Before it was known as Burnettown, the area was little more than a stretch of scrub oaks, towering pines, and tall field grass, divided by a single rutted wagon road. In 1890, Daniel Burnette purchased land along one side of that dusty roadway—an investment that would quietly shape the community’s future.

That same year, civic leaders in Aiken and Augusta formed a committee to improve transportation between the two cities. They chose to build a trolley system and began acquiring land for tracks along the proposed route. Their vision was simple but forward-thinking: as the trolley traveled through developing areas, it would stop to pick up and drop off passengers, encouraging growth along the line.

By 1901, Mr. Burnette had sold several lots to families eager to build homes. A year later, in 1902, the South Carolina Power Company’s rail system—known as the Aiken-Augusta Interurban Trolley Line—began running through the valley. Because not every stop could be printed on tickets, passengers needed a way to signal their destination. Since Mr. Burnette had sold part of his property to the rail system, riders would often ask to be let off at “Mr. Burnette’s land.” Over time, residents began referring to the area as “Burnette Town,” a name that would eventually evolve into Burnettown.