over 2600 vehicles a day to [[U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina|US-221]] and [[South Carolina Highway 72|Highway 72]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2025 |title=Average Daily Traffic For GREENWOOD County |url=https://www.scdot.org/content/dam/scdot-legacy/travel/pdf/trafficcounts/2024/GREENWOOD.pdf}}</ref> which connects to the other side of [[Lake Greenwood (South Carolina)|Lake Greenwood]]. The town is approximately 35 miles away from the nearest interstate, [[Interstate 26|I-26]], which is accessible through SC Highway 34 through [[Newberry, South Carolina|Newberry]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://scdot.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=scdot.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref>

The [[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] has made plans to improve the [[South Carolina Highway 246|SC 246]] corridor from [[U.S. Route 221|US 221]] to [[South Carolina Highway 702|SC 702]] by widening lanes from 2 to 5 for a mile, as well as replacing and widening the bridge along SC 246. The project is ongoing as of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SC 246 Corridor Improvements Project |url=https://greenwood246.org/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=greenwood246.org}}</ref>

=== Utilities ===
Electric power for Ninety Six residents is provided by [[Duke Energy]] or the Greenwood CPW for some areas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=Duke Energy seeks new ways to meet the Carolinas' surging electric demand |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-energy-plan-5eb24038cb72ca91ceef814ba4048897 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Natural gas service is provided solely by the Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} Ninety Six Commission of Public Works |url=https://ninetysixsccpw.com/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=ninetysixsccpw.com |language=en}}</ref> Water and sewer service are provided by The Ninety Six Commission of Public Works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moving to 96 {{!}} Ninety Six, Town of |url=https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/moving-96 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=townofninetysix.sc.gov}}</ref> [[Internet service provider|Internet service]] is provided by [[Brightspeed]] (formally [[Lumen Technologies|Centurylink]]), [[Spectrum (brand)|Spectrum]], [[Vyve Broadband]], and West Carolina.

=== Healthcare ===
Ninety Six's nearest hospital is [[Self Regional Healthcare|Self Regional Memorial Hospital]], which is inside the [[Self Regional Healthcare system|Self Regional Healthcare]] system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Self Regional Healthcare {{!}} Medical Center in Greenwood, SC |url=https://www.selfregional.org/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Self Regional Healthcare {{!}} Greenwood, SC |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ninety Six Family Dentistry is located on North Cambridge Street, and is independent from any healthcare system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninety Six Family DentistryNinety Six Family Dentistry |url=http://www.ninetysixdentistry.com/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Ninety Six Family Dentistry |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Edgewood Middle School front.jpg|left|thumb|Edgewood Middle School]]The town is inside [[Greenwood School District 52]], which serves 1,359 students across 4 schools inside the town, under Superintendent Beth Taylor. The district has one [[Secondary school|high school]], one [[middle school]], one [[Primary school|elementary school]], and one [[primary school]], with grades K4-12th.<ref name="Greenwood School District 52"/><!-- The District 52 Wikipedia article is awaiting to be published, so I haven't put much detail here. -->

[[File:Around Ninety Six 029.jpg|thumb|The branch library]]
Ninety Six has a [[public library]], a branch of the Greenwood County Library System.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.greenvillelibrary.org/locations-and-hours | title=Locations & Hours | publisher=Greenville County Library System | access-date=June 8, 2019 | archive-date=June 8, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608210415/https://www.greenvillelibrary.org/locations-and-hours | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!-- Add only people whose Wikipedia articles confirm their connection to this place-->
*[[Orville Vernon Burton]], professor of history at [[Clemson University]], was raised in Ninety Six. His book, ''In My Father's House Are Many Mansions: Family and Community in Edgefield, South Carolina'' traces the social history of that region. 
*[[Cal Drummond]], Major League Baseball umpire born in Ninety Six
*[[John W. Drummond]], South Carolina businessman and legislator
*[[Benjamin Mays]], sixth president of [[Morehouse College]] and mentor to Morehouse student [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]; born in the vicinity of Ninety Six
*[[Elliott Crayton McCants]] (1865–1953), author and educator<ref name="McCants-NYT">(March 26, 1904). [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10F1FFA355F13718DDDAF0A94DB405B848CF1D3 About Authors], ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref>
*[[Odean Pope]] (1938–present), jazz tenor saxophonist, born in Ninety Six but grew up in [[Philadelphia]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.odeanpope.com/resume1.htm |title=Odean Pope website |access-date=February 6, 2007 |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009095510/http://www.odeanpope.com/resume1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Francis Salvador]] (1747–1776), bought land in Ninety-Six District, and was the first Jew to be elected to public office in the colonies (1774, to SC's Provincial Congress); after joining the militia, in 1776 he was the first Jew killed in the [[American Revolution]] in a battle with Loyalists and Cherokee
*[[Joseph W. Tolbert]] (1865–1946), [[South Carolina Republican Party]] leader and committeeman 
*[[Bill Voiselle]], pitcher for the [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]], [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]], and [[Chicago Cubs]], wore his hometown as uniform number "96" when playing with Boston and Chicago.

==Representation in popular culture==
The 1781 siege was described in [[William Gilmore Simms]]' novel, ''The Forayers'' (1855). It is also featured in [[Kenneth Roberts (author)|Kenneth Roberts]]' novel, ''Oliver Wiswell'' (1940), which includes a chapter entitled "Ninety-Six".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kenneth Lewis Roberts |url=https://archive.org/details/oliverwiswellbyk0000kenn/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Oliver Wiswell by Kenneth Lewis Roberts (1940-06-30) |date=1940 |publisher=Doubleday |others=Internet Archive}}</ref>

The town is mentioned in the song "[[This Old Skin]]" by [[The Beautiful South]].<ref>{{Citation |title=The Beautiful South – This Old Skin |url=https://genius.com/The-beautiful-south-this-old-skin-lyrics |access-date=2025-04-23}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of places with numeric names]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*Carol W. Troxler, "Scotch-Irish among Southern Backcountry Loyalists", ''Journal of Scotch-Irish Studies'', I no. 3 (October 2002).

==External links==
* [http://www.ninetysixsc.gov/ Town of Ninety Six official website]
* The [[Facebook]] page for [https://www.facebook.com/townof.ninetysix/ Ninety Six]
* [http://www.nps.gov/nisi/ National Park Service historical narrative]
{{Commons}}

{{Greenwood County, South Carolina}}{{South Carolina}}{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Greenwood County, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in South Carolina]]