Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Glencairn Garden

Birthplace of Come-See-Me Festival

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

1. Glencairn Garden Marker

Inscription. Glencairn Garden had its beginning in the 1920's as the private garden of Dr. and Mrs. David Bigger adjacent to their home on Crest Street. In 1958, then Mayor John Hardin led the purchase of the home and garden on behalf of the City of Rock Hill. One of South Carolina's best-known landscape architects, Robert Marvin, designed a plan for the development of a formal public garden with walkways surrounding a cascading fountain and pool.

In 1962, with the new garden completed, former Rock Hill Mayor and State Senator, C.H. "Ickey" Albright, saw the perfect opportunity to realize his long held dream of an annual city festival. He proposed that a spring event be held inviting visitors to "Come See" Rock Hill and Glencairn Garden. Supported by a proclamation from Mayor Hardin and City Council declaring a festival weekend, Mr. Albright served as organizing chairman of the first and second Come-See-Me Festivals. Mr. Vernon Grant, who had retired to Rock Hill following a successful career as an illustrator and creator of Kellogg's "Snap, Crackle and Pop," designed the festival mascot, Glen the Frog.

The annual Come-See-Me Festival has become the largest volunteer managed festival in South Carolina and still finds its inspiration in Glen the Frog and the spring blooming of Glencairn Garden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 34° 55.957′ N, 81° 1.282′ W. Marker is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in York County. It can be reached from the intersection of Crest Street and Charlotte Avenue, on the left when traveling east. The marker is on the east side of the house overlooking Glencairn Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 723 Crest St, Rock Hill SC 29730, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ante-Bellum Landowners / Upper Landsford Road, Now Charlotte Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Grant (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Purple Heart Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Milton Cherry House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Victory Gardens (approx. ¼ mile away); Armstrong-Mauldin House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hill.

Wide view Glencairn Garden Marker and Bigger House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

2. Wide view Glencairn Garden Marker and Bigger House

Bigger House and Come-See-Me Festival House plaques on the front porch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

3. Bigger House and Come-See-Me Festival House plaques on the front porch

Front view of Bigger House. Marker is around the corner to the right side. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

4. Front view of Bigger House. Marker is around the corner to the right side.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 33 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.