SC Picture Project » Saluda County Photos

Marsh Johnson Plantation

SCIWAY — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:48:21 +0000

Saluda Theatre

SCIWAY — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:38:12 +0000

The Saluda Theatre is located at 107 Law Range Road in downtown Saluda. The theater was designed by Charles Thompson in the Art Deco style and opened in 1936. It served as the focal point for entertainment in Saluda and surrounding areas until it closed in October 1981.

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In 1987, the theater was purchased by the Saluda County Council and donated to the newly chartered Saluda County Historical Society, which fully restored the theater and established the Saluda County Museum in an adjoining building. Today the theater is home to the Saluda Players, the city’s community theater group.

The Saluda Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

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

Bonham House

SCIWAY — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:03:41 +0000

The Bonham House, also called Flat Grove, was built in 1780 in Saluda and was owned by Sophie Smith Bonham. Her husband, James Bonham, fought in the Revolutionary War. Her son, James Butler Bonham, became a South Carolina hero for his brave battle at the Alamo.

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Since James Bonham died at the Alamo, his younger brother Milledge Bonham inherited the house. Milledge Bonham was a South Carolina State Legislator, a United States Representative, a Civil War general, and governor of South Carolina.

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The famous Bonhams are Saluda County natives and a proud part of this city’s history. The Bonham House was listed in the National Historic Register in 1974.

Special thanks to Larry Gleason of Aiken for providing these pictures to SCIWAY.

Travis and Bonham Memorial

SCIWAY — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:40:56 +0000

The Travis and Bonham Memorial stands proudly on the grounds of the Saluda County Courthouse. It honors heroes of the Alamo (and Saluda County natives!) William Barret Travis and James Butler Bonham.

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Holding a special place in US history, the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 is revered as an example of patriotism and sacrifice in the face of great odds. With an army of less than 200 men, Travis held the vastly more numerous Mexican troops at bay during a thirteen-day siege. All but two of the defenders perished in the ensuing onslaught, including a total of seven men from our state. Travis is known for his eloquent letter, To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World.

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James Butler Bonham was a lawyer in South Carolina before he moved to Texas. As the Battle of the Alamo raged, he broke through enemy lines to deliver letters asking for assistance. Even though he had escaped the danger, Bonham bravely decided to return to the Alamo to assist his second cousin, William Travis, with the defense of their makeshift fort.

Saluda is also home to the Bonham House, which is the birthplace of James Butler Bonham. The house still stands on the same grounds where Jacob Smith, his maternal grandfather, built it in 1780.

Many thanks to Larry Gleason of Aiken for providing these great pictures.

Saluda County Courthouse

SCIWAY — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:26:20 +0000

The Saluda County Courthouse is located in downtown Saluda and is home to several monuments celebrating this area’s history. Originally called Butler County, the county was renamed Saluda two days after its incorporation in honor of the river which forms its northern border. The word “saluda” comes from the Cherokee Indians and means “river of corn.”

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The Saluda town clock stands in front of the courthouse, along with the Bonham and Travis memorial which honors heroes of the Alamo (and Saluda County natives!) William Barret Travis and James Butler Bonham.

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Learn more about the Battle of the Alamo and Travis and Bonham’s brave feats.

SCIWAY thanks frequent contributor Larry Gleason of Aiken for submitting these pictures.

Ridge Spring

SCIWAY — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:20:37 +0000

The naturally raised ridge of the land in Saluda County is known as “The Ridge,” and like many areas in South Carolina, was originally inhabited by Native Americans before it was settled in the 1700s. In 1869, a railroad was built through the area accompanied by a water tower. Many settlers moved to be near the train stop and fresh spring water thus forming the town of Ridge Spring. Town folklore holds that the Native Americans chipped out the rocky basin into which the refreshing spring water flows.

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Early settlers found that peaches grew especially well in Ridge Spring’s fertile soil. Over the years farmers have successfully grown corn, asparagus, soybeans, and cotton in this rural farming area of Saluda County.

Ridge Spring was incorporated on December 23, 1882 and the town had a large centennial celebration during the fall of 1982. This celebration has now become tradition, and each October Ridge Spring holds a Harvest Festival.

SCIWAY thanks Larry Gleason of Aiken for submitting these pictures.

SC Heroes of the Alamo

SCIWAY — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:01:34 +0000

Holding a special place in US history, the Battle of the Alamo (1836) is revered as an example of patriotism and sacrifice in the face of great odds. With a contingent of less than 200 men, co-commander and South Carolinian William Barret Travis held the vastly more numerous Mexican troops at bay during a thirteen-day siege. All but two of the defenders perished in the ensuing onslaught, including a total of seven men from our state. Travis is known for his eloquent letter, To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World.

Read the SCIWAY News article, South Carolina’s Heroes of the Alamo.

Old Berry Store

SCIWAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:54:34 +0000

Saluda County is named after the Saluda River, which is the name chosen for this major river by the Cherokee Indians who inhabited the lands long ago. The name means a “river of corn.” Saluda County has a total land area that cover 451 square miles, and is conveniently located near Columbia and Greenville.

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Ann Helms of Spartanburg took this picture in 2010 while traveling along SC 702. She writes: “Old structures like this one may be found in every county in SC when driving along secondary roads. In the days before the interstate, small stores along the 2-lane flattop were essential for travelers. This one has ‘W.J. Berry’ still visible on the front.”

Saluda Town Clock

SCIWAY — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:54:34 +0000

The Saluda County Court House grounds are home to several monuments celebrating the area’s special history. Known first as Butler County, the county was renamed Saluda two days after its incorporation, in honor of the river which forms its northern border. The word “saluda” comes from the Cherokee Indians and means “river of corn.” The Saluda town clock stands in front of the court house.

The Travis and Bonham monument, which honors heroes of the Alamo (and Saluda County natives!) William Barret Travis and James Butler Bonham, stands on the grounds as well.

On the west side of the court house is a tablet detailing the Saluda Old Town Treaty. This document was signed in 1755 and stated that the Cherokee Indians must recognize the sovereignty of the King of England over all Cherokee lands in South Carolina.