North Myrtle Beach South Carolina
While North Myrtle Beach SC has beautiful sparkling beaches and breathtaking scenery, the communities and citizens of North Myrtle Beach are close and strong. Behind the many tourists who visit North Myrtle Beach each year, is a thriving community with open arms to welcome new residents to the area. Planned and sustainable growth will make for a community which will remain committed to strong character and increasing profitability.
The North Myrtle Beach area has a rich heritage and has come a long way in developing itself into a top tourist destination today. As both economic trends and the needs of the North Myrtle Beach area transform and change, you can be certain that the area’s heritage will remain just as important as the future growth of the North Myrtle Beach community.
While North Myrtle Beach has beautiful sparkling beaches and breathtaking scenery, the communities and citizens of North Myrtle Beach are close and strong. Behind the many tourists who visit North Myrtle Beach each year, is a thriving community with open arms to welcome new residents to the area.
As a new resident of North Myrtle Beach, you’ll enjoy the friendliness and hospitality of your neighbors who also live and work here. Even with all of the many exciting venues and attractions nearby, North Myrtle Beach moves at a slower pace and will truly give your family a peaceful environment to live.
North Myrtle Beach SC is consistently receiving awards for growth and quality of life. That is why we believe North Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to relocate your family. It is a perfect location to take a long walk on the beach, soak up the sun and scenery almost every day of the year and create memories which are full of life and meaning that will last a lifetime.
The cost of living according to the ACCRA composite index for the North Myrtle Beach area is 96.7, with 100 as the national average. There are over 20,000 dwelling units in North Myrtle Beach; and this number is expected to increase 15 percent over the next five years.
The median cost of a new home is $192,400; with the median monthly electric bill around $112. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $560. The median age of residents is 48 years, with more than 25 percent being college graduates. The median family income is $46,052 a year.
The North Myrtle Beach community is one of strength and character. It was originally inhabited by the Winyah and Waccamaw Indians. These Indians called the area “Chicora,” meaning “the land.” The Spanish were next to explore the North Myrtle Beach area as early as 1514, with Blackbeard’s pirates inhabiting the bays and inlets in the 1700s. The Cherry Grove Beach area used to house flourishing indigo plantations; however, due to insufficient means to reach the North Myrtle Beach area, most of the beach remained uninhabited until 1900 when the first railroad was created by the Burroughs & Chapin families. The county North Myrtle Beach is located in, Horry County, was named after a wealthy plantation owner and Revolutionary War General, Peter Horry.
The future economic development of the North Myrtle Beach area will include recruiting industries outside of the tourism industry with the main goal of establishing larger commercial businesses and quality young professionals to help run those businesses.
Source: North Myrtle Beach
Friday, July 27, 2007
North Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Indian Land South Carolina
Indian Land South Carolina
Indian Land SC is a fast-growing unincorporated area in the northern neck of Lancaster County, South Carolina (also called the Panhandle) just south of Ballantyne, Charlotte (in south Charlotte) and east of Fort Mill, SC. Its proximity to Ballantyne has enabled Indian Land to be a desirable place to live. It is also fast becoming a bedroom community of Charlotte, NC.
Centrally located along the northern border of South Carolina, Lancaster County is a prime location covering 549 square miles. A close knit community, Lancaster is virtually free of the hassles of metropolitan life, yet enjoys a close proximity to an abundance of big city business and cultural amenities.
The area is expanding immensely, with many housing developments (i.e. Bridgehampton, Legacy Park, Sun City Carolina Lakes), as well as corporate parks, being constructed.
Schools in Indian Land include Indian Land Elementary/Middle School and Indian Land High School. These schools were once not very strong, but since the recent mass movement of families to the area, Indian Land schools have seen rapid improvement. Indian Land High School recently won state recognition for being a "Red Carpet School".
U.S. Highway 521 and SC state road 160 are two major roads that run through Indian Land. With such busy roads bisecting this area, and major growth taking place now, there as been talk of Indian Land incorporating. However, incorporation would not happen for several years, according to the Fort Mill Times.
From the new, growing development of Legacy Park to the stately homes of the established Forest Hills community, the growing demand for housing has spawned a number of residential opportunities throughout the county. Numerous housing subdivisions offering friendly neighborhood settings can be found throughout the county. New patio-home and condominium developments offer cozy settings without the hassle of a lot of yard work.
An abundance of farmland provides the opportunity for anyone yearning to exercise a "green thumb." If you prefer luxury or resort housing, Lancaster County offers homes near a number of fine golf courses or at a country club - perfect spots for those who prefer the amenities associated with resort life.
Nearby super centers and grocery stores are moments away for all your family's necessities. Several specialty boutiques and department stores also make Lancaster County their home. And, no matter where you are in the county, the shopping mecca of Charlotte is a short drive. Here, South Park Mall offers distinctive shopping including large department stores like Belk and Dillards along with hundreds of small retail shops. Carolina Place Mall and Eastland Mall are other large shopping venues.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
SC Newspapers
SC Newspapers - All The News From South Carolina
Abbeville
The Press & Banner
864-459-5461
Aiken
Aiken Standard
803-648-2311
Allendale
Allendale County Citizen Leader
803.259.3501
Anderson
The Independent-Mail
800.859.6397
Bamberg
Advertizer Herald, North Trade Journal
803.245.5204
Barnwell
The People-Sentinel
803.259.3501
Batesburg
The Twin City News
803.532.6203
Beaufort
Beaufort Gazette
843.986.5530
Belton
Belton & Honea Path News-Chronicle
864.338.6124
Bennettsville
Marlboro Herald Advocate
843.479.3815 800.684.0346
Bishopville
Lee County Observer
803.484.9431
Blacksburg
Blacksburg Tribune
864.839.2621
Camden
Chronicle-Independent
803.432.6157
Chapin
The Chapin Times
803.345.2033
Charleston
The Moultrie News
843.849.1778
Charleston
The Post & Courier
843.577.7111
Cheraw
The Cheraw Chronicle
843.537.5261
Chester
The News & Reporter
803.385.3177
Clemson
The Messenger
864.882.3515
Chesnee
Chesnee Tribune
864.461.2815
Clinton
The Clinton Chronicle
864.833.1900
Clover
The Clover Herald
803.684.9903
Columbia
The Free Times
803.765.0707
Columbia
Columbia Star
803.771.0219
Columbia
The State
803.771.8380
Conway
The Horry Independent
843.248.6671
Cowpens
Cowpens-Pacolet Tribune
864.463.4609
Darlington
News and Press
843.393.3811
Dillon
The Dillon Herald
843.774.3311
Easley
The Easley Progress & Monitor
864.855.0355
Edgefield
The Edgefield Advertiser
803.637.3540
Edgefield
The Citizen News
803.637.5306
Elloree
The Elloree Dispatch
803.897.1189
Florence
Florence Morning News
843.317.6397
Fort Mill
The Fort Mill Times
803.547.2353
Gaffney
The Gaffney Ledger
864.489.1131
Georgetown
The Georgetown Times
843.546.4148
Goose Creek
The Goose Creek Gazette
843.572.0511
Greenville
The Greenville News
864.298.4110, 800.736.7136
Greenwood
The Index-Journal
864.223.1411
Greer
The Greer Citizen
864.877.2076
Hampton
Hampton County Guardian
803.943.4645
Hartsville
The Messenger
843.332.6545
Hemingway
The Weekly Observer
843.558.3323
Hilton Head Island
The Island Packet
843.706.8222
Holly Hill
The Holly Hill Observer
803.496.3242
Honea Path
Belton & Honea Path News-Chronicle
864.338.6124
Inman
The Inman Times
864.472.9548
Kershaw
The Kershaw News-Era
803.475.6095
Kingstree
The News
843.355.6397
Lake City
Lake City News & Post
843.394.3571
Lancaster
The Lancaster News 800.844.9344 ext. 223
Landrum
The News Leader
864.457.3337
Laurens
The Laurens County Advertiser
864.984.2586
Lexington
The Chronicle & Dispatch-News
803.359.7633
Liberty
The Liberty Monitor
864.855.0355
Manning
The Manning Times
803.435.8422
Marion-Mullins
Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise
843.423.2050
McCormick
The McCormick Messenger
864.465.3311
Moncks Corner
Berkeley Independent
843.761.6397
Myrtle Beach
The Sun News
843.626.8555
The Sun News
Myrtle Beach (North Myrtle Beach)
The Times
843.249.3525
Newberry
The Newberry Observer
803.276.0625
North Augusta
The Star
803.279.2793
Orangeburg
The Times and Democrat
803.534.5500
Pawleys Island
Coastal Observer
843.237.
