If one of the newly coined “stay-cations” seems right up your alley this year, consider the SC Heritage Corridor’s Discovery Route. Stretching 240 miles from Charleston to Pickens, with suggested stops at state parks, county museums, and “discovery sites,” the trip is perfect for both adults and children. Diverse bits of our heritage come together across the 14-county journey, joining to tell a more seamless account of SC’s history.

The corridor is divided into four regions, making the trip more manageable. We recently followed the route through Region 3 of the Heritage Corridor. Here you can trace the path of what was once America’s longest railroad, pamper yourself in the one-time winter resort town of Aiken, and even taste water from an artesian well that was deeded to God by its last owner!

You should devote at least two days to this trip. Spend the first exploring small towns such as Blackville and Branchville, the epitome of rural SC life and perfect places for history buffs to brush up on the significance of railroads and agriculture in 19th century South Carolina. Here are some of our favorite highlights:

• For a taste of the aforementioned water, visit God’s Acre Healing Springs in Blackville. You know it’s good when locals can be seen filling up their water jugs too.
• The railroad played a fundamental role in the development of the area. Towns sprang up every few miles, including that of Branchville, the site of the world’s first railroad junction. You can now visit the Branchville Railroad Museum at the site of the old depot.
• Notice the many hyphenated schools in the area; they exist around the state but seem especially prevalent here as small towns combine resources. Look for Blackville-Hilda, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Williston-Elko, and Denmark-Olar high schools.
• You’ll pass right through Williston – once known as the Asparagus Capital of the World. The town was also heavily invested in the cotton industry. Keep your eye out for the Williston Gin, which was in operation for over a century.
• If you have children with you, they’ll definitely enjoy the Region Three Discovery Center which features hands-on interpretive activities.
• Our Town Clock Photo Gallery gained several new additions on this trip. Town clocks for Aiken, Blackville, and Williston are now in our gallery! Remember to send in your photos!

	BLACKVILLE TOWN CLOCK		AIKEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM		DOWNTOWN AIKEN HORSE STATUE

On the second day, change gears and head to the City of Aiken, a popular winter colony in the late 1800’s which has retained its upscale feel. It too was influenced by the railroad; in fact, the town is named after William Aiken, Sr., first president of the South Carolina Railroad.

• Take a tour through the Aiken County Historical Museum. It occupies a 32-room house, part of which dates back to 1840. The rooms are filled with memorabilia relating to everything from the Savannah River Site to the Civil War and includes replicas of an old Aiken pharmacy, a long-time mayor’s office, and a post office from Aiken’s past. Be warned – the museum practically doubles as a maze!
• Hitchcock Woods is America’s largest urban forest at 2,100 acres. Bicycles are not allowed, but in keeping with Aiken tradition, horses are welcome!
• Equestrians may also enjoy a visit to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. The museum is tucked away inside Hopelands Gardens, which hosts evening concerts in the summer.
• Downtown Aiken is full of unique shops and restaurants and is fun to explore. After a long day of taking in the sights, we felt we deserved a cool treat at Sweet Cow Creamery.

Perhaps you agree that one of the great things about South Carolina is our geographical and cultural diversity – “From the Mountains to the Sea” only begins to tell the tale. If so, we think you’ll enjoy exploring South Carolina’s Heritage Corridor, which celebrates the variety our state has to offer while showcasing our shared history. If you go, be sure to send us your recommendations & photos – after all, we have three more regions to explore!

Tags: aiken, blackville, branchville, railroads, sc heritage corridor, staycation, williston

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm and is filed under SC Places. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.