On Park Avenue near York St. SE (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling east.
Aiken County, created in 1871 from parts of Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties, was named for William Aiken, first president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. Older industries in the county today are textiles, . . . — — Map (db m9707) HM
On Newberry Street Southwest at Park Avenue Southwest, in the median on Newberry Street Southwest.
The tracks of the S.C. Railroad, operated by the S.C. Canal & Railroad Company, ran here from 1833 to the 1850s. The company, chartered in 1827, began constructing a 136-mile long line from Charleston to Hamburg (near North Augusta) in 1830. . . . — — Map (db m36676) HM
On York Street SE at Richland Avenue (U.S. 78), on the right when traveling north on York Street SE.
In Commemoration Of The
Founding Of Aiken County
on
March 10, 1871
Celebrating 125 years
County Commissioners:
Sen. C.D. Hayne, Rep. Gloster Holland,
Rep. William B. Jones, Rep. Sam J. Lee,
William Peel, Rep. Prince Rivers, . . . — — Map (db m34610) HM
On Laurens Street SW near The Alley, on the right when traveling north.
Aiken, chartered in 1835 and the county seat of Aiken County since its creation in 1871, was an early stop on the railroad line from Charleston to Hamburg. It was named for William Aiken (1779–1831), the first president of the S.C. Canal and . . . — — Map (db m9640) HM
On Richland Avenue West (U.S. 1) near Morgan Street, on the right when traveling west.
Aiken Hospital. The first public hospital in Aiken, at the corner of Richland Ave. and Vaucluse Rd., was built in 1917 for the Aiken Hospital and Relief Society, with donations from members of the “Aiken Winter Colony.” The City of Aiken . . . — — Map (db m54518) HM
On Whiskey Road (State Highway 19) near Colleton Ave Southeast, on the right when traveling north.
The Aiken Institute, which gave this area the name of “Institute Hill,” was chartered in 1888. The main building, designed by I.F. Goodrich in 1891, includes a wing added in 1913. All grades attended the Institute until 1937, when a new high . . . — — Map (db m9942) HM
On Barnwell Avenue Northwest east of Lancaster Street, on the right when traveling east.
Aiken Preparatory School (APS), founded in 1916 as a boarding school for “junior gentlemen” in grades 4-8, was a fixture in the city of Aiken for almost 100 years. Louise “Lulie” Hitchcock (1867-1934), a leader among the wealthy Northerners in . . . — — Map (db m238832) HM
On Laurens Street NW, on the right when traveling south.
In this building on
October 31, 1898
the author Jeff Scott
began collecting notes for
the Southern novel
Beneath The Glass Door.
Due to unforeseen circumstances
the book was not completed until
much later. Out of the scenic . . . — — Map (db m86818) HM
On Newberry Street Southwest north of First Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
Banksia, named for the yellow roses of the same name that grow here, was commissioned in 1931 by Richard Howe – Aiken Winter Colonist. The 14,000 sq. ft. Colonial Revival mansion, with 35 rooms, 15 bathrooms, and a ballroom, was designed by noted . . . — — Map (db m239074) HM
On Gregg Avenue north of Augustus Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Built c. 1856 for James Parsons Carroll (1809-1883), this is the last surviving house from the original Kalmia village, a summer retreat for Charleston-area residents. An Edgefield lawyer born in Charleston, Carroll served several terms in the . . . — — Map (db m292037) HM
On Highland Park Drive near Highland Park Terrace SW, in the median.
The Highland Park Hotel, Aiken’s first grand tourist hotel, stood atop this plateau. It was built in 1869-70 and opened in 1870. A four-story Second Empire wing built in 1874 doubled its capacity to 350 guests. Open from November to June, it . . . — — Map (db m29974) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m9776) HM
On Highland Park Avenue Southwest at Highland Park Terrace Southwest, on the left when traveling west on Highland Park Avenue Southwest.
Near here is the site of the Inclined Plane, a crucial segment of the original S.C. Railroad. The railroad's mainline was built from 1830 to 1833 by the S.C. Canal & Rail Road Co. to connect Charleston to Hamburg and the Savannah River. The . . . — — Map (db m292039) HM
On Richland Avenue (U.S. 78) at Gregg Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Richland Avenue.
This is the site of Kalmia, the home and plantation of William Gregg (1800-1867), pioneer industrialist of the antebellum South. A native of Va., Gregg moved to S.C. in the 1820s, becoming a craftsman and merchant in Columbia and Charleston. In . . . — — Map (db m238816) HM
On Newberry Street SW at Richland Avenue West (U.S. 1), in the median on Newberry Street SW.
The town of Aiken, on land donated by Mr. Beverly M. Rodgers to the S.C. Rail Road in 1834, was laid out around a core of 27 city blocks bounded by Edgefield and Park Aves. and Newberry and Williamsburg Sts. This area was surveyed by civil . . . — — Map (db m29613) HM
Near Scholar Loop south of College Station Drive, on the right when traveling south.
