Georgetown lies just inland of the Atlantic Ocean at the upper reaches of Winyah Bay. For eons, five rivers have flowed through the countryside, offering lifeblood to a town and its people. Founded in 1729, Georgetown has seen the heights of prosperity in the indigo and rice crops and the depths of despair in the aftermath of the Civil War. Many famous names have connections here, such as Francis Marion, better known as the Swamp Fox; the Marquis de Lafayette; Thomas Lynch, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; and Vice Pres. Aaron Burr, just to name a few. Presidents and other dignitaries have visited with us over these 200-plus years and millions have luxuriated in the waters of our nearby beaches for generations. Mary Boyd has drawn upon her research of early Georgetown newspapers and study of the history of Georgetown to team up with Jim Clark, who intimately knows the workings of the rivers and Winyah Bay. Our heritage is based on the interconnectedness of the land and water and has given rise to one of the most interesting places in the Lowcountry and indeed in the world.