The City of Walterboro proudly celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the new William T. Young, Jr. Park, a revitalized public space honoring the city’s history, progress, and leadership. The park is dedicated to and named in honor of Bill Young, Walterboro’s longtime mayor, whose decades of service have left a lasting impact on the community.
The park’s centerpiece is the Old Walterboro Water Tower, an iconic and enduring symbol of the city’s history. Constructed in 1915, the water tower is a standpipe system built of reinforced concrete and rises approximately 133 feet above the downtown skyline. It once held thousands of gallons of water in its elevated tank and is one of only three standpipe systems of its kind in the state of South Carolina, making it both historically and architecturally significant. Within its base are several small cells that were once used as a county jail. After the jail’s decommissioning, stories persisted that travelers unable to afford lodging were allowed to stay overnight inside the cells.
The site of the park was previously home to Strickland’s Dry Cleaners, a long-standing downtown business that served the community for many years. Now, William T. Young, Jr. Park represents a transformation, from a former commercial site into a place for gathering, reflection, and community enjoyment. The park offers residents and visitors an inviting setting to appreciate one of Walterboro’s historic structures.
The park’s dedication to Mayor Bill Young recognizes his steadfast leadership, vision, and dedication to Walterboro over many years of public service. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Young has been instrumental in advancing projects focused on infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, and community development.
William T. Young, Jr. Park is now open to the public and serves as both a new community amenity and a lasting tribute to the City’s history and leadership.
