This courthouse was built to replace the old courthouse, which was constructed in 1851 and now serves as Newberry’s Community Hall and Chamber of Commerce. Made from red brick and terracotta, the current courthouse was designed in the neoclassical style by famed architect Frank Pierce Milburn. Milburn designed several other historic South Carolina buildings, including the South Carolina State House, the old Anderson County Courthouse, and the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston.

The courthouse consists of three stories and a basement, and it is marked by Ionic brick columns at its entrance. The building was enlarged in 1938, with a rear addition designed by Columbia architect and Prosperity native Heyward Singley. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson, who took this picture in November 2011.

Between 1917 and 1932, over 5,000 schools were built in the rural South to educate African-American children. They were called Rosenwald Schools in honor of Julius Rosenwald, then president of Sears and Roebuck, who provided the majority of funds for their construction.

During the 1950s, South Carolina began a “separate but equal” building spree in an effort to forestall integration. While the Hope School predates the SC Equalization School building spree, its history is similar to many of the schools built during this era.

After the Hope School closed, it was used by the church next door as storage and meeting space. Locals and alumni began a restoration effort in 2007, and in 2009 the school was rededicated as Hope School Community Center.

Learn more about other Rosenwald Schools and SC historically black schools.

The Hope Rosenwald School is listed in the National Historic Register, where you can find many great historical photos of the school.

SCIWAY thanks Ann Helms of Spartanburg for submitting this picture she took in 2010.

Photographer Ralph Mayer tells us that this railroad bridge was built in 1890 and crosses the Broad River. The original bridge was intentionally burned by the Confederate troops during the Civil War to slow the advance of General Sherman’s troops. Ralph adds that it is a wonderful part of the Palmetto Trail to enjoy hiking and biking!

This statewide trail system was first conceived in 1994 by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, and is a federally-designated Millennium Legacy Trail. The Palmetto Trail connects many existing trails and paths which showcase our state’s history, culture, and unique geography. It is broken down into passages that can be enjoyed in just a day, or over a couple of days, so don’t feel overwhelmed by the thought of hiking across the state all at once!

The Palmetto Trail is made up of a wide variety of trails – from urban bike trails and greenways to Revolutionary War battlefields and hiking trails. Once completed, this will be one of only sixteen cross-state trails in the country.

For more information and trail maps, check out the Palmetto Conservation Foundation.