Agriculture was the dominant industry in what would become Lexington County during the colonial period.

In fact, Gov. James Glen stated that the arrival of the Swiss-Germans and Germans to the area allowed SC to become less reliant on other colonies for crops such as wheat and corn.

Besides corn and wheat, many farmers in this area grew flax which was used to create linen for textiles.

Cotton was not grown at this time as this was before the invention of the cotton gin.

Another important crop grown in Saxe Gotha was tobacco. Granby, located on the Congaree River near present-day Cayce, had a tobacco warehouse.

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.