South Carolina Backcountry Revolutionary War Sites

Beatty Bridge Site, Union County SC

US Highway 176 crosses the Tyger River at Beatty Bridge, in the southern part of Union County SC.  A few hundred yards downriver from this point, Tinker Creek empties into the Tyger.

This Tinker Creek - Tyger River area was first settled by Scotch-Irish immigrants who arrived in about the year 1755.  Among these early  immigrants were members of the McJunkin, Otterson, Bogan, Steen and Beatty families.  Today the area is named after only one of these families - the Beattys.  Captain Robert Beatty (1764-1827), a son-in-law of Samuel McJunkin (1725-1808), was a large landowner in this area in the late 18th century and had a gristmill on Tyger River near where the bridge is now located.

Probably the most famous resident of this area, who fought in the Revolution, was Major Joseph McJunkin (1755-1846), eldest son of Samuel McJunkin.  Joseph McJunkin, his wife Ann Thomas (d. 1826), and his son Samuel McJunkin (1759-1815), are all buried in the McJunkin Cemetery, located on a hill about four miles north of this site, where SR163 intersects with US Highway 176.

Another nearby site of historical significance is Otterson's Fort (photo of marker is shown below).  This stone fortress was one of several posts built by the local settlers for protection during the many wars with the Cherokees fought before the Revolution.  The fort was named for James Otterson, an early settler, and was located on Tyger River a few hundred yards downstream from Beatty's Bridge.

Beatty's Bridge boat ramp sign, placed a short distance from the bridge.

Photo of Tyger River taken from the Beatty's Bridge boat ramp.

Photo of Tinker Creek taken at the point where SC SSR278 crosses the creek, just before the creek empties into Tyger River.

Otterson's Fort Historical Marker Sign.  The marker is located at the intersection of US 176 and SC SSR278 a short distance from Beatty's Bridge.