8438
Pickens
The Pickens Sentinel
864.878.2453
Ridgeland
Jasper County Sun & Hardeeville Times
843.726.6161
Rock Hill
The Herald
803.329.4060
Saluda
Saluda Standard-Sentinel
864.445.2527
Seneca
The Daily Journal
864.882.2375
Simpsonville
Tribune Times
864.967.9580
Spartanburg
The Herald-Journal
864.582.8558 800.922.4158
St. George
Eagle-Record
843.563.3121
St. Matthews
The Calhoun Times
803.874.3137
Summerville
Summerville Communications
843.873.9424
Sumter
The Item
803.775.6331
Union
The Union Daily Times
864.427.1234
Walhalla
Keowee Courier
864.638.5856
Walterboro
The Press & Standard
843.549.2586
Ware Shoals
The Observer
864.456.7772
Westminster
Westminster News
864.647.5404
Williamston
The Journal, Inc.
864.847.7361
Winnsboro
The Herald-Independent
803.635.4016
Woodruff
The Woodruff News
864.476.3513
York
Yorkville Enquirer
803.684.9903
Charleston SC Housing
Charleston SC Housing
With 26 incorporated communities, residential areas in the Charleston region range from the quaint village of Jamestown (pop. 100) to the vibrant, cosmopolitan cities of Charleston and North Charleston (pop. 105,000 and 84,000 respectively).
The growing demand for housing has spawned a number of new residential opportunities throughout the region - from the barrier islands along the Atlantic shoreline to multi-acre tracts further inland.
In 2005, the median selling price for an existing home in the region was $187,995 (with an average selling price of approximately $278,461). However, housing costs vary greatly by community.
The Charleston region also has a large number of apartment rental options. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom, two-bath unfurnished apartment is $882.
Charleston SC real estate prices accelerated by an average of 14.78% in 2005 to $211,000 for the median priced residential home. The median home price for Charleston SC real estate in 2004 was $184,000.
Affordable homes are found all over the Greater Charleston area. Families looking for their first home or couples looking for a smaller home may want to look in places like Hanahan, North Charleston and Summerville. Many new homes communities are there that cater to those looking for smaller homes. Those who want to indulge in luxury resort-style living will find many opportunites for a laid-back beach lifestyle in places like Isle of Palms, Kiawah and Seabrook.
Find A Charleston SC Real Estate Agent
Thursday, July 19, 2007
South Carolina Homes - A Buyers Market
South Carolina Homes - A Buyers Market
Home sales post another drop in June
Bubble or no bubble, it's become a buyer's market in the local housing industry.
And while the slowdown carried through the all-important spring season, purchasers may find some good deals if sellers start reducing prices, industry experts said.
Home sales in June slid again to 1,187 transactions, an 18 percent drop compared to same month in 2006, according to the latest figures from Charleston Trident Association of Realtors' Multiple Listing Service.
June home sales peaked in 2005, when 1,574 properties changed hands.
Meanwhile, the median sales price rose 8 percent last month to $224,950 compared to the year-earlier period. That marked a turnaround from a rare slight decline recorded in May.
The region's housing market has been cooling off for more than a year. One reason is that mortgage lenders have become more cautious. But other economic and even political factors also have come into play, said Fudgy Brabham, broker-in-charge of Harbourtowne Real Estate Inc.
"I sense that ... there are a lot of people who are still timid and unsure of where we are, given our international situation, oil and jobs," Brabham said.
At the same time, the number of homes on the market has snowballed to more than 10,500 listings. In 2004 and 2005, there were about 4,000 homes on the market at any given time.
Buyers remain hesitant, industry observers said. The growing supply of homes, combined with the reluctance by many sellers to drop their prices, has kept some potential purchasers from committing to a property.
While the slower market can be agonizing for sellers, it's creating opportunities for homeowners to trade up, Brabham said. First-time buyers have an added advantage: They don't have to worry about selling a home.
"We've seen homes that have sold in areas where, traditionally, they close at $185 per square foot, and current sales are at $162 per square foot," Brabham said. "When those sales become recorded, those will become the new (pricing standards)."
The trend could send a message to sellers that they might want to reconsider their asking prices, he said.
Sellers of existing homes also are contending with new-home builders. Randy Mescher, an agent with Prudential Carolina Real Estate, noted that the competition for entry-level buyers has heated up, especially in the Summerville area.
Builders have been discounting new residences and throwing in various incentives, such as free upgrades, to seal deals, he said.
"They certainly have an advantage over a resale house in that respect," Mescher said.
Source: Katy Stech
Find A SC Real Estate Agent
Charleston, SC Points of Interest
Charleston, SC Points of Interest
There are lots of great things to do in historic Charleston SC>.From ghost houses, museums, gardens and zoo's. You will always have something fun to do
Plantations, Parks, Gardens
Audubon Swamp Garden-The unique and lovely Audubon Swamp Garden, located on the grounds of Magnolia Plantation, encompasses 60 acres of black water cypress and tupelo swamp. Accessible by boardwalks and dikes, this wild and natural area has been called the "most important new botanical planting in North America by Derek Fell, America's leading garden critic, photographer and writer. Lowcountry wildlife (herons, egrets, alligators, anhingas, wood ducks, otters) are commonly spotted; binoculars are provided.
Open Daily: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Ten miles from downtown on Hwy 61.
Telephone: (843) 571-1266
Boone Hall Plantation-A magnificent estate of 738 acres. A highlight of the plantation is the majestic avenue of live oaks planted in 1743 by Captain Thomas Boone. The plantation mansion I of Georgian architecture. Original plantation buildings include nine 18th century slave cabins and the gin house used for processing cotton. Used so extensively in motion picture and television filming, as well as in worldwide publications, it has become known as "America's Most Photographed Plantation".
