Zemp Stadium

Home of the Camden Bulldogs

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History | Previous Home Fields | Photo Gallery | Location

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Home to Camden High School Football since 1929, Zemp Stadium (capacity 8,000) has been host to 7 State Championship teams during its long and illustrious history.

 

The Stadium was constructed and dedicated in 1929 after longtime Bulldog supporter, Blakeney Zemp. With the closing of W.K. Brumbach Stadium in Gaffney, Zemp Stadium is now the oldest active use stadium in the state of South Carolina.

 

Zemp Stadium has seen many memorable moments during its history, including two state championship game wins: Thanksgiving Day 1936 over Honea-Path and again in 1957 over Lancaster before 6,000 fans. On its way to the 1964 State title, the Bulldogs defeated Eau Claire 7-0 in perhaps the most famous game ever played at Zemp.

 

In recent years, the Dogs have given home fans many classic moments to remember, including the 1990 wins over Sumter, Hartsville and the Upper State Championship against Daniel (before perhaps the largest crowd ever at Zemp), which propelled that team to the State Title.

 

Following the 1996 season, Zemp Stadium was renovated, improved and expanded. The old visitors stands were torn down and a new home side, with a state-of-the-art press box and locker room, constructed in its place.

 

In 2000, Camden edged Marion 13-9 in a hard-fought playoff game, earning a berth in the AAA Lower State Championship. In 2001, Camden downed Newberry 34-14 for the Lower State Title.

 

But perhaps the most exciting moment in stadium history occurred during the 2001 AAA Playoffs, in a second-round game against the Wilson Tigers. Facing defeat with just 9 seconds left, Camden's Kelvin Grant returned a Wilson kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown on the game's final play, lifting the Dogs to a 19-17 win and saving CHS's eventual 15-0 and State Championship season.

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Previous CHS Home Fields

1) Property behind the old Episcopal rectory

2) Monument square near Dickinson monument, Laurens and Broad Street

3) "Sand-spur infested" lot on West Dekalb Street, site of fomer Powe Veneer Plant

4) Polo Field # 2

5) Polo Field # 1, behind old Kirkwood Hotel on Polo Lane

6) Wateree Mills Field

7) The baseball field

8) "The Fair Grounds"

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Zemp Stadium Photo Gallery

(click on the photos for larger version)

 

Zemp Stadium is located on Highway 521 in Camden. From 1-20, take exit 98 towards Camden and go 1.5 miles.

 

Photos and information on this page by Joe Cashion.