Points of Interest AIKEN COUNTY
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Thoroughbred Country South Carolina Aiken Allendale Bamberg Barnwell Counties Way More than Horses! Attractions Lodging Dining Shopping Recreation & more www.TBredCountry.org PhotographyPho in this publication courtesy of: • CityC of Aiken • Larry Price Photography • SilverSi Bluff Audubon Center • South Carolina State Parks • Christopher Hall • Larry Gleason • SCDNR Th oroughbred Country has taken every precaution to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this publication. Th oroughbred Country cannot accept responsibility for changes that occur after publication and will not be responsible for omissions or errors. We want your journey to be a pleasant one and urge you to call ahead before traveling. Photographs and art in this publication are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the photographer or artist and/or Th oroughbred Country. TABLE OF CONTENTS About Th oroughbred Country 2 Region Map 36 Touring Ideas 38 Aiken County 3 Points of Interest 3 What’s Close By 39 Lodging 6 Locator Map 40 Camping & RV Parks 9 Dining 9 Historic Churches, Cemeteries Shopping 13 & Markers 41 City of Aiken Map 16 City of North Augusta Map 17 Recreation 47 South Carolina Department Allendale County 18 of Natural Resources 47 Points of Interest 18 Fishing-Rivers 47 Lodging 20 Fishing-Ponds & Other Areas 48 Dining 20 Hunting & Sporting Clubs 49 Shopping 20 Fox Hunts & Polo 50 Town of Allendale Map 21 Equine Facilities 51 Golf 52 Bamberg County 22 Miniature Golf 53 Points of Interest 22 Canoe & Kayak Rentals 53 Lodging 23 Other 53 Camping & RV Parks 23 Heritage Preserves 55 Dining 24 State Parks & Nature Trails 56 Shopping 24 City & County Parks 58 City of Bamberg Map 26 City of Denmark Map 27 Meeting & Rental Facilities 59 Festivals & Special Events 62 Barnwell County 28 Plan Your Visit 65 Points of Interest 28 Guided Tours 66 Lodging 30 Transportation 67 Camping & RV Parks 30 Dining 31 General Living 68 Shopping 32 Colleges & Hospitals 68 Town of Blackville Map 34 Local Newspapers 68 City of Barnwell Map 35 Tax Information 68 Climate & Seasonal Highlights 68 1 Th oroughbred Country Visitor Guide WE’RE WAY MORE THAN HORSES Our History … Experience four beautiful counties in western South Carolina where yesterday is preserved for today. History from every American era is evident throughout this region known as Th oroughbred Country, South Carolina. Learn about Colonial Times through demonstrations in pottery, frontier trading and blacksmithing. Come explore Civil War battle sites and historic plantation homes. Visit our small, quaint towns where you will fi nd museums rich with history and festivals that display local culture. Churches of the past and stories of the Charleston to Hamburg rail line can also be found. Our Nature … While history abounds, Th oroughbred Country is also a place of natural beauty. Notice the Spanish moss gracing enormous live oak trees. Take in the local fl ora and fauna at a sanctuary. Ponder over the unusual elliptical phenomenon known as a Carolina Bay. Hike through an urban forest or let the elegance of a local garden carry you to another time. If you desire more active recreation, then paddle the Edisto River, the longest free-fl owing, blackwater river in the world. Cool off with a drink from Blackville’s Healing Springs, whose waters are believed to have curative powers. Our Shopping … “Shopper’s Paradise” would also be an accurate description of this diverse region. Here you can shop for antiques and local crafts, such as locally-thrown pottery or Mennonite quilts. Unique gifts and art galleries including that of Jim Harrison, a nationally-known artist, can also be found. Our Food … Take a break from your adventures and enjoy our cuisine. Roadside stands, cozy cafes, freshly-baked Mennonite goods and full-scale dining as well as everything in between can be found here. Of course, we still have your southern favorites such as grits, barbeque, collards and fried chicken. And Rest … After a full day of experiencing our history, our nature, our shopping and our food, rest your head at a quaint bed and breakfast or a historic hotel. Awaken the next day refreshed and ready for the next adventure. Th oroughbred Country Visitor Guide 2 AIKEN COUNTY Aiken County is known throughout the world as an equestrian training center claiming National Champions. Champions include: Palace Malice, 2013 Belmont Stakes winner; Pleasant Colony, 1981 Kentucky Derby winner; Summer Squall, 1990 Preakness winner; Sea Hero, 1993 Kentucky Derby winner; and Kelso, Horse of the Year for 5 consecutive years in the 1960’s. History in towns such as Aiken, North Augusta, Beech Island, Wagener and Salley all represent time periods in South Carolina history. Plantation homes, churches, country stores, the Charleston-Hamburg Railway and more tell stories of the people who built the region through the introduction of new cultures, religions and their ingenuity. Aiken County is also a place of history and natural beauty. Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the United States, and Hopelands Gardens, are two places to visit for anyone who appreciates the beauty of preserved land. Hunting, fi shing, golfi ng and shopping are also available. Whatever brings you here, enjoy! Points of Interest Living History Park, 299 W Spring Grove Ave, North Augusta. 803-279-7560. Plays host to special events including Colonial Times which exhibits examples of everyday life in the 18th century. A meeting house, backwoods cabin, smoke house, blacksmith forge, cabinet shop, mercantile, grist mill, apothecary, slave cabin, post & print shop, Colonial barn and tavern round out the park. Located at the entrance to the park is the Sensory Garden, one of only a few accessible sensory gardens for the sight impaired. Th e total access garden is of the 21st century in a Colonial setting. Th e park is open dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, 365 days Redcliff e Plantation State Historic Site a year. www.colonialtimes.us Redcliff e Plantation State Historic Site, Historic North Augusta, Brochure available 181 Redcliff e Rd, Beech Island. 803-827-1473. at the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, 1859 Greek Revival antebellum mansion of 406 West Ave, 803-279-2323. Th e Star of James Henry Hammond and four generations Edgefi eld on Butler Avenue was built in 1860 of his family. Th e house is complete with and sports elaborate ironwork by a foundry in furniture, decorative arts and artwork from New Orleans. Th e matching fence was in route the various periods of occupation. Th e site from New Orleans by a “blockade runner” also features two slave quarters and a stable during the Civil War when it was sunk by a with exhibits. Special programs are off ered Union gunboat. Several properties are listed on throughout the year. Listed on the National the National Register of Historic Places. Register of Historic Places. Grounds are open daily 9am to 6pm year-round. House tours SRP Park, 187 Railroad Ave, North Augusta. Th -Mon at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Admission 803-349-9467. Entertainment venue. Home charged for house tours. of the Augusta GreenJackets, a minor league www.southcarolinaparks.com/redcliff e baseball team. Concerts and other events scheduled throughout the year. http://www.greenjacketsbaseball.com 3 Th oroughbred Country Visitor Guide Beech Island Historical Society Visitors Vaucluse and Graniteville Historic Center and Barn, 144 Old Jackson Hwy, Districts, Th e cornerstone of the old mill Beech Island. 803-867-3600. Th e visitors dated 1832, is one of the fi rst in the area. Th e center tells the story of Beech Island, one of the Graniteville Mill, built in 1846, was the fi rst oldest settlements in South Carolina, dating cotton mill in the South. Th e mill, having back to 1685 as Savannah Town. Th e history survived Sherman’s March during the Civil room includes Native American, Colonial, War, was built by William Gregg. Th e mill agricultural and river transportation displays. and town initially included 90 homes, two When displays are completed, the Barn churches, a school, several boarding houses will become the Beech Island Agricultural and six stores. Most buildings were constructed Museum. Open Wed, Th 11am-2pm, and by of blue granite which gave the town its name. appointment. www.beechislandhistory.org Several examples of the Blue Row Homes can still be seen. Both are listed on the National Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary, Register of Historic Places. 4542 Silver Bluff Rd, Jackson. 803-471-0291. Silver Bluff is a 3,250-acre wildlife sanctuary Wade Hampton Veterans Park, 226 owned by the National Audubon Society. Georgia Ave, North Augusta. North Augusta Habitat and wildlife diversity make Silver Parks, Recreation, & Tourism. 803-441-4300. Bluff a favorite destination for birding, Dedicated to the memory of Civil War wildfl owers, photography or a simply quiet General Wade Hampton, the park has walk. A 3/4-mile and a 2-mile walking trail are monuments dedicated to the veterans of every available. Education at the center focuses on war our country has participated in since the forest and land management and is targeted Revolution, and is laid out to mimic the stars toward school groups and the general public. and stripes of the American fl ag. Please call ahead for current hours. No fee, donations accepted. No pets. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta. Horse Creek Valley Veterans Park, 803-441-4380. Th e Center is dedicated to the US 421, Bath. Veterans from the Midland exhibition of regional arts and history with Valley area are honored at this park. Th e main a 2,300 sq ft permanent interactive history focus of the park is the circle of honor that exhibit and two galleries of exhibits which contains approximately 900 names of veterans rotate every two months.