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One of the most interesting stories in Patrick's growth was the installation of the new town well. In 1967, engineers hired to do the job became very discouraged after drilling 5 wells to no avail. W.C. Ruthven, the Town Clerk and Treasurer, recommended they contact Willie F. Griggs. Willie took them to a spot on the edge of town, broke off a twig he used as a divining rod and began searching. When the rod began to twitch, he told the engineers "dig here", and continued to tell them how deep they would find water and how deep there would be an underground stream. He was not wrong on any account. The new town well provides the 368 Patrick residents with 100 gallons of water per minute and can easily pump 125 gallons, if needed. Since 50% of the citizens are retired, recreation could be a problem, but not in Patrick. The town is bounded by 95,000 acres of land owned mostly by the United States Government. The land is leased to the South Carolina State Commission of Forestry, which has planted native pine throughout the sandhills. Lakes have been created making fishing good and dove and deer hunting are annual events. Patrick Major W.C. Hoffman says not only "Patrick is a wonderful place to live", but also it's "God's country".
At the base if the Town Clock the following information is given: |