Summerville

The "Flowertown in the Pines," northwest of Charleston.

About Summerville

Summerville is a town incorporated on December 17, 1847. It lies mostly in Dorchester County, with portions in Berkeley and Charleston counties.

Summerville began as a summer refuge for plantation owners. Its nickname, the Flowertown in the Pines, came from a 1933 contest tied to promoting the new Azalea Park, and the town motto translates to “Let the pines be sacred.”

In the older part of town, Hutchinson Square is lined with restaurants and shops and hosts local festivals and a monthly Third Thursday event. Newer neighborhoods across Interstate 26 in Berkeley County include Nexton and Cane Bay.

Why Live in Summerville?

• Azalea Park downtown blooms with azaleas in spring, hosts the annual Flowertown Festival, and offers tennis courts, walking paths and a collection of bronze sculptures.
• Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site preserves the bell tower of St. George's Anglican Church, built in 1751, and a fort made of tabby, along with ongoing archaeology.
• Pine Trace Park, which opened in August 2025, has a disc golf course, a playground, a pond for fishing and kayaking, wooded trails and fenced dog parks.
• Arts and community theater: the Public Works Art Center in the former town post office offers exhibits, studios and classes, and the Flowertown Players stage productions in a historic building.
• Monthly Third Thursday events and local festivals on Hutchinson Square.

The Summerville Market

Summerville draws buyers looking for space, established neighborhoods and new construction. Reach out to Pamela for a current, no-pressure look at the Summerville market.

Schools in Summerville

Most of Summerville is served by Dorchester School District Two, which is headquartered at 815 South Main Street in Summerville. Parts of the Summerville area in Berkeley County are served by the Berkeley County School District. Attendance zones can change, so confirm school assignments directly with the district.

Local Favorites

• Azalea Park (Park): 105 W 5th South Street, Summerville, SC 29483 — Downtown park with azaleas, ponds, bridges, tennis courts, a gazebo and bronze sculptures; home of the Flowertown Festival.
• Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site (Historic site): State historic site with the 1751 St. George's Anglican Church bell tower, a tabby fort and active archaeology.
• Guerin's Pharmacy (Shop): Hutchinson Square, Summerville, SC — Pharmacy on the corner of Main Street and West Richardson Avenue that has operated since 1871.
• Public Works Art Center (Arts): Arts and education center in the former town post office with rotating exhibits, artist studios and classes.
• Pine Trace Park (Park): County park opened in 2025 with disc golf, a playground, a pond for fishing and kayaking, wooded trails and fenced dog parks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Summerville

What county is Summerville in?

Summerville is mostly in Dorchester County, with smaller portions in Berkeley and Charleston counties.

Why is Summerville called the Flowertown in the Pines?

The nickname came from a 1933 contest held as the town promoted its new Azalea Park, planted with thousands of azaleas, to visitors.

When is the Flowertown Festival?

The Flowertown Festival is held each spring in Azalea Park, typically in late March or early April; the 53rd annual festival took place in March 2026.

Which school district serves Summerville?

Dorchester School District Two serves most of Summerville, and the Berkeley County School District serves parts of the area in Berkeley County. Confirm schools for a specific address with the district.

When was Summerville incorporated?

The Town of Summerville was established on December 17, 1847.