Thursday, December 29, 2011

Lake Murray Historical Map

I had the pleasure to see and meet with Mr. Ed Fetner again today.  Mr. Fetner, now retired, produced the Lake Murray Fishunt map for approximately 48 years. During his career, he worked in aeronautics and aviation related fields during World War II, mapping at the South Carolina Highway Department and finally retiring as the chief structural engineer at Wilbur Smith and Associates.

Mr. Ed Fetner as his Lake Murray home - December 2011


After he and a cousin got lost on Lake Marion in the early 1950's, he produced his first map - Lake Marion. Around 1952, he produced his first Lake Murray map and called his maps Fishunt after that. That map was the very first Lake Murray map produced for sale to the public. An interesting thing... I first met Mr. Fetner in the early 1960's when my father went to his Columbia home to buy an early edition Lake Murray map. He moved to Lake Murray in the early 1970's. Then, I met Mr. Fetner again a few years ago when I bought a supply of Lake Murray maps. He sold his Fishunt map business about 11 years ago.

Through the years, Mr. Fetner personally named a number of islands and prominent points on Lake Murray. He has received numerous recognitions and awards as a historian and cartographer, including Citizen of the Year by the Lake Murray Association.   Writing historical articles has also been a favorite hobby as he has written numerous articles for local newspapers and other publications.

The special map I bought today is the Lake Murray Then and Now historical map.  Want one? You can buy the historical Lake Murray Then and Now print or a framed print at Palmetto Fine Arts in Chapin.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray resident and Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214

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