The good fortune stemmed from Paris, France, where an International Congress of Physicians declared Summerville, because of the abundance of pines and the belief in the healing aspects of that tree's penetrating scent, as one of the two best places in the world for the treatment and recovery of lung disorders. This led to the building of inns and hotels to handle the mass of visitors, who first came for their health and then discovering the comeliness of the town, built winter homes and often became permanent residents. Since the early 1900's day tourists have flocked to the town during early spring to enjoy millions of spring blossoms, particularly azaleas, in private and public gardens, including the mid-town Azalea Park. The population hovered around 3,000 for nearly a century, not reaching 6,000 until the late 1970's, then doubled itself twice in just over a decade. Summerville has long been a bedroom community for both Charleston business people and military personnel, continuing her respite tradition.
Specialized business abound and there is a continued, but controlled, growth of area industry.
The 1995 Summerville population is 25,000 with an additional 50,000 in satellite communities. The town is part of the Main Street Program with a Downtown Restoration Enhancement and Management Corporation and has thriving fine arts, sports, museum and preservation organizations. There are 700 local buildings on the National Historic Register.