Welcome to Chapin SC
Also called "the Capital of Lake Murray" by towns people. Chapin is a small community that has grown over the years with new businesses and many new homes and developments. Easy access to I-26, about 10-15 to Harbison where you find the Columbiana Center Mall with everything you need and want, including restaurants, movie theaters, Sam's, Super-Walmart and much more. www.chapinsc.com has history and all kinds of good information for someone not familiar with the area. And explore also this site: http://www.sciway.net/city/chapin.html
Chapin has some newer stores and restaurants and continues to grow. You still get that small town feeling and that will remain for a while we are certain. Award winning Lex/Rich #5 schools make it desirable as well. Lexington and Richland county meet throughout the Irmo and Chapin areas and for some that may be confusing but as you get to know the area if becomes less confusing. These are some of the best schools in Columbia and the state of SC.
Chapin has a Chamber of Commerce www.chapinchamber.com/
Chapin has little traffic and is one of the more affluent communities in the Midlands. If offers a relaxed life style and Lake Murray recreation at your fingertips. Many public landings make it easy to launch a boat and enjoy fishing, swimming and boating if you can't live in a home on the lake. Beautiful sunsets can be yours or watch the Purple Martin's in August and September migrate. Check here for Purple Martin information and more. There are boat tours available if you are not a boat owner to enjoy this spectacular event. Our cocal artist Michael Story created a beautiful picture of that amazing natural show. http://lakemurrayfun.com/martins.html
Lake Murray Sunset
Chapin was founded by German Settlers in the early 1700's. They came to this area that became know as Dutch Fork. They claimed the land between the forks of the Saluda and Broad Rivers. Dutch comes from DEUTSCH, their language and people, They spoke German into the 1800's and some created their own dialects. These people were known for being poor, proud, hard working and preparing for harder times (a German trait I can attest to as I was born and raised in Germany). They believed in God and made the most of what little they had.
Martin Chapin came to the area from Cortland, New York. Because he has a lung ailment and doctors recommended he inhale pine fragrance, he moved south to the Pine Woods where he started a very successful lumber mill business. When surveys where started more than 1/2 the land needed to create Lake Murray traced back to belong to Martin Chapin. County records show that he purchased 4,218. The railroad station was built on Beaufort Street in Chapin to help him get lumber to the market. Chapin granted a right-away to the cities of Columbia, Newberry and Laurens to help him achieve this. Due to the railroad the area prospered and the town of Chapin was created. Christmas Eve 1889 Martin Chapin gave the land that created the town around his house. 3/4 mile north, east, west and south of his home creating a square.
During the great depression in 1929 these hard working farmers here lost everything when the bank in Chapin failed.
When a lot of land was bought to dam up in 1927 the area from the Saluda River and create Lake Murray and electricity everything started to chance for these poor people. Technology came along such as cars, telephone, electricity and change was going to be part of their lives forever. Over 5000 were directly affected by this. 3 churches, 6 schools, 193 grave yards were removed during this time. This brought new people to the area and employment. This change was much bigger than people imagined when it first started. It is still changing today. Lake Murray is one of the largest manmade lakes. It has approximately 55,000 acres of land, 41 miles long and 14 miles wide. It offers people a relaxed life style on and around the lake.
For Lake Murray Information here are several links to sites that help you get to know the area and the lake a little.
www.sciway.net/city/lakemurray.html
Or discover all of South Carolina and the Columbia area's treasures on this site:
www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see.../lakes.../capital-city.aspx 
Sunset view from near the Lake Murray Dam
Visit www.lakemurraycountry.com for Lake Murray information or http://www.carolinaliving.com/yellow_pages/lakemurray.asp
Boating, fishing (brim and bass), swimming and water-skiing. For Bass Fishing Guide and more visit this link: http://www.lakemurrayoutdoors.com/ Dreher Island State Park is a nearby camp ground and there is a public beach on the Lexington side of the lake right across the dam from Irmo. Many public landings allow you to drop a boat into the water. You can rent a boat and jet skies as well today. A new huge apartment complex just opened July 2009 near the dam on the Irmo side of the lake with some units featuring lake views.
SCE & G regulates the lake and docks. You may find theit site helpful http://www.sceg.com/en/my-community/lake-murray/
You can rent a boat if you don't own one and enjoy Lake Murray! There are several public landings to allow you to put a boat in the water. We also have many marinas where you can store your boat and they drop it in the water for you if you call ahead of time.
www.lakemurrayboatclub.com
http://www.lakemurraymarinasc.com/
Like to sail? Visit the Lake Murray Sailing Club here http://www.lmsc.org/
Regatta On Lake Murray
$49 for an annual sticker for your car to allow you access to the park either side of the dam. When the back-up dam was completed they opened a walking and bicycle path across the dam which is heavily used and enjoyed by the public.
Every April there is a Bass Tournament and 4th of July fireworks on the dam and Dreher Island State Park (most of the time both places), and a boat parade in December.
Chapin has homes in the $150's and over $1 Million on the lake. You can get there by I-26 or Dutch Fork Road which runs through the communities of Irmo, Ballentine, and Hilton. You may get some more information on www.chapinsc.com and ww.chapinchamber.com and ask us for more details about living in Chapin, on Lake Murray and other areas around Columbia.
Downtown Columbia can be 35-55 minutes away depends where in live in Chapin
www.columbiasc.net/
www.sciway.net/city/columbia.html
www.columbiacvb.com/ for the Convention Bureau
www.koger.sc.edu/ For the Arts. Find out the current programs and how to get tickets
www.TicketTango.com/ColonialCenter You may find more events and concerts here
Downtown Columbia overlooking Finlay Park and the fountain
Our daily news paper is The State Paper. You can subscribe to it if you like to see what is going on in Columbia from afar. www.thestate.com/ or also visit www.wistv.com/ for news and updates of the Columbia area.
Our office is conveniently located off I-26 about 10 -15 minutes to Chapin and downtown. We are very familiar with the market and look forward to assist you now or in the future. Please contact us for all your real estate needs.
Thank you for your visit today.
Rosemarie and Kirstin
Rosemarie Averhoff, CRS®
Kirstin Averhoff-Gilbert, CRS®
CRS Certified Residential Specialists®
Broker Associate® ePRO®, ABR®, CSP®, REALTORS®
The Capital Relocation Group with RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 629-8844 Cell Rosemarie
(803) 629-8822 Cell Kirstin
Emails us @
CapitalRelo@ColumbiaSCHomes.com
Visit all our websites:
http://www.ColumbiaSCHomes.com
http://www.RosemarieAverhoff.com