29719: Kings Creek Pride

29719 was more than five numbers to a small group of people. It was our lifestyle, our family,  our roots, our former zip code.

That is linked to a place called Kings Creek,  just between Blacksburg and Smyrna,  SC, named by some "God's Country. " 

The widening of Highway 5 heading into York County,  plus the closing of our post office in 1998, along with other businesses,  have virtually taken us off the grid. Google doesn't even recognize us on Google Earth or Google Maps anymore. It's like they have merged communities like ours and Cherokee Falls with Blacksburg. 

I tell folks that don't understand or to whom I don't care to explain that I'm from Blacksburg.  However,  I have always claimed Kings Creek (the KC) as my home.

Kings Creek was a small mining community for years, home of the Industrial Mills plant. This plant employed virtually the entire hamlet,  and was a landmark. We also had Boheler's Store, where you stopped to catch up on gossip, get snacks, and play video games and pool in the adjoining arcade. Love's Grocery was our gas station, just a few feet up.  We also had plenty of swimming holes: Kings Creek (or The Curb) and the infamous Burnt Mills. Burnt Mills is still going strong and has a bar right in front of the bank of the creek. Lots of good hunting, fishing and four wheeling lands and trails surround our area also. It's our own slice of Heaven. 

Growing up, everyone literally knew everyone.  We rode the school bus together,  gathered at Boheler's or the post office,  and simply had a mutual trust and respect towards each other. On Halloweens, we knew we could safely trick or treat at almost any home in the area.

Smyrna and even the eastern part of Blacksburg just outside of city limits share a lot in common with us. But there's something special about being from Kings Creek that only the residents can grasp.

We have the rich, dirt poor, middle class, simpletons, and all in between.  However, we have always came together in the name of the KC.

It will take more than the closing of a post office and a road widening to erase our identity. 29719 will forever live in our hearts.  We may have to write Blacksburg on bills, job applications,  letters and such.  Nevertheless, we all know that this is Kings Creek, the one and only.