Open Daily: Day after Labor day through march 31st, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Location: 6 Miles north of Charleston on US Hwy. 17 North, Charleston
Telephone: (843) 884-4371
Charles Towne Landing-This is where South Carolina was born. The site of the first permanent English settlement in the state. Today it is preserved as a national treasure. This Is a one of a kind state park filled with history and natural pride. Climb aboard the commemorative sailing ship Adventure, explore eighty acres of lush gardens, or stroll through the winding trails of our Animal Forest, a natural habitat zoo.
Location: 1500 Old Town Road, Hwy. 171 Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 852-4200
Cypress Gardens - Cypress Gardens was created by owner Benjamin R. Kittredge in the late 1920's. Early one spring, as the story goes, Mr. Kittredge saw a red maple reflecting in the black water swamp. From this inspiration, "he created the beauty of this surrounding Cypress Gardens." Since then, the colorful Gardens have thrilled thousands each spring reflecting a profusion of azaleas, dogwoods, daffodils and wisteria in the mirror-like inky waters. Wildlife abounds at Cypress Gardens. Outdoor enthusiasts and birdwatchers as well as hikers will particularly enjoy the two rambling nature trails in isolated areas of the swamp. Here visitors can share the swamp with alligators, pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks, otter, barred owls and the other abundant species that inhabit the swamp year round.
Location: 3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Telephone: (843) 553-0515
Drayton Hall - Built between 1738 and 1742, Drayton Hall is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in America. Through seven generations of Drayton ownership, this National Historic Landmark has remained in nearly original condition and is the only Ashley River plantation house to survive the Civil War intact. Its unique state of preservation and rich, hand-crafted detail offer visitors a rare glimpse of a bygone Southern way of life.
Location: 3880 Ashley River Road, 9 miles northwest of downtown Charleston on the historic Ashley River Road (S.C. Route 61.)
Open to the public daily: Tours on the hour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., March through October; 10 a.m. to 3 p/m/, November through February.
Magnolia Plantation and Garden-A 300 year old ancestral home of South Carolina's illustrious Drayton family, ten generations utilizing it since the 1670's. Internationally famous, and open to the public for over a century, it is credited as America's oldest man-made attraction. Begun in the 1680's as a plantation estate garden, it is also America's oldest major garden. Scores of experts have described its 50 acres of lawn and gardens as the world's most beautiful.
Location: 10 miles from downtown Charleston, SC on Hwy 61.
Telephone: (843) 571-1266
Middleton Place - America's oldest landscaped gardens, celebrating 250 years. Middleton Place is a carefully preserved 18th century plantation that encompasses America's oldest landscaped gardens, the Middleton Place House, and the Plantation Stableyards.
Location: Ashley River Road (Hwy. 61), 14 miles northwest of Charleston.
Open Daily: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Charleston SC Museums
The Charleston Museum - The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773, is the first and oldest museum in America. The museum's collections preserve and interpret the social and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina coastal region. Objects from natural history science, cultural history, historical archaeology, ornithology and ethnology departments are presented to illustrate the important contribution each had to the history of this area.
Location: 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Telephone: (843) 722-2996
Museum Hours: Open Daily Mon-Sat 9-5, Sunday 1-5
Civil War Museum - See Charleston's largest collection of civil war long arms, cavalry saddles, and excavated Confederate artifacts. Other exhibits include Civil War uniforms, swords, pistols, artillery projectile, and flags. The museum also includes Charleston's largest gallery of authentic Civil War antiques offered for sale.
Open: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Location: Sumter Military Museum Antiques and Museum, 54 Broad Street, Charleston
Telephone: (843) 577-7766
Gibbes Museum of Art - One of the finest collections of American art in the Southeast. The collection is comprised of views of Charleston, portraits of notable South Carolinians, paintings, prints and drawings from the 18th century to the present.
Open: Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. & Mon. 1 - 5 p.m.
Location: 135 Meeting Street, Charleston
Telephone: (843) 722-2706
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum - Visit the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown, World War II's Famous "Fighting Lady", submarine Clamagore, destroyer Laffey, coast guard cutter Ingham, and 20 Vintage military aircraft.
Open Daily
Location: Charleston Harbor, Mt. Pleasant side of Cooper River Bridge
Telephone: (843) 884-2727
Berkeley Museum
From the Cherokee Path, to the nation's first true canal, Berkeley County has long been a crossroads in American history.
Charleston SC Historic Houses and Buildings
Calhoun Mansion-This Victorian Baronial Manor House was built by George Walton Williams, a wealthy merchant and banker., following the Civil War. (circa 1876). The mansion is 24,000 square feet and has 14-foot ceilings, ornate plaster, wood mouldings, elaborate chandeliers, a stairwell that reaches to a 75-foot domed ceiling, as well as a ballroom with a coved glass skylight that is 45 feet high. Used as the "Hazard" house in the mini-series "North and South."
Open: Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed in January.
Location: 16 Meeting Street in Downtown Charleston
Telephone: (843) 722-8205
The Charleston Museum Houses
Edmondston-Alston House - The stately Edmondston-Alston House on Charleston's High Battery is one of the city's most splendid dwellings, a gracious example of early nineteenth century commitment to elegance, style and comfort.
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:40 p.m., Sunday and Monday , 1:30 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Location:21 East Battery in Downtown Charleston
Telephone: (843) 556-6020
Nathaniel Russell House-Since the early 1800's, visitors have admired the townhouse of Nathaniel and Sarah Russell, completed in 1808. Set amid spacious gardens, the "mansion-house" is recognized as one of America's most important neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interiors with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are about the most exuberant ever created in early America. Furnished with period antiques and works of art, many of Charleston origin, the house evokes the gracious life-style of the city's merchant elite.
Admission Tickets: Available at the site, and the Edmunds Preservation Center at 108 Meeting Street. Combination ticket available with the Edmondston-Alston House Museum Located at: 21 East Battery, Charleston Pre-school children free. Group Discounts available for groups of 12 or more. Guided Tours Daily:Monday-Saturday from 10-5 P.M.: Sunday from 2-5 P.M.
For more information contact: Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Telephone: (843) 724-8481
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon - Over 300 years of pirates, presidents, patriots and preservation make the Olde Exchange and Provost Dungeon one of the most historic places you'll see on your visit to Charleston. Charleston's first customs house and exchange was built by the British in 1771.
Open: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: 122 East Bay Street at Broad Street, Charleston
Telephone: (843) 727-2165
Charleston SC Tours
Original Charleston Walks
From Civil War to Historic Homes, this is a fascinating way to learn about historic Charleston. Charleston is a city which uniquely lends herself to walking for both locals and visitors. The Original Charleston Walks was established with this idea in mind, and our firm is inspired by the belief that to properly experience Charleston you must see it up close, at an easy pace, and with a knowledgeable guide. Tours daily year-round 2 Hours - 1.5 Miles
Charleston SC Ghost Walk Tour
The Ghosts and Legends of Charleston
Join us on Charleston's original year-round ghost walk for a brief encounter with Charleston's most haunting legends and folk tales. Our tour is filled with stories of resident ghosts, haunted inns, Gullah superstitions and assorted other ghost stories from Charleston's haunted history. Tours daily year-round 1.5 Hours - 1.25 Miles
Fort Sumter Tours-This is the only tour stopping at Fort Sumter for visitation. You'll enjoy a relaxing boar ride through Charleston harbor on your way to the fort. Once there, National Park Service Rangers will answer your questions. Tour lasts 2 1/4 hours. Boats leave daily from the City marina and Patriots.
