Irmo and Harbison Areas
Irmo Historical Facts and Welcome Information
Irmo was incorporated in 1890 along the tracks of Columbia, Newberry and Laurens railroads on the high ridge between the Broad River. The name of Irmo came from the combination of the last names of two local railroad officials, C.J. Iredell and H.C. Moseley. Irmo has flourished with it’s great location along the railroads, the river, the close proximity to Columbia and Lake Murray. Irmo is in both Richland and Lexington Counties. Irmo was a sleepy little town of 500 people in the early 1970's but has grown to over 12,000 residents today because of the desirable location close to Columbia, Lake Murray, the friendly residents, and the blue ribbon Lexington/ Richland 5 school district that has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the nation.If Chapin is the “Capital of Lake Murray, then Irmo no doubt can be called the “Gateway to Lake Murray. The peaceful lake consists of 78 miles of water that offers a recreational paradise for fisherman, swimmers, boaters, skiers, and nature enthusiasts. On the other side Irmo across from peaceful Lake Murray consists shopping that is second to none (except maybe the new Villages of the Sandhills in NE Columbia). Harbison Blvd. offers stores ranging from the small town atmosphere and personal service to the sophisticated nationally known stores located at Columbiana Centre.
For a free Irmo/ Columbia relocation kit including area maps and activities click here.
Irmo Police Department
The Town of Irmo Police Department has 20 full time officers, 4 reserve officers, 2 administrative office personnel and 10 in our Explorer Youth Program (age 15-20).
Irmo Police Department
Brian Buck, Chief - 803-781-8088
Mail to: PO Box 406, Irmo, SC 29063
Location: 1239 Columbia Avenue, Irmo, SC 29063
Irmo Fire Departments
Irmo Fire Departments consists of a permanent staff of 31 and a volunteer staff of 10. It houses 3 Class A pumpers, 1 -75 foot platform, 2 rescue vehicle and 3 support vehicles.
Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Mike Sonefeld, Chief - 798-4979
Email: 17thcav@irmofire.org
Jeff Allen, Fire Marshall - 798-4979
Email: marshalone@irmofire.org
Headquarters:
6017 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212 - 803-798-4979
Secondary:
117 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212 - 803-781-7178
UTILITIES
Electric Services
SCE&G/SCANA 803-799-9000
Mid-Carolina Electric 803-749-6400
Garbage Service
Southland Sanitation, Inc. (Has a contract with Irmo) 803-256-7276
Sewer Service
City of Columbia Water and Sewer Department 803-545-3300
Carolina Water Service - 803-796-9545
Sheriff's Department
Lexington County (James Metts) - 803-951-2408
Richland County (Leon Lott) - 803-691-9000
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Tec Dowling - 803-732-8000
Tax Information
Lexington County
Real Property Assessor - 803-785-8190
Personal Property - Auditor - 803-785-8181
Treasurer - Tax Collector - 785-8217
Richland County
Real Property Assessor - 803-343-5300
Personal Property - Auditor - 803-738-4900
Treasurer - Tax Collector - 803-738-4900
Telephone Service
Bell South Business - 803-780-2800
Bell South Residential - 803-780-2355
TV Cable Service
Time Warner - 803-252-2253
Vehicle License Plate, Title and Drivers License
If you move to SC from another state, you have 45 days to transfer your vehicle title & registration. You must have the following: Your out-of-state vehicle title and registration; liability insurance information; Completed 400, application for certificate or title/registration; paid property tax receipt; title and registration fees.
Office Locations:
1016 Broad Stone Rd, Irmo SC 803-749-9041
800 Dutch Square Plaza Bldg. A, Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29210 803.896.6238
122 Park Rd Lexington, SC 803-356-8261
1630 Shop Road Columbia, SC 803-737-8350
www.scdmvonline.com
Water Service
City of Columbia - 803-545-3300
Carolina Water Service - 803-796-9545
Lexington Animal Service
321 Ball Park Road Lexington, SC 29072 803-785-8149
Richland County Ombudsmans Office (All Agencies in Richland)
2020 Hampton Street, Suite 3061 Columbia, SC 29204 803-929-6000
Education
Irmo and the surrounding area are served by School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties. Students are also served by the Alternative Academy. Residents may register their children at a school in their attendance area. New residents should register their children as soon as possible. A state issued birth certificate, student's social security number, two proofs of residence and a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization from the County Health Department or physicians or military clinics are required for registration.
