Local lore mistakenly claims that the house was either the site of a murder or built as a result of the man’s family burning to death in another home. Neither is true. John Robert Tolbert built the house between 1922 and 1926 to protect his family treasures.

The Rock House features eight symmetrical rooms on two floors with two fireplaces between them. It once had a spiral staircase in the center, which is now long gone.

SCIWAY thanks Blake Lewis of Greenwood for this fascinating history and shot taken in December 2010.

SCIWAY thanks Steven Faucette of Williamston for these pictures he took in 2012.

After the rail was removed, the town used the remaining railroad bed to create the Historic Downtown Walking Trail. Lined with beautiful crepe myrtles trees, the 1.4 mile trail begins at the Ninety Six Train Depot and features many of the town’s most notable landmarks, including the Kinard House, the gazebo, and the Star Fort Fountain.

SCIWAY thanks frequent contributor Mark Clark, an Abbeville native currently residing in Winnsboro, for sharing these photos.

Constructed by Loyalist soldiers and slaves from nearby farms and plantations, the Star Fort was completed in early 1781. Its unique design and 14-foot earthen walls provided unmatched protection and allowed musket and cannon fire in all directions. The Star Fort was home to several important battles, including the Siege of Star Fort, which was the longest siege of the Revolutionary War. Learn more about the Star Fort here.

Many thanks to Mark Clark, an Abbeville native currently residing in Winnsboro, for sharing this photo.

Several turn-of-the-century buildings along Main Street now house arts organizations and galleries. The Federal Building, first built in 1911, is the new home for the Greenwood Arts Center. It includes 25,000 square feet of gallery space, classrooms, meeting space, and offices for the Arts Council.

Down the street, the Museum and Greenwood Railroad Museum has exhibit space for arts and crafts, a permanent collection that recounts Greenwood’s roots as a railroad town, and a gift shop.

The Greenwood Community Theatre is also located on Main Street, across the street from the Federal Building and beside The Museum. Built in 1934 as a movie house, it was fully renovated in 2007 as a venue for live theater.

SCIWAY thanks Larry Gleason of Aiken for submitting these pictures in November 2010.

Long-time residents of Greenwood remember when a bottle cap paid the price of admission to a movie at the old theater. They also remember “Chilly Dillies” from the concession stand. This local treat was a big dill pickle served up in a cup of ice so it would be extra cold and crunchy.

The advent of shopping malls brought hard times for the downtown movie house. Business was flagging in 1978 when the community theater group purchased the building and converted its use to live theater. Support for much needed renovations came with the city’s decision in the early 2000s to anchor its downtown revival with historic properties. With its strong tradition in community entertainment, the theater was a natural priority for an extensive facelift.

After being dark for 18 months to remodel, the lights came up again in February of 2007 for Anything Goes. Renovations preserved the original terrazzo tile floor in the lobby. Improvements included seating capacity for nearly 300, better access for people using wheelchairs, new riggings, drapes, the addition of a catwalk, and an upgraded sound system.

Many thanks to Larry Gleason of Aiken for submitting this picture in November 2010.

Ninety Six, located in Greenwood County, is famous for its Revolutionary War history. The first land battle of the war was fought here during November of 1775. American forces quickly constructed a fort of wood and straw and dug in for a long fight. The British army was unable to oust the Patriot fighters from their post, and the battle eventually ended in a truce.

The British eventually fortified Ninety Six, and built a wall around the village in the shape of a star. This fort became known as the ‘Star Fort’ and was later overrun by American forces. Its ruins still stand today and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Many thanks to Larry Gleason of Aiken for submitting these pictures in November 2010.

See a picture from a Ninety Six National Historic Site war reenactment

Even before the railroad arrived in 1852, Greenwood was a progressive, attractive Upstate city. By the time the city was chartered in 1857, Greenwood had schools that had been in operation for 25 years.

SCIWAY thanks Michael Beard of Greenwood for sharing this picture taken in October of 2009.

Ninety Six, located in Greenwood County, is famous for its Revolutionary War history. The first land battle of the war was fought here during November of 1775. American forces quickly constructed a fort of wood and straw and dug in for a long fight. The British army was unable to oust the Patriot fighters from their post, and the battle eventually ended in a truce.

The British eventually fortified Ninety Six, and built a wall around the village in the shape of a star. This fort became known as the ‘Star Fort’ and was later overrun by American forces. Its ruins still stand today.

Throughout the 1700s and 1800s, the town’s population rose and fell, and even its location fluctuated. Ninety Six was officially incorporated in 1905. Special thanks to Ann Helms of Spartanburg, for sharing this photo with us. She took it in 2010.

In 1933, during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built Buzzard’s Roost Dam and a power plant on the Saluda River. This project was originally intended to create jobs and generate affordable electricity for residents. Greenwood County acquired more than 250 parcels of land in the lake basin, which is now Lake Greenwood.