Community Chat

[Marp]

There has always been confusion about where the official NC-SC boundary is located.

Surveyors marked the line several times between 1773 and 1815, but used trees to define the border.

Now, it’s unclear where the 335 mile boundary is located.

“I thought it was a joke at first, and then I read it again and realized they were serious," said Polk County Manger Ryan Whitson.

Whitson recently learned about the problem. He received a letter from the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources saying officials are working to define an official border.

“I had assumed that this was settled more than 200 years ago," adds Whitson.

7 On Your Side wanted to know why either state had not preserved the boundary.

According to Alan-Jon Zupan with the South Carolina Geodetic Survey (SCGS), reestablishing the line hasn't been a pressing issue.

“Before this, you did not have the development along the boundary and land values were not that high, so there was not that much of a concern about where the boundary was,” Zupan said.

While both states are at fault for not maintaining the boundary, officials believe it’s better late than never.

Right now, the focus is on the border of Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, east to a spot called "Old North Corner" in Lancaster County.

When the work is completed, it could mean people and businesses will find themselves living in a different state.

“We wrote letters to all of the property owners that we thought would be affected and asked for their input. Some said it didn't make any difference to them, others had issues,” says Zupan.

Officials estimate it will cost around $600,000 to sort it all out.

Those who could be affected by the border changes received a letter in the mail with information about a forum in Rock Hill on Tuesday.