The only permanent settlement in the area now known as Lexington County was at Fort Congaree 300 years ago.

This fort stood on Congaree Creek near its confluence with the Congaree River, now within the 12,000 Year History Park.

This fort was built in response to the Yamasee War that started in 1715.

To help protect the borders and control trade with Native Americans, the colonial government decided in 1718 to establish Fort Congaree at the intersection of 3 major trading routes: the Cherokee road, the road to the Catawba nation, and the State Road which led to Charleston.

Captain Charles Russell was hired to staff and run the fort.

The fort existed until 1722 when the colonial government shut it down due to the return of private trade with Native Americans or the expense of maintaining the fort

JR Fennell is director of the Lexington County Museum on Fox Street in Lexington.