This plantation house, first known as “Edgewood,” is an excellent example of Federal-era architecture. Originally near Edgefield, it was built in 1828 for Francis W. Pickens (1807-1869), state representative and senator, congressman, U.S. . . . — — Map (db m43154) HM
On Mead Avenue east of Magnolia Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east.
Polo in Aiken. Polo was first played in the U.S. in 1876. In 1882, the first polo match in S.C. took place in Aiken. The sports introduction here was credited to Clarence S. Wallace of N.Y. He and other "Winter Colonists" soon after . . . — — Map (db m292183) HM
On Laurens St. SW near Park Ave SW, on the right when traveling south.
Began first successful scheduled steam railroad service in America on December 25, 1830, and by 1833 its 136 miles from Charleston to Hamburg made it the world’s longest railroad. Now part of Southern Railway System. — — Map (db m9999) HM
On Magnolia Street Southeast north of Grace Avenue Southeast, on the left when traveling north.
This cemetery dates to the 1820s and was in use prior to the founding of the Town of Aiken (1835). It was established by the local Williams family, who were among Aiken's earliest settlers and used this as their burial ground for several . . . — — Map (db m292181) HM
On York Street Southeast south of Ray Lane, on the right when traveling south.
The house was built for the family of William White Williams (1787-1845), a planter and S.C. legislator for Barnwell District (1830-1931). the core of the house may date to 1824, by which time the family lived at this site. In the 1830s, Williams . . . — — Map (db m292180) HM
On Laurens Street North West (State Highway 19) north of Jones Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
German prisoners of war were held in a camp on this site from November 1943 to May 1946. This camp, one of 21 in S.C., was at first a sub-camp of the POW camp at Camp Gordon (now Fort Gordon), in Augusta, Ga. It was later a sub-camp of Fort . . . — — Map (db m36396) HM
On Atomic Road (State Highway 125) near Government 3, on the right when traveling south.
Post office est. here 1873. Town chartered 1880. Ellenton and surrounding area purchased by US Govt in early 1950s for establishment of Savannah River Plant. — — Map (db m9910) HM
On South Main Street (State Highway 19) near Williston Road (U.S. 278), on the right when traveling east.
The Savannah River Plant (SRP) was built 1950–56 by Du Pont for the Atomic Energy Commission. SRP, a nuclear production plant, produced tritium and plutonium for national defense during the Cold War. Creating a 310-sq.-mi. site in three . . . — — Map (db m9941) HM
On Carolina Avenue south of Butler Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This was the site of the North Augusta station of the Augusta-Aiken Railway, a trolley line that opened in 1902. It was one of only three "interurbans" in S.C., electrified railways that connected distinct urban areas. The 26-mi. line ran between . . . — — Map (db m291969) HM
On Sand Dam Road (South Carolina Route 113) at A.L. Corbett Circle, on the right when traveling south on Sand Dam Road.
A.L. Corbett School for grades 1-12 opened at this site in 1954. The $600,000-facility was funded by the state equalization program, an effort to preserve segregation by improving African American schools. It enrolled 785 students in its first . . . — — Map (db m292194) HM
On Freedom Blvd. (US 21) at Freedom Rd. (US 21), on the right when traveling north on Freedom Blvd. (US 21).
The first settlement of the town of Branchville was 1735 about one mile southeast of the present town. Almost 100 years later, the present town grew from 170 acres of land purchased from the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. It was . . . — — Map (db m16536) HM
On West Forest Avenue at Carolina Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Forest Avenue.
After the Civil War, the nearby Town of Hamburg, SC became a town where free blacks and freed slaves settled. Important local government positions were held by African-American leaders from the Town of Hamburg. The most notable were Prince . . . — — Map (db m274006) HM
On Wagener Road (State Highway 302), on the right when traveling west.
(Left)
Herbert Boyd (H.B.) Crawford
U.S. Navy
Honorably Discharged
April 8, 1946
During World War II with Japan
his back was broken & both
legs were paralyzed when his
cargo ship was torpedoed
(Right)
Mabel . . . — — Map (db m56751) HM
On W Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
North Augusta, chartered in 1906, includes the site of two early towns. Campbell Town was a trading post on the Savannah River before the American Revolution. Hamburg, founded in 1821 as a port on the river, was an early western terminus of the . . . — — Map (db m9672) HM
Near Newberry Street Southwest at New Lane Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
In the fall of 1882, a group of German scientists arrived in Aiken to observe and document an astronomical phenomenon - the transit of Venus. Every 243 years, the planet Venus travels between Earth and the Sun for a time span of only six hours. . . . — — Map (db m292047) HM
On Richland Avenue West at Newberry Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east on Richland Avenue West.
McGhee Block. This seven-storefront brick building was built in 1920 by African American contractors and cousins William M. McGhee and Albert B. McGhee. Known as the McGhee Block, it housed such businesses as stores, dry cleaners, . . . — — Map (db m292192) HM
On S Boundary Ave SE at Chesterfield St. S, on the right when traveling west on S Boundary Ave SE.
