Although the Cherokees would become the main trading partner of settlers in what would become Lexington County for most of the colonial period, they did not live in this area.

The tribes that did live in the Lexington County area were the Congaree and the Saluda. Like many Native American groups, the Congaree traveled around and were found on both sides of the river that now bears their name.

A favorite sport among the tribes was called chunkey (also known as chunky, chenco, tchung-kee or the hoop and stick game. They played it by rolling disc-shaped stones across the ground and throwing spears at them to try to land the spears as close to the stopped stone as possible.

The tribes’ times here ended sadly.

The Congarees were decimated by disease and eventually joined the Catawba tribe in York County after being defeated in battle during the Yamasee War.

The Saluda tribe, whose name was given to our other Lexington County river, were Shawnees from Pennsylvania who eventually moved back north.

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.