District Five Schools
Elementary Schools
Ballentine 803-732-8251
Chapin 803-345-2214
Dutch Fork 803-732-8075
Harbison West 803-732-8375
H.E. Corley 803-732-8075
Irmo 803-732-8275
Lake Murray 803-732-8151
Leaphart 803-798-0030
Nursery Road 803-732-8475
River Springs 803-732-8147
Seven Oaks 803-798-6500
Middle Schools
Chapin 803-345-1466
Cross Roads 803-732-8300
Dutch Fork 803-735-8167
Irmo 803-732-8200
High Schools
Chapin 803-345-2246
Dutch Fork 803-732-8050
Irmo 803-732-8100
Alternative Schools (Grades 6-12)
Alternative Academy 803-345-7136
Colleges/Universities
Midlands Technical College
7300 College St Irmo, SC 803-732-5229
1001 Pinnacle Point Drive Columbia, SC 803-699-5096
Recreation
Lake Murray
Lake Murray at the time of construction had the largest earthern dam ever built - completed in 1930.
Shoreline: 620 miles (GSI survey in 2004), Acreage: 50,000 (78 square miles), Width:14 miles max, Length: 41 miles max, Full: 360 ft., Capacity: 754 billion gallons, Dam Height: 215 ft., Intake Towers Height: 223 ft, Named for: Williams S. Murray, engineer.
Lake Murray provides boating, water skiing, swimming, and some of the best fishing anywhere. Many marinas, campgrounds, and outdoor recreation areas surround the lake. Two public access parks are provided by SCE&G, Inc. at the Lake Murray Dam. (Lake Murray Boulevard, between Irmo and Lexington.) The park on the Irmo side provides boat ramps and parking.
Hours are Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm
For more information, call the SCE&G Lake Murray hotline 800-830-5253.
Freshwater Fishing (prices subject to change)
Resident State Fishing License $10.00
Resident Combination Fishing / Hunting License $25.00
Resident 14-day Fishing License $ 5.00
Resident Lake / Reservoirs Permit (cane pole only) $ 3.00
Resident Sportsman License $50.00
Resident Junior Sportsman (age 16/17) $16.00
Non-Resident Annual Fishing License $35.00
Non-Resident 7-day fishing License $11.00
Department of Natural Resources
1000 Assembly Street
Obtain License:
www.dnr.state.sc.us or 1-888-434-8482
(Also available at 900 locations: Wal-Mart & Sporting Goods Stores, etc.)
Recreation Facilities
Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission www.icrc.net
Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 803-731-5208
Seven Oaks Park 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, SC 803-772-3336
Crooked Creek Park 1098 Old Lexington Hwy Chapin,SC 803-345-6181
Saluda Shoals Park is located along the banks of the beautiful Saluda River. This 300 acre regional park offers Saluda Splash, a zero depth water playground; canoe and kayak rentals, paved/unpaved trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; picnic shelters and more! Canoe Trips: Join the Saluda Shoals Park for an exciting guided river trip with experienced paddlers and see nature at its best. Families with children age 6 and up are welcome. Trips begin at the park boat ramp. Return shuttle service to the park is provided. Horseback Trail Rides: Learn how to horseback ride or simply improve your skills. No previous experience is necessary but riders must be at least 8 years of age to participate. Everyone is required to wear a helmet (provided). Trail rides last about one hour and include a brief instructional period. Riders should wear long pants and boots or sturdy lace-up shoes.
Billy Dreher Island State Park
A great place to picnic on Lake Murray. SCE&G provides numerous public access areas. Call 803-781-5940 or 800-213-2053 for more info.
