Situated adjacent to Lake Marion in the northeastern section of the County, Santee received its name in the 1930's from an Indian word meaning "the rivers". Soon the village began to grow, in part because U.S. Highways 301 and 15 pass through. When the flooding of the Santee Cooper Lakes was completed in 1940-41, the area began to add new business interests, mainly tourism and related enterprises, to its basic agricultural economy. What began as a very convenient overnight stop halfway between New York and Florida, is that and much more today.

Santee has a multitude of restaurants, motels, service stations and sports related businesses. Santee State Park, located on Lake Marion, contains cottages, meeting halls, campsites, picnic areas, lighted tennis courts, playgrounds, nature trails and of course, swimming, fishing, sailing and boating. For the fisherman, there are boat dealers, tackle shops, fish camps, boat ramps and everything the angler needs. Other water sports enthusiasts will also find things to their liking in and around Santee. It is not surprising that Santee is as well-known for golfing as for fishing. The area is a veritable golfers paradise, with beautiful courses beside the waters of Lake Marion or nestled among the gently rolling hills that are so often identified with this region.

Hunters will welcome the challenge of searching out native birds and game in their natural habitat. For the nature lover, a visit to the National Wildlife Refuge just north of Santee, where native animals and birds can be seen, is a must! For those who are less athletically and outdoorsy inclined, there are great shops to please the most discriminating taste.

The area boasts new residential developments on the lake and around golf courses, as well as a retirement community in the heart of Santee. The Santee Fun Festival in September includes many family activities. An array of events are planned to provide a wealth of enjoyment. Games, live entertainment and a parade are all on the schedule. For more information, see the Santee Tourism Web Site Visitors to the area are served by the only in-state Welcome Center, which is on I-95.