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

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.

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.