YMCA
Columbia Northwest Family YMCA
1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo, SC
803-407-8007
At the NorthWest YMCA, we build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. Our mission is to provide programs for the community that help to build spirit, mind and body for all. We do this through wellness programs, fun family events, swimming, after school, summer day camp, youth sports, adult sports, group exercise, tennis and much more!
GOLF COURSES:
There are many beautiful golf courses in South Carolina, listed below are Greater Irmo Chamber members:
Golden Hills Golf and Country Club
100 Scotland Dr. Lexington, SC 29072
803-957-3355
Golden Hills proudly offers an 18-hole championship golf course, lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool and a complete clubhouse. The clubhouse has a fully stocked Pro Shop, dining facility, bar and outdoor patio. Our facility is available for golf outings, receptions and banquets. Our staff is available for golf clinics, tennis and swimming lessons and we have a swim team for ages 4-18. Memberships are available and more information is available on our website at www.goldenhillsgolf.com
Timberlake Golf Course
284 Club Drive Chapin, SC 29036
803-345-9909
Timberlake an 18 hole golf course that in 2004 was voted one of the top 10 golf layouts in the state. Pro Shop has a grill and can handle golf outings of up to 120 players. We are getting ready to build a new facility that will be able to handle larger parties and weddings. We have a professional teaching staff with over 35 years experience. Timberlake is the only course in the Midlands area that you can come by boat and play. Call us in advance when coming by boat and we will have a golf cart waiting at the dock.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
500 Wildlife parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
803-779-8717
From gorillas and koalas to penguins and sharks, formal gardens to natural woodlands, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden provides new discoveries around every corner! The Zoo is located just off the Greystone Blvd exit from I-26 near downtown Columbia; garden entrance is on Botanical Parkway off highway 378 in West Columbia. You can also purchase discounted tickets from the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce.
Festivals and Events
Call Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce - 803-749-9355 or e-mail welcome@irmochamber.com or web site www.irmochamber.com
Concerts in the Park
(April - September) Contact the Town of Irmo 803-781-7050
Ambassador Gala
(March) - Fund raiser honoring the Ambassador of the Year
Merlyne Larsen Scholarship Foundation Benefit
(April) Co-Sponsored by Carrabba's Italian Grill
Golf Tournament
(April)
Summer Outing
(June) - Co-Sponsored by SCE&G/SCANA at Pine Island on Lake Murray
4th of July
(July) - Irmo Town Park Celebration and Concert
Miss South Carolina Pageant
(July)
Lake Murray Celebration
(July) - Parade of boats and fireworks on Lake Murray
Miss Greater Irmo Pageant
(September)
Okra Strut Festival
(September) - Always last Friday and Saturday in September. Family oriented arts and Crafts festival featuring live bands entertainment, food and drink, parade, street dance, the "Dam Run" road race and lots of Okra. Contact the Town of Irmo (803-781-7050) - Okra Strut Administrator: Jim Twitty, Post Office box 212334 Columbia,SC 29221 803-781-6122
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Auction
(November) - Part of the proceeds are designated for 4 scholarships - 2 to Irmo High School and 2 to Dutch Fork High School
Chamber Annual Oyster Roast
(December) - Inglewood Manor
Civic Organizations
Coldstream Garden Club Betty Aycock 803-781-2620
Irmo / St. Andrews Kiwanis Stewart Morgan 803-732-2877
St Andrews Lions Club George Widner 803-822-5588
Seven Oaks Lions Club Steve Masone 803-796-2021
Chapin Optimist Club Rod Shealy, Sr. 803-772-7506
Dutch Fork Optimist Club Carl Suddeth 803-254-5515
Irmo Optimist Club Bill Baker 803-781-9737 cell 463-3693
St. Andrews Optimist Club Don Keating 803-781-0320
Lake Murray/Irmo Rotary Club Dr. Cary Hite 803-732-4001
Irmo Ruritan Club Furman Younginer 803-781-2547
Irmo/St. Andrews Sertoma Club John Whittle 803-951-1778
Lake Murray/Irmo Women's Club Charlotte Wymer 803-345-2205
St. Andrews Women's Club Kristin Fields 803-732-1309
Friends of Harbison State Forest Eric Robey
Government
Congress
Irmo Residents are represented in Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R)
508 Hampton St. Suite 202
Columbia, SC 29201
803-933-0112 or 264-224-7401
U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R)
PO Box 12425
Columbia, SC 29211
803-771-6112
U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R)-District 2
1700 Sunset Boulevard Suite 1
West Columbia, SC 29169
803-938-0041
County Government
The Town of Irmo falls within both Lexington and Richland Counties. Both counties provide protection and other services to unincorporated areas.