For more information call (843) 722-1691.
Greyline Water Tour-Harbor of History Tour- Aboard the Charles Towne Princess, enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner and experience the charm and excitement of old Charleston and her historic harbor while touring the 85 points of interest. The Harborlites Cruise offers a full dinner buffet and reservations are required. All tours depart at the City Marina
Departures: Daily 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.(No Reservations Required)
Evening Harborlites Cruise - 7:00 p.m. (Reservations Required)
Location: 17 Lockwood Drive, Charleston, SC
Telephone: 800/344-4483
Harbor and Naval Base Tour- This relaxing and informative nonstop tour provides you with a waterside view of Charleston. You'll cruise by historic battery homes, the Ports terminals, and Fort Sumter; under the Cooper River Bridges; and up to the huge U.S. Naval Base. The lasts 2 hours.
Open: Daily
Location: Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant
Telephone: (843) 722-1691
The Schooner Pride-The PRIDE is an 84-foot, true three-masted topsail schooner. Passengers are encouraged to help out with the sailing or just sit back and enjoy the historic harbor and wildlife as she silently slips through the waters. Patrons agree that the two-hour afternoon or sunset cruise is the most exciting, yet relaxing experience in Charleston.
Open: Daily, Please call for weekly schedule and reservations.
Location: Ripley Light Marina at Ashley Pointe Drive (next to California Dreaming)
Telephone: (843) 795-1180
Charleston Carriage Tours-Several companies in the area provide horse drawn carriage tours of historic Charleston. All carriages leave from the Market in the area bordered by Anson and Church Streets.
See all information at source: Charleston Points of interest
Find A Charleston SC Real Estate Agent
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Aiken South Carolina
Aiken South Carolina
It is often said that “you can’t have it all,” but whoever first uttered those words obviously had never been to Aiken, South Carolina. We are home to smiling faces and beautiful places. Come and see an area where you CAN have it all. . . and perhaps more than you expected. You will find a diverse selection of cultural events, concerts and productions taking place in Aiken County during the year. Productions and concerts are presented at USC Aiken’s Etheridge Center on the campus of the university. The Aiken Community Playhouse located in their new facility in downtown Aiken has several productions during the year. Every summer there are concerts and events at Hopeland Gardens during their Summer Concert Series.
With Aiken SC rich heritage, quaint towns and pristine beauty balanced by numerous exciting activities and a cosmopolitan flair, Aiken offers something for everyone in a friendly, accommodating and attractive setting.
With equestrian sports, year-round recreational sports, history, the arts, shopping, hiking, fishing and a host of other ventures available, there is something that will appeal to all age groups. The old and new blend perfectly to provide an atmosphere that suits almost any taste – from families to young adults and retirees.
Aiken County History
The Cofachiqui Meet DeSoto
Hernando DeSoto crossed the Savannah River in 1539 at Point Comfort, just West of the Savannah River Site. The Cofachiqui welcomed DeSoto and his men, but tension spread when the newcomers found no silver. They took their frustrations out on the natives, robbing them and their burial grounds. As one particular grave was unearthed, DeSoto found the remains of his brother, Ayllon. The furious Spaniard kidnapped Queen Cacique and fled with 14 bushels of freshwater pearls.
Colonists Arrive in Savanna Town
Savanna Town prospered in 1685 with the arrival of English Colonists. Savanno/Savanna Town (present day Beech Island) was the most important Indian trade center in South Carolina. Furs were exchanged for European goods that were shipped up the Westobou River (Savannah River) from Charleston. Indian nations in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina carved trails leading to this post. In 1716, Fort Moore was erected providing protection for the western entrance of South Carolina and the Indian Trade business.
Hamburg To Charleston
In 1832, the world’s longest steam engine railway was completed. It spanned 136 miles, from Hamburg (North Augusta) to Charleston, following the same trading paths as the Creek/Chickasaw Indians. It became the “Best Friend” because of its usefulness in the exploration of cotton, flour, and tobacco.
Battle of Aiken, Civil War
The Confederate Army claimed one of its last victories at the battle of Aiken on February 11, 1865. The victory spared the South’s first cotton mill and the historic cities of Aiken and North Augusta. After the end of war, on March 10, 1871, sections of Orangeburg, Lexington, Edgefield, and Barnwell Counties were consolidated to form Aiken County.
Winter Colony is a Great Escape
At the turn of the century, people of great wealth in the Northern United States and Canada flocked to Aiken County to escape bitter winters. The area quickly became known as the “Winter Colony”. Polo, fox hunting, and horse racing became a vital part of Aiken County history and still reigns today.
Department of Energy
In the 1950’s, the entire towns of Ellenton and Dunbarton were literally moved to make way for the Savannah River Site, a plutonium producing nuclear weapons facility. A permanent exhibit at the Aiken County Historical Museums features the event.
Aiken
Aiken earned its reputation during the first hundred years as “a place for a splendid time to be had”. Those words reign true today. Once a summer retreat for Charlestonians escaping the threat of malaria, it became home to a Winter Colony as word spread North during the late 1800’s. The grand health resort had the perfect climate and a healing combination of warm dry air scented with pine and spring water. Wealthy horse enthusiasts brought their animals for pleasure. Grandiose cottages and stables were built and survive today with no signs of wear. Polo is played on Sunday afternoons just the same as it has been since 1882. Aiken is a place existing with the exact ambiance it had two hundred years ago. Unique shopping and dining establishments complete an old-fashioned theme. Amidst the downtown is a great example of land preservation: Hitchcock Woods, America’s largest urban forest with over 2100 acres.
Beech Island, Silver Bluff, and Jackson
In 1685 settlement of Savanna Towns, name came from a Shawnee tribe, the Savanna Indians. This was an important trade center and “jumping-off” point to the Western wilderness. European goods, arriving in Charleston, were sent to Savanna town via the Westobou River (Savannah River). Fort Moore was built in 1716 for mercantile protection and to guard the Western entrance of the colony. In 1760, Irishman George Galphin built a trading post upon the Cofachiqui Indian site. It was used as Fort Gaphlin during the Revolutionary War. In 1856, the Beech Island agricultural Club was organized and is one of the oldest surviving societies in the state today. The area was originally named Beech Highland for the Beech trees on the high terrain.
Graniteville
In 1845, William Gregg founded a village and a manufacturing company, the South’s first cotton mill. Built of local blue granite, the Graniteville Manufacturing Co. operates today as Avondale Mill. Mr. J. W. Reardon, a former employee known as “The Grand Ole Man” holds the world record for the longest continuous employment in one company, 87 years! Gregg had 40 “Blue Row” homes built, some still standing, were built for employees. Vaucluse, named by French Huguenots was originally a camp and hunting grounds for the Westos Indians. Vaucluse Mill, cornerstone dating 1832, is where William Gregg began his mill industries. The Vaucluse Historic District is listed in the National Register and is wonderfully preserved mill village.
