Limestone College – Cherokee County, South Carolina

Limestone College in Gaffney was established in 1845, and was the first women’s college in South Carolina. Dr. Thomas Curtis and his son William from England founded the school in order to provide an education to those who normally wouldn’t receive one. During the late 1960s the school began accepting male students.

Josh Crotzer of Gaffney submitted the picture above. Josh, who is Limestone’s Director of Communications, found this picture in the college’s files.

This building above is the Winnie Davis Hall of History. The structure was completed in 1904, and is named after the daughter of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Its original purpose was to promote the study of Southern history and literature.

Josh writes: “This building is often called the crown jewel of the Limestone College campus. The violet glow of the sunset provides deceiving visual warmth to the 105-year old building, a stark and ironic contrast to the cold and empty darkness that has resided inside for over 30 years. Closed to students and the public since 1976, Winnie Davis Hall is currently under renovation. Upon completion, it will be home to a history and arts museum and state-of-art classrooms, all while retaining its unique and historic architecture.”

The picture above is of the Lighting of the Luminaries. It has become a Christmas holiday tradition practiced at Limestone College each year since 1984. When this picture was taken on December 4, 2010, a drizzle of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of students and citizen volunteers who lit some 10,000 candles placed in sand inside white paper bags. The luminaries, which have become a popular drive-by event, shined brightly around the college campus, along College Drive and on several other Gaffney streets all the way to the doorways of Gaffney City Hall.

Many thanks to Rodger Painter for providing the luminary picture and great information.