County and State Elected Officials
Lexington County - 803-359-8000
County Administrator Art Brooks
County Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat
County Councilman John Carrigg
State Representative Chip Huggins
State Senate Ronnie Cromer
County Administrator Milton Pope
County Councilwoman Doris Meetze Corley
State Representative Nathan Ballentine
State Senate John Courson
Voting in South Carolina
The South Carolina Election Commission can answer your specific questions in detail. Call 803-734-9060. Information on candidates and issues is available at: League of Women Voters 803-799-7050.
In order to vote in South Carolina, you must be registered. You must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day, a US citizen, resident of the state, county and precinct in which you wish to vote. There is no length of residency requirement. If you move to a new county, you must re-register. If you move within the same county you simply have to change your address.
Mail-in registration forms are available at the county libraries, town and city halls or you can call your county and they will mail you a form. Registration by mail forms must be postmarked or received in the county office 30 days or more before an election.
In-person registration may be made at the county voter registration office or via "motor voter" at your local department of transportation. You must register in person at least 30 days prior to an election. When registering in person, you must bring identification with your current address on it. Call the registrar's office to learn what is acceptable as identification.
The registrar's office will tell you your new voting district numbers.
Lexington County Registrar's Office:
www.lex-co.com/departments
605 West Main St. Suite 105
Lexington, SC 29072
803-785-8361 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00pm
Richland County Voter's Registration Office:
www.richlandonline.com
Richland County Administration Building
2020 Hampton St.
Columbia, SC 29204
803-576-2240 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00pm.
Municipal Government
Town Council meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month at Municipal Building at 7300 Woodrow Street - 7 pm
Irmo's town government consists of a Mayor and four Council Members who serve a term of four years.
Irmo Magistrate
Rebecca Adams - 803-781-7584
111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212
Irmo Municipal Judge
Joseph M. Epting - (803-781-7050 - Clerk of Court)
7300 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063
The County seats of both Lexington and Richland Counties are home to 5 main court systems - Superior Court, Family Court, Magistrates Court, Probate Court and Master in Equity. The County Magistrates administer County Traffic Court. Irmo operates its own Municipal Court every Wednesday at 4:00pm.
Town Hall
7300 Woodrow Street, PO Box 406, Irmo, SC 29063
803-781-7050 fax: 803-749-2743
Post Office
US Post Office Irmo, 7821 St. Andrews Road. For more information, call 803-781-4024
Medical Center
Lexington Medical Center- 2720 Sunset Blvd. West Cola, SC 29169 803-791-2000 www.lexmed.com
Children's Hospital at Palmetto Health Richland- 5 Medical Park Columbia, SC 29203 803-434-2013
Palmetto Health Baptist- 1330 Taylor Street Columbia, SC 29220 803-296-5010 www.palmettohealth.org
Palmetto Health Richland- Five Medical Park Columbia, SC 29023 803-434-7000 www.palmettohealth.org
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals- 2435 Forest Drive Columbia, SC 29204 803-256-5300 www.provhosp.com
Library
Irmo Branch is located at 6251 St. Andrews Road 803-798-7880
Irmo is served by the Lexington County Public Library system
Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 8:00pm
Friday-Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Sunday 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Richland Branch is located at 2916 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 - 803-772-6675
Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-9:00pm
Friday-Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday Closed