This park, laid out in 1904-05 was named for William Collins Whitney (1841-1904). Whitney, a lawyer, Secretary of the Navy 1885-1889 under Grover Cleveland, and financier, was also an avid sportsman and leading member of the "Aiken Winter . . . — — Map (db m10210) HM
About Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
Redcliffe Plantation was the home of James Henry Hammond (1807-1864) and three generations of his descendants. Hammond whose political career included terms as a United States Congressman, . . . — — Map (db m9591) HM
On Chesterfield Street NE near Richland Avenue (U.S. 78), in the median.
Near this spot on February 11, 1865
was fought one of the final Confederate
victories of the War Between The States.
Federal Cavalry commanded by Major
General Hugh Judson Kirkpatrick were
attacked by Confederate Cavalry
commanded by . . . — — Map (db m10061) HM
Near Union Street SE north of Sea Lane SE, on the left when traveling south.
Visitors to Aiken, today, arrive via interstates and airlines. Our Visitors Center and Train Museum stands as a reminder of the impact that the railway made on the establishment of this fine city.
From Hitchcock Woods (one of America's largest . . . — — Map (db m238830) HM
On State Highway 187 at Old Roberts Church Road on State Highway 187.
Organized in 1789 and sometimes called Simpson's Meetinghouse, this church is one of Anderson County's oldest Presbyterian churches. The Reverend John Simpson was the first minister, and the Reverend David Humphreys served here for 39 years until . . . — — Map (db m31002) HM
On Dunbarton Boulevard (State Highway 64), on the right when traveling west.
Ellenton Agricultural Club. Established March 24, 1894, this agricultural club was organized to promote the welfare and interests of the Ellenton farmers and to improve conditions generally. The first clubhouse, built in 1904, was moved here in . . . — — Map (db m8701) HM
On Ravenel Street west of Smythe Street, on the right when traveling west.
In early 1874, Oscar Sampson (1828-1904) and George Hall chartered Camperdown #1 mill. By June 1874, it was in full operation in the Vardry McBee brain mill. Camperdown #2 was in full operation by December 1875. By 1880, the Camperdown spinning . . . — — Map (db m198783) HM
The youngest Governor in South Carolina history, Evans served in the House and Senate before being elected Governor. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and is buried in Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield. — — Map (db m12923) HM
Religion has played an important part in the lives of the people of Edgefield County. In the 1760's, the great evangelist Daniel Marshall, came to this area and established Big Stevens Creek and Horn's Creek Churches. In 1826 Edgefield Baptists, . . . — — Map (db m12594) HM
Near Pinckney Boulevard 0.1 miles east of Ribaut Road (U.S. 21), on the left when traveling east.
"...I don't intend to lay down my gun till the war is done, and our brethren all get their freedom..."
-Sergeant Prince Rivers, First South Carolina Infantry
On August 25, 1862, General Rufus Saxton was authorized by the US War . . . — — Map (db m301270) HM
Near Stumphouse Tunnel Road near State Highway 28, on the right when traveling west.
[Listed from north to south]
Oconee Located on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Oconee County is known for nature-based activities such as boating, birding, backpacking, and camping
Pickens Pickens County has many beautiful . . . — — Map (db m185421) HM
On Park Street, on the right when traveling north.
(Front text) Nathaniel J. Frederick (1877-1938), educator, lawyer, newspaper editor, and civil rights activist, lived here from 1904 until his death. This house was built in 1903 by Cap J. Carroll, a prominent businessman and city official . . . — — Map (db m56499) HM
On South Boundary Avenue Southwest west of Laurens Avenue Southwest, on the left when traveling west.
1827 The SC General Assembly charters the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company (SCC&RR).
1828 William Aiken is appointed president of the SCC&RR Company.
1829 Col. William Howard and Col. J.B. Petitval complete surveys . . . — — Map (db m292050) HM
The Barnwell Ring
In 1941 Barnwell County was home to four of the most powerful men in South Carolina government. Serving for a time simultaneously,
Edgar A. Brown, Chm. of the Senate Finance Committee
J. Emile Harley, Governor
Pres. . . . — — Map (db m95192) HM
On Robert M. Bell Parkway (State Highway 19,118) near Trolley Line Road, on the right when traveling north.
Named in 1985 by action of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation and Highway Commission in recognition of an outstanding citizen and his many contributions to the life and well being of his county, district, and state.
2nd District member, . . . — — Map (db m44725) HM
[Front]:
This school, often called Retreat Colored School, was built in 1923 for the African-American students in and near Westminster. A two-room, two-teacher, elementary school, it was built by local builder William Walker Bearden of . . . — — Map (db m53235) HM
On Norway Road (County Highway 332) 0.3 miles west of Trojan Street (County Highway 2218), on the right when traveling west.
(front)
This is the site of the Rocky Swamp Rosenwald School, a frame three-room school built here in 1920-21 for African-American students in Neeses and vicinity. An elementary school with two to three teachers in grades 1-9, it was one of . . . — — Map (db m103398) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