North Augusta
Two towns preceded North Augusta: Campbell Town (1770) and Hamburg (1827). In 1890, James U. Jackson purchased more than 5,000 acres for $100K. Jackson, born and raised in Augusta, GA., dreamed of a town on the opposite side of the Savannah River. In 1902, he built a flamboyant resort, the Hampton Terrace Hotel. The motion picture industry was attracted to the area and the hotel was convenient and upscale. The locals did not want to ruin their resort by allowing a Hollywood studio there. The hotel burned in 1917 and was not rebuilt. North Augusta is filled with beautiful antebellum homes of that era and boasts one of the state’s most challenging golf courses along the banks of the Savannah River.
Couchton
Couchton was the site of Civil War Prison Camp Butler. The name came from Mr. Walter Couch, a housing developer of the early 1950’s. The community os located on Hwy. 302.
Monetta
Monetta is located at the junction of and ancient Southern Cherokee Path and the Occaneechi Trail. Legend tells of a Chief’s daughter, Monetta, as being buried in the center of town, where the old railroad depot stood. Monetta is divided between Saluda and Aiken Counties. During the 1920’s and 30’s, it was the asparagus center of the world. Today, peach fields surround the quaint town.
Eureka
Eureka was first known as Seigler’s Crossing. A school teacher came up with the new name, Eureka. Another teacher, in 1910, Marie Samuella Cromer, began the Girls Tomato Club because females were not allowed in the Boy’s Corn Club. Starting with 46 members, the Girl’s Tomato Club grew to 25,000 members nationwide in less than two years. Today, the club is known as the 4-H Club.
Montmorenci
Cyril Pascalis, a civil engineer, built his home at Johnson’s Turnout in 1832, which was used for the Union headquarters during the Battle of Aiken. A winery has replaced the fields where asparagus once grew abundantly. Many locals and visitors know the tale of the ghost of a little girl at Annie’s Inn, a local Bed and Breakfast. This home served as a hideout for Confederate soldiers in the Civil War.
New Ellenton
New Ellenton has a unique and sentimental history. The people of Ellenton learned in the early 1950’s that their town would be displaced by a massive nuclear weapons complex. The United States Government bought 200,000 acres of land in Aiken and Barnwell Counties for $19 million and built facilities to generate nuclear components for the hydrogen bomb. It was common to see homes, churches or stores traveling down the road on the back of a truck. The Atomic City Festival began in 1972 in remembrance of the 6,000 people whose town was displaced in order to provide national security.
Perry
Perry was established on land was owned by John Martin Salley. Salley met John A. Wagener and Benjamin F. Perry while stationed in Charleston during the Civil War. Perry had been a strong Unionist and established on of the last Union newspapers in Greenville. When South Carolina succeeded for the Union, Perry remained loyal to his home state, placing his faith in the Confederate States. He served as Provisional Governor for six months. He and Wagener were both instrumental in bringing the railroad through Perry. The town was originally known as Wagener. When present-day Wagener was officially given its name in 1888, the original Wagener changed its name to Perry. The Perry Depot is one of the original depots of the railroad built in 1888.
Salley
Henry Salley, John Corbitt Sr. and Jr. were responsible for getting a charter in 1735 to provide a buffer between Charles Towne and inland Cherokee Indians. In 1887, Capt. D. H. Salley fought for the renaming of the town from John Town to Salley after the Civil War. Over 200 men and boys served in the Civil War from the area. There are over 70 Confederate graves there and at least on common grave with 17 Tories (the exact location is unknown.) Just 12 miles from town are 128 more Confederate graves. Salley suffered through Sherman’s March, but through determined family ties, their proud heritage will not be forgotten. Salley has less than 500 residents and 260 years of history. Surviving homes date to 1827. It is also known worldwide as the Home of the Chitlin’ Strut, held each Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Wagener
Wagener was known as Pinder Town and later as Gunter’s Cross Roads (Guntersville), after a large number of North Carolinian settlers named “Gunter”. These men helped make up Company I of the 20th SC Infantry, which was part of Kershaw’s Brigade during the Civil War. The town was renamed after George Wagener, a cotton merchant who was active in bringing the railroad to town. In the 1920’s and 30’s, asparagus and cotton were very successful products of the area. Railroad beds have been replaced by a town park.
White Pond and Windsor
New Windsor consisted of 11 townships set up on South Carolina by Royal Governor Johnson in the 1730’s. It incorporated all of the present day Aiken County. Named after Windsor Castle, a home of the British Monarchy, the town of Windsor was established in the 1700’s. Windsor flourished until the financial bank collapsed in 1929, during the depression. Later in the 40’s when the Savannah River site came into play, residents didn’t want to sell their property so developers moved on to other locations to build home sites for employees of the nuclear facility.
Source: Aiken County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
The City of Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile crescent of beach on South Carolina's northern coast. Myrtle Beach SC is a great place to live, work and play, as the 22,579 full-time residents will confirm. What makes Myrtle Beach city so inviting? Here's a short list.... Three recreation centers have been expanded or renovated recently. New roads have been built with attractive landscaping and underground utilities. The cultural arts are being reborn throughout the community. Myrtle Beach local business climate offers a wealth of entertainment, dining and shopping options.
Myrtle Beach SC also has nine-and-a-half miles of public beach, a municipal golf course, a convention center, the only city-owned public library in the state, and a baseball stadium. But we can always use your input to help make our community even better.
Myrtle Beach was incorporated as a town in 1938 and became a city in 1957. Its name comes from the wax myrtle, a shrub that grows abundantly in the area. Our 25,000 permanent residents welcome millions of visitors to this full-service resort community. Guests come to enjoy the wide beaches, the Atlantic Ocean, and an incredible range of activities, entertainment, golf, shopping and dining.
History records that the first tourists here were a party of Spaniards from Hispaniola, who landed about 50 miles north of present-day Myrtle Beach in 1526 and eventually established the first European settlement in the U.S. about 30 miles to the south. That settlement, San Miguel de Cauldape, was abandoned the following year, though, and the group returned to Hispaniola.
In the next three centuries, the region's population grew, but slowly. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people began to "vacation" here, although it was quite rustic. Houses and camps were sparse, and there were only few permanent residents at the turn of the century. But, drawn by the ocean, sand and trees, people began to call Myrtle Beach "home" as the 1900s progressed.
