Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hitchcock Woods
Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008
1. Hitchcock Woods Marker ( Front)
Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the United States, is an area consolidated between 1891 and 1898 by Celestine Eustis (d. 1921), Thomas Hitchcock (1860-1941), and William Whitney (1841-1904). Described as "the greatest equine playground in America," this tract of more than 8,000 acres was used for steeplechases, fox hunts and other equestrian recreation by the wealthy Northerners who belonged to the "Aiken Winter Colony."
The tract, now comprising almost 2,000 acres, has been owned and managed by the Hitchcock Foundation since 1939, when Thomas Hitchcock and his daughter Helen Clark established the foundation. Landmarks include Memorial Gate; Cathedral Aisle, a portion of the railroad bed built by the S.C. Rail Road in 1833-34; and Sand River, an unusual natural formation. Annual events include the Aiken Horse Show each April and the "Blessing of the Hounds" each November.
Erected 2005 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, sponsored by Aiken County Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Natural Resources • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location.
this page online
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 the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Power of Water (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tree that Built the South (within shouting distance of this marker); A Feathered Friend Returns (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Urban Forsest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Explore Hitchcock Woods (about 300 feet away); Ergle Family Log Cabin (about 300 feet away); The Transit of Venus (about 300 feet away); The One Room Schoolhouse (about 300 feet away); Lovely as a Tree (about 400 feet away); "Banksia" (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Also see . . .
1. Aiken Winter Colony Historic District I. Aiken Winter Colony Historic District I is significant as the area in Aiken most closely associated with the Winter Colony and the horse industry. (Submitted on March 14, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Fifty Valuable and Delicious Recipes Made with Corn Meal by Cιlestine Eustis. 1917 cookbook written by Miss Celestine Eustis. (Submitted on March 14, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Thomas Hitchcock. Thomas Hitchcock (November 23, 1860 - September 1941) was one of the leading
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
2. Hitchcock Woods Marker ( Reverse)
4. William Collins Whitney. William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841 - February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and founder of the prominent Whitney family. (Submitted on March 14, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Hitchcock Woods
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Hitchcock Woods
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2013
5. Hitchcock Woods Marker Laurens Street SW at S Boundry Avenue
Photographed by Brian Scott, 1901
6. William Collins Whitney
1841-1904
1841-1904
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
7. Hitchcock Woods Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
8. Hitchcock Woods Gateway
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,035 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on February 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on January 11, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Pictures of the Memorial Gate, Cathedral Aisle, railroad bed, and Sand River. • Can you help?
