Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Archaeology in the Woods
Thousands of Years a Home
From archaeological and historical research, we know people have lived, used, and enjoyed the land that is now Hitchcock Woods for thousands of years. During a survey of the Woods, archaeological found stone tools such as arrowheads, spear points, and axes, and fragments of pottery made by Native Americans when they lived and hunted in these woods. Artifacts from later European settlements also have been found here.
A Railroading Treasure
Archaeologists also made a unique discovery. One of the last big floods to sweep down the Sand River uncovered sevral sections of wooden rails capped with iron and a large pulley. Researchers believed they were part of the 1833 Charleston to Hamburg railroad. During their investigations, archaeologists uncovered more of the rails and confirmed they were part of the steam-powered Inclined plane used to move rail cars up and down the steep slope at Aiken. This amazing site, located right here in Hitchcock Woods, holds some of the oldest remnants of railroading in our country and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Did You Know?
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[Caption:]
Found artifacts include pottery from the Highland Park Hotel that burned in 1898 and different types of arrowheads and spear points.
Erected 2022 by the City of Aiken and the Hitchcock Woods Foundation with additional support from the Aiken Land Conservancy and Aiken Streetscapes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 33° 33.381′ N, 81° 43.597′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is on South Boundary Avenue Southwest west of Laurens Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 394 S Boundary Ave SW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Railroad in the Woods (here, next to this marker); Plant a Pollinator Buffet (a few steps from this marker); Lovely as a Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Urban Forsest (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore Hitchcock Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); A Feathered Friend Returns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tree that Built the South (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trouble with Aiken's Inclined Plane (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
