South Carolina was part of the Province of "Carolina" until 1710 when North and South Carolina were made separate provinces. In the early years of South Carolina (1682-1769) Counties were only used for geographical divisions, and did not have governmental functions. In 1706 Parishes were set up and coexisted within the various counties. These Parishes remained until after 1790. In 1769 South Carolina was divided into seven Judicial Districts, which served as the Governmental units. Later these districts were subdivided into counties, which rarely served any official function. Many of these counties later became districts and took on governmental duties. It was not until 1868 that South Carolina re-designated all of the Districts as "Counties".

In 1682 three (3) Proprietary counties were set up: Berkeley, Colleton and Craven. In 1685 Carteret County was added. Carteret was renamed Granville County in 1708. These four counties remained until 1769 when they were abolished in favor of the new Judicial Districts.

In 1706 Parishes were set up within the bounds of the existing Counties. Neither the Counties nor the Parishes were divisions of the other, they just coexisted, with the Parish actually having the record keeping authority. The original Parishes of 1706 were St. John's, St. James Goose Creek, St. Thomas, St. Denis, Christ Church, St. Philip's, St. Andrew's, St. James Santee, St. Bartholomew's and St. Paul's. In 1712 St. Helena's Parish was created from part of St. Bartholomew's Parish. In 1717 St. George's Parish was created from part of St. Andrew's. In 1721 Prince George Parish was created from St. James Santee Parish. In 1734 Prince Frederick Parish was created from Prince George Parish. Also in 1734 St. John's Colleton Parish was created from St. Paul's Parish. In 1745 Prince William Parish was created from St. Helena's Parish. In 1747 St. Peter's Parish was created from Prince William Parish. In 1751 St. Michael's Parish was created from St. Philip's Parish. In 1754 St. Stephen's Parish was created from St. James Santee Parish. In 1757 St. Mark's Parish was created from Prince Frederick Parish. In 1767 All Saint's Parish was created from Prince George Parish. Also St. Luke's Parish was created from St. Peter's Parish. In 1768 St. David's Parish was created from St. Mark's Parish. Also St. Matthew's Parish was created from St. George's Parish and St. James Santee Parish. The parishes fell out of use after 1769, but in some cases were still used.

In 1769 Seven (7) Judicial Districts were created that abolished the four existing old counties. They were Beaufort, Camden, Charleston, Cheraws, Georgetown, Ninety-six (96) & Orangeburh Districts. The Districts coexisted with the various Parishes. In 1785 the Districts were divided into counties, many of which never became functional. At various times, many of the counties became Districts and in some cases abolished their old Districts in the process. In some cases the counties themselves were abolished in favor of the parent District.

1. Beaufort District - created 1769. In 1785 Beaufort was divided into four counties: Granville, Hilton, Lincoln and Shrewsbury. These counties never became functional, and in 1798 these counties were abolished. Beaufort District became Beaufort County in 1868.

2. Camden District - created 1769. In 1785 Camden was divided into seven counties: Chester, Claremont, Clarendon, Fairfield, Lancaster, Richland, and York. In 1791 Kershaw County was created in Camden District from parts of Claremont, Fairfield, Lancaster and Richland Counties. Also in 1791 Pinckney District was formed taking Camden Districts counties of Chester and York. In 1792 Salem County was formed from parts of Claremont and Clarendon Counties and then placed in the Cheraws District. In 1798 Sumter District was formed taking Claremont and Clarendon Counties. Also Richland County became Richland District. In 1798 Camden District was abolished and the remaining counties of Fairfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster became Districts.

3. Charleston District - created 1769. In 1785 Charleston was divided into six counties: Bartholomews, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Marion and Washington. These counties never became functional, and in 1798 these counties were abolished. Charleston District became Charleston County in 1868. In the 1790 Census, Charleston District was divided up by Parish.

4. Cheraws District - created 1769. In 1785 Cheraws District was divided into four counties: Chesterfield, Darlington and Marlboro. In 1792 Salem County was formed from part of Camden District, but placed in Cheraws District. In 1798 Cheraws District was abolished and the counties of Chesterfield, Darlington and Marlboro became Districts. Salem County became part of Sumter District.

5. Georgetown District - created 1769. In 1785 Georgetown District was divided into four counties: Kingston, Liberty, Williamsburg and Winyaw. These counties never became functional, and in 1798 were abolished. In 1798 Marion District was formed from Georgetown District taking the entire county of Liberty. Georgetown District became Georgetown County in 1868. In the 1790 census, Georgetown District was divided up by Parish (Prince George, Prince Frederick and All Saints). The 1800 census, Georgetown District was divided up by Counties: Kingston, Williamsburg and Winyaw.

6. Ninety-six (96) District - created 1769. In 1785 Ninety-Six District was divided into six counties: Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, Newberry, Spartanburg and Union. In 1786 Greenville County was created. In 1789 Pendleton County was created. In 1791 Pinckney District was formed from parts of Ninety-six and Camden Districts, taking the counties of Spartanburg and Union. Also in 1791 Washington District was formed from Ninety-six District taking the counties of Greenville and Pendleton. In 1798 Ninety-six was abolished when all of it's counties became Districts: Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens and Newberry.

7. Orangeburg District - created 1769. Orangeburg, named for William IV, Prince of Orange & son-in-law of King George, II, was settled in 1735 by 250 Swiss immigrants. By 1760, it had nearly 800 residents. Leaders of the colony hoped its citizens would grow much-needed wheat and corn. Within a few years of its settlement, Orangeburg became a valuable source of food for Charleston. In 1785 Orangeburg District was divided into four counties: Lewisburg, Lexington, Orange and Winton. In 1791 Lewisburg, Lexington and Orange Counties were abolished. In 1798 Barnwell District was created taking most of Winton County, which was abolished. Orangeburg District became Orangeburg County in 1868.

Pinckney District - created 1791 from parts of Camden and Ninety-six District. It took the counties of Chester, Spartanburg, Union and York. In 1798 Pinckney District was abolished by all of it's counties becoming Districts: Chester, Spartanburg, Union and York.

Washington District - created 1791 from Ninety-six District, taking the counties of Greenville and Pendleton. In 1798 Washington District was abolished when Greenville and Pendleton Counties both became Districts.

• Aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in Charleston Harbor
• The Middleton, Magnolia, & Cypress Gardens in Charleston