Today, Myrtle Beach SC is a well known destination for vacationers from around the country, Canada and abroad. According to the 2000 Census, the city is at the heart of the 13th fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
South Carolina Webcams
SC Webcams...Have A look
Erskine College - Due West - 5 campus cameras Erskine College
Belk Hall - view looking toward Mall area
The Circle
Moffatt Dining Hall
Moultrie - Moss Building - construction
The Quadrangle - view from the Grier Statue
Aiken SC
University of South Carolina Aiken - Quad
Anderson SC
Anderson Skycam
Traffic Cameras
Blackville Hilda Public School
Beaufort SC
Traffic Cameras
Charleston SC
Burke High School - school year only
The Citadel - Law Barracks overlooking Summerall Field
Cooper River Bridge
Fire Department of Sullivan's Island
Folly Beach SC
Atlantic Ocean
City Hall
The Clouds Break - great surfing spot–
Morris Lighthouse - 360° surf cam–
Ocean View
Snapper Jack's
The Washout - Folly Beach
James Island SC
James Island Charter High School
James Island Yacht Club - Charleston Harbor
Johnson's Pub
Music Farm
Pier SurfCam - Isle of Palms
Pour House
Purple Tree Ultra Lounge
Windjammer - Isle of Palms - beach, bar, and band cams
Clemson SC
Clemson University - 10 campus cameras
Columbia SC
Riverbanks Zoo
South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate
Traffic Cameras
University of South Carolina SC
Coker Life Sciences Building
Department of Biological Sciences
Roach Camera
WIS-TV 10 Sky Cam
WIS-TV 10 Lake Murray SCANA Cam
Edisto Beach SC
Town of Edisto Beach
Florence SC
Traffic Cameras - SCDOT
Georgetown SC
USC's Baruch Marine Laboratory - view of North Inlet
Greenville SC
Bob Jones University
Carolina Channel Skycams - WYFF - News 4–
Hilton Greenville
Furman University SC
Theatre Department
Theatre Scene Shop
Traffic Cameras
Hilton Head Island SC
Coligny Beach - view from roof of Holiday Inn Oceanfront Hotel
Salty Dog Cafe - choose from four cams
Myrtle Beach NC
Avista Resort -
North Myrtle Beach SC
Beach Cove Resort
Blackmoor Golf Club - Murrells Inlet - click Launch 18th Hole Web Cam
Crown Reef Resort
Grande Shores Ocean Resort
Harbourgate Marina
Hard Rock Park
Holiday Inn Coquina Harbor -
North Myrtle Beach SC
Myrtle Beach - Grand Strand
Plantation Pancake House - Surfside Beach
Springmaid Beach Pier - click Live Beach Pier Cam
Traffic Cameras - SCDOT -
Woodhaven Pancake House
Pawleys Island SC
Pawleys Island Pier
Rock Hill SC
Traffic Cameras - SCDOT
York Technical College
Spartanburg SC
Spartanburg Skycam
Traffic Cameras - SCDOT
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Famous People from South Carolina
Famous People from South Carolina
* Bill Anderson, born James William Anderson III on November 1, 1937 in Columbia; an American country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill." Arguably his biggest hit was the 1963 single "Still."
* Pink Anderson (born Feb 12, 1900 in Laurens; died Oct 12, 1974), blues singer and guitarist; inspired the "Pink" in Pink Floyd.
* Charlotta Bass (born in Sumter), a newspaper publisher in Los Angeles, California, and the first African-American woman on a Presidential campaign ticket in 1952
* Shelton Benjamin (1976—), born and raised in Orangeburg, he is a professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler now working for World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW brand.
* Ben Bernanke (1953—), graduated from high school in Dillon in 1971. On October 24, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Bernanke to succeed Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Greenspan retired on January 31, 2006 after 18 years as chairman.
* J Anthony Brown, Actor, comedian and radio personality from Columbia.
* James Brown (born May 4, 1933 in Barnwell Died Dec 25, 2006). The "Godfather of Soul," legendary singer and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
* James F. Byrnes (May 2, 1879 – April 9, 1972), born in Charleston, Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, also served as Governor of South Carolina and as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Time Magazine's Person of the Year 1947.
* Reid Buckley, author, debater, brother of William F. Buckley Jr.. Lives in Camden
* John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), born near Abbeville, a statesman and political philosopher. From 1811 until his death, Calhoun served in the federal government successively as congressman, secretary of war, vice president, senator, secretary of state and again as senator.
* Harry Carson, American football player, (born November 26, 1953), inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 5, 2006.
* Wilson Casey (1954—), born in Woodruff. Casey is a Trivia Guinness World Record Holder and a nationally syndicated newspaper trivia columnist who appeared as a contestant on NBC's "The Weakest Link".
* Wayne A. Cauthen (1955—), born in Lancaster. First African-American appointed City Manager of Kansas City, MO .
* Charlamagne Tha God-Co-Host of the nationally syndicated radio show "The Wendy Williams Experience" also co host of the "The Wendy Williams Experience" on Vh1.
* Chubby Checker, singer, born Ernest Evans in Spring Gulley.
* Stephen Euin Cobb, author, futurist and host of the award-winning podcast The Future And You, born in Orangeburg on February 3, 1955.
* Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central since 2005; previously a correspondent for Comedy Centrals The Daily Show. A native of Charleston, he attended Porter Gaud School.
* Pat Conroy, novelist, grew up in Beaufort, attended Beaufort High School and The Citadel in Charleston. He taught school in Beaufort and on remote Daufuskie Island near Hilton Head. All his novels have been set in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Conroy now lives on Fripp Island.
* Angell Conwell (1983-) an actress born in Orangeburg and raised in Columbia
* Reverend Gary Davis (Apr 30, 1896 - May 5, 1972), blues and gospel songwriter and innovative guitarist, born in Clinton.
* Kristin Davis, actress, best known for role as Charlotte York in Sex and the City.
* Harold Denton, nuclear physisist, best known for his role in the "Three Mile Island accident"
* Andy Dick, born in Charleston, actor and comedian best known for his roles on TV sitcoms, including NewsRadio and Less Than Perfect, as well as appearing on numerous comedy programs such as the Comedy Central Roasts
* Larry Doby, only the second African-American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues, born in Camden
* Lilian Ellison (born July 22, 1923) a female professional wrestler better known as the Fabulous Moolah. She is a former WWF/WWE Women's World Champion. She is from Columbia.
* Joe Frazier, 1964 Olympic heavyweight champion and the world heavyweight champ 1970-73; fought Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title three times. He is most remembered for the fight at Madison Square Garden in March 1971, where he defeated Ali to become the undisputed heavyweight champ. Frazier was born in Beaufort on January 12, 1944.
* David Gaillard, engineer of the central portion of the Panama Canal, after which the main cut is named; born in Manning. He died of a brain tumor before the work was finished.
* Kevin Garnett (nicknamed "The Big Ticket"), an NBA basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves; born and raised in Mauldin.
* Leeza Gibbons of Entertainment Tonight and other Hollywood news shows grew up in Irmo, a suburb of Columbia.
* Althea Gibson (1927-2003), the first black female player to win the Wimbledon singles tennis title, was born in Silver.
* William Gibson, author and credited as the father of the Cyberpunk genre of science fiction, was born in Conway on March 17, 1948.
* Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993), John Birks 'Dizzy' Gillespie, considered by some to be the greatest jazz trumpeter of all time, was born in Cheraw.
* Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), President of the United States; born near Lancaster but emigrated to Tennessee as an adult. He was the hero of the Battle of New Orleans and 7th President, from 1829 to 1837.
* Jesse Jackson, famous political and social figure, originally from Greenville.
* 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson (1887–1951). Considered to be one of the most outstanding hitters in the history of baseball, his career .356 batting average is the third highest in history, after Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby. He was born in Brandon Mills.
* James Jamerson (January 29, 1938 - August 2, 1983), born in Charleston.
Legendary bass player and member of the Funk Brothers, the session band at Motown. Played on "Shotgun" by Jr. Walker and the All Stars, "For Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder, "My Girl" by The Temptations and "What's Goin' On" by Marvin Gaye among many other Motown classics.
* Young Jeezy (1977 - ), born as Jay Jenkins is a rapper from Columbia.
* Jasper Johns, widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, was raised (albeit born in a Georgia hospital) in Allendale.
* Orlando Jones (1968-), a comedian and actor from Mauldin
* Eartha Kitt (1927- ), actress and singer, one of only a handful of performers to be nominated twice for both a Tony Award and Grammy Award, as well as for an Emmy Award. She hails from North.
* James Longstreet (1821-1904), controversial general of the Civil War, widely respected during the war as Lee's second-in-command, but later condemned by many of his peers for his criticisms of Lee at Gettysburg and for his post-war political affiliation. Longstreet was born in Edgefield District, now Edgefield County, although he was raised in northern Georgia.
* Francis Marion (1732-1795), also known as the "Swamp Fox", was a Brigadier General in the American Revolutionary War. The main character in the movie The Patriot is based largely on his exploits. Marion was born in Georgetown.
* Edwin McCain, recording artist who reached platinum status with his hit single "I'll Be", from his second album, Misguided Roses, in 1998. McCain was born in Greenville.
* Andie MacDowell, film actress and model, most well-known for her roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral,Groundhog Day and Green Card, was born in Gaffney and attended Winthrop College.
* Burnet Maybank, Prestigious and prominent politician and businessman; Charleston alderman 1927-31, mayor 1931-38, governor 1939-1941, and US senator 1941-54; never lost an election, made his money in cotton exporting; at one point was named one of the 20 most influenital men in America by Fortune Magazine
* Roger "Rocky" McIntosh, an NFL player from Gaffney
* Dr. Ronald McNair (1950–1986), born in Lake City; one of the seven astronauts to die when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take-off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 28, 1986.
* Kerry Mullis, born in Lenoir, North Carolina, and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina; received Nobel Prize for DNA amplification research. There is public controversy regarding credit for this research.
* Nancy O'Dell, born on February 25, 1966 in Myrtle Beach; an American television host and entertainment journalist.
* Jermaine O'Neal, born on October 13, 1978 in Columbia; a NBA player.
* Peggy Parish, author of a children's book series featuring a befuddled maid, Amelia Bedelia. She was from Manning.
* Kathleen Parker, nationally recognized columnist.
* Mary-Louise Parker, actress born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, best-known works include Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Proof, The West Wing, Angels in America, and her current role on Showtime's Weeds.
* William Perry, better known as "The Refrigerator", became a household name after helping lead the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl in the 1985/86 season. He played college football at Clemson University. He lives in his hometown of Aiken.
* John Phillips (1935-2001), best known as the founding member of The Mamas and The Papas. He was born in Parris Island.
* Bill Pinkney (1925-2007), was a performer and singer that was a member of the doo wop/R&B group, The Drifters. Pinkney was born in born in Dalzell.
* Jim Rice (1953- ), longtime star of the Boston Red Sox who won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1978. Native of Anderson.
* James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (born October 17, 1948), best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series under the pen name Robert Jordan. Rigney was born in Charleston and holds an undergraduate degree in physics from The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina.
* Julie Roberts (1979- ) born in Lancaster. Country singer best known for her 2004 hit "Break Down Here". Received Top New Artist and Top New Female Vocalist nominations from The Academy of Country Music for her 2004 debut album "Julie Roberts".
* Chris Rock (born February 7, 1965), an American stand-up comedian and actor born in Andrews.
* Darius Rucker (1966-), lead singer of "Hootie and the Blowfish", was born in, and now resides near, Charleston.
* Blue Sky (1938-), internationally-recognized painter and sculptor, was born in Columbia and has lived there for the majority of his life
* W. Thomas Smith Jr. (1959-), internationally recognized author and columnist, was born in Columbia.
* Angie Stone (born January 30, 1961), a Grammy Award-nominated American R&B and neo soul singer and songwriter from Columbia.
* Melanie Thornton (1967-2001), R&B/Pop/Dance Singer (former member of La Bouche), born in Charleston, died in a plane crash near Bassersdorf (Zürich), (Switzerland).
* Strom Thurmond (1902–2003), born in Edgefield in 1902. South Carolina governor from 1947–1951, and in 1954 became the first and only United States Senator elected by a write-in vote. In 1997, Senator Thurmond became the oldest and longest serving member of the U.S. Senate. In January 2003, at age 100, Thurmond retired from public service after his eighth term. He returned to his hometown where he died June 26, 2003.
* Aaron Tippin grew up in Greenville and started singing on his family’s farm. He is now a country music star with several country hits to his credit.
* Charles Townes (1915-), physicist and astronomer from Greenville, graduated from Furman University; winner of the 1964 Nobel Prize for Physics for his contributions to the invention of the laser and maser. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of California-Berkeley.
* Josh Turner (born November 20, 1977 in Hannah) is an American country music singer. Turner possesses a very distinctive bass voice
* John B. Watson psychologist, father of the Behaviorism movement
* Shawn Weatherly, Miss Universe 1980, the second woman from South Carolina and fifth from the U.S. to win the title. She also played Jill Riley in Season 1 of Baywatch.
* William Westmoreland -- (born Spartanburg County, March 26, 1914 – July 18,
2005) was at one point commander of all United States ground forces in Vietnam and was also Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
* Vanna White, "Wheel of Fortune" game show hostess since 1982, hails from North Myrtle Beach.
* Paul Wight (1972—), born in Aiken, Wight also known as the Big Show, he is a professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler now working for World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW brand.
* Maurice Williams (1938-)
* Mookie Wilson is a former Major League Baseball player from Bamberg that played for the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays
* Marian Wright Edelman (from Bennettsville), the founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund and the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar.
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South Carolina History
South Carolina History
The colony of Carolina was settled by English settlers, mostly from Barbados, sent by the Lords Proprietors in 1670, followed by French Huguenots. The Carolina upcountry was settled largely by Scots-Irish migrants from Pennsylvania and Virginia, following the Great Wagon Road. The formal colony of "The Carolinas" split into two in 1712. South Carolina became a royal colony in 1729. The state declared its independence from Great Britain and set up its own government on March 15, 1776. On February 5, 1778, South Carolina became the first state to ratify the first constitution of the United States - the Articles of Confederation. South Carolina became the 8th state on May 23, 1788.
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860. On April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries began shelling Fort Sumter and the American Civil War began. Edmund Ruffin is usually credited with firing the first shot from Battery Park (Charleston). Charleston was effectively blockaded and the Union Navy seized the Sea Islands, driving off the plantation owners and setting up an experiment in freedom for the ex-slaves. South Carolina troops participated in the major Confederate campaigns, but no major battles were fought inland. General William Tecumseh Sherman marched through the state in early 1865, destroying numerous plantations, and captured the state capital of Columbia on February 17. Fires began that night and by next morning, most of the central city was destroyed.
