Black Mingo Creek
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Black Mingo Creek is a tributary to the Black River in coastal South Carolina. It derives its name from "mingo" or "minko" the Chickasaw word for chief. It was a center of the eastern Chickasaws in colonial times, a special hunting preserve.
It is also a blackwater river, whose waters are stained with tannin to make a tea-colored mix. It is relatively untouched by modern development, and is mostly surrounded by wetlands of cypress and tupelo with the adjacent higher lands mostly used for conventional agriculture or tree farming. The waters are a favorite fishing site for largemouth bass and panfish. Beavers are abundant, as well as great blue herons, songbirds and crows. Occasionally a bald eagle can be sighted. Alligators are also present.
The creek drains communities around Indiantown (named in reference to the Chickasaw tribal headquarters), Nesmith, and the communities of Rome and Rose Hill.
The lower region is a deep tidal river, navigable by colonial era ships to the former community of Willtown, about half way up the length of the creek, which was once a thriving port, and now is abandoned.
The area is part of the proposed Francis Marion Trail due to the battle site of the Battle of Black Mingo of the American Revolution, which routed the British from their attempt to fortify and hold the area.