After the war, South Carolina was reincorporated into the United States during Reconstruction. Under presidential Reconstruction (1865-66) Freedmen (former slaves) were given limited rights. Under Radical reconstruction (1867-1877), a Republican coalition of Freedmen, Carpetbaggers and Scalawags were in control, supported by Union army forces. The withdrawal of Union soldiers as part of the Compromise of 1877 ended Reconstruction and brought an era where conservative white "Redeemers" and pro-business Bourbon Democrats were in control. The state became a hotbed of racial and economic tensions during the Populist and Agrarian movements of the 1890s. Blacks were disfranchised in 1890, and "Pitchfork Ben Tillman" controlled state politics from the 1890s to 1910 with a base among poor white farmers.
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South Carolina Climate
South Carolina Climate
South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen climate classification Cfa), although high elevation areas in the "Upstate" area have less subtropical characteristics than areas on the Atlantic coastline. In the summer, South Carolina is hot and humid with daytime temperatures averaging between 86-92°F (30-33°C) in most of the state and overnight lows over 70°F (21°C) on the coast and in the high 60s°F (near 20°C) further inland. Winter temperatures are much less uniform in South Carolina. Coastal areas of the state have very mild winters with high temperatures approaching an average of 60°F (16°C) and overnight lows in the 40s°F (5-8°C). Further inland in the higher country, the average January overnight low can be below freezing. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, near the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland March tends to be the wettest month.
Snowfall in South Carolina is not very excessive with coastal areas receiving less than an inch (2.5 cm) on average. It isn't uncommon for areas on the coast (especially the southern coast) to receive no recordable snowfall in a given year, although it usually receives at least a small dusting of snow annually. The interior receives a little more snow, although nowhere in the state averages more than 6 inches (15 cm) a year.
The state is prone to tropical cyclones and it is a yearly concern during hurricane season which is from June-November, although the peak time of vulnerability for the southeast Atlantic coast is from early August to early October when the Cape Verde hurricane season lasts. South Carolina averages around 50 days of thunderstorm activity a year, which is less than some of the states further south and is slightly less vulnerable to tornadoes than the states which border on the Gulf of Mexico. Still, some notable tornadoes have struck South Carolina and the state averages around 14 tornadoes annually.
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South Carolina Facts
South Carolina Facts
South Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States of America. The Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It was the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America. The state is named after King Charles II of England, as Carolus is Latin for Charles. According to 2005 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, the state's population stands at 4,321,249.
South Carolina is bounded to the north by North Carolina; to the south and west by Georgia, located across the Savannah River; and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean.
South Carolina is composed of four geographic areas, whose boundaries roughly parallel the northeast/southwest Atlantic coastline. The lower part of the state is the Coastal Plain, also known as the Lowcountry, which is nearly flat and composed entirely of recent sediments such as sand, silt, and clay. Areas with better drainage make excellent farmland, though some land is swampy. The coastline contains many salt marshes and estuaries, as well as natural ports such as Georgetown and Charleston. An unusual feature of the coastal plain is a large number of Carolina bays, the origins of which are uncertain, though one prominent theory suggests that they were created by a meteor shower. The bays tend to be oval, lining up in a northwest to southeast orientation.
Palmetto State
State Capital: Columbia
State Motto: While I breathe I hope
State Songs: "Carolina" and "South Carolina On My Mind"
State Tree: Sabal palmetto
State Flower: Yellow Jessamine
State Bird: Carolina Wren
State Wild Game Bird: Wild Turkey
State Dog: Boykin Spaniel
State Animal: White-tailed Deer
State Reptile: Loggerhead Sea Turtle
State Amphibian: Spotted Salamander
State Fish: Striped Bass
State Insect: Carolina Mantid
State Butterfly: Eastern tiger swallowtail
State Fruit: Peach[
State Beverage: Milk
State Hospitality
Beverage: Tea
State Gemstone: Amethyst
State Stone: Blue Granite
State Popular Music: Beach Music
State Dance: Shag
State Snack: Boiled peanuts
State Craft: Sweetgrass Basket weaving
Just west of the coastal plain is the Sand Hills region, which is thought to contain remnants of old coastal dunes from a time when the land was sunken or the oceans were higher.
The Piedmont (Upstate) region contains the roots of an ancient, eroded mountain chain. It tends to be hilly, with thin, stony clay soils, and contains few areas suitable for farming. Much of the Piedmont was once farmed, with little success, and is now reforested. At the edge of the Piedmont is the fall line, where rivers drop to the coastal plain. The fall line was an important early source of water power, and mills built to harness this resource encouraged the growth of several cities, including the capital, Columbia. The larger rivers are navigable up to the fall line, providing a trade route for mill towns.
The upper part of the Piedmont is also known as the Foothills. The Cherokee Parkway is a scenic driving route through this area. This is where Table Rock State Park is located.
Highest in elevation is the Upstate, containing an escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which continue into North Carolina and Georgia, as part of the southern Appalachian chain. Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point at 3,560 feet (1,085 m) is located in this area.[1] Also located in the Upcountry is Table Rock State Park and Caesar's Head State Park. The Chattooga River, located on the border between South Carolina and Georgia, is a favorite whitewater rafting destination.
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Columbia South Carolina
Columbia South Carolina
As the capital of South Carolina, Columbia is a city rich with history. There are numerous things for the entire family to see and do throughout the city. Whether you like visiting places important in history, enjoying the arts, playing or watching sports, attending festivals, or participating in outdoor activities, Columbia is the place for you
Columbia is located in the center of South Carolina at the junctions of Interstates 20, 26 and 77. It is South Carolina's most populated city, the state capital, the county seat of Richland County, the home of the University of South Carolina's main campus, and the site of the South Carolina State Fair every October. A small part of Columbia also extends into Lexington County.
For nearly a century before the creation of Columbia by the General Assembly in 1786, the site of Columbia was important to the overall development of the state.
The Congarees, a frontier fort on the west bank of the Congaree River, was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. A ferry was established by the colonial government in 1754 to connect the fort with the growing settlements on the higher ground on the east bank.
State Senator John Lewis Gervais of Ninety Six introduced a bill that was approved by the legislature on March 22, 1786 to create a new state capital.
There was considerable argument over the name for the new city. One legislator insisted on the name Washington, but Columbia won out by a vote of 11-7 in the state Senate.
The commissioners designed a town of 400 Blocks in a two-mile square along the river. The blocks were divided into half-acre lots and sold to speculators and prospective residents. Buyers had to build a house at least 30 feet long and 18 feet wide within three years or face an annual 5 percent penalty.
The perimeter streets and two through streets were 150 feet wide. The remaining squares were divided by thoroughfares 100 feet wide. The width was determined by the belief that the dangerous and pesky mosquito could not fly more than 60 feet without dying of starvation along the way.
Columbians still enjoy most of the magnificent network of wide streets.
The commissioners comprised the local government until 1797 when a Commission of Streets and Markets was created by the General Assembly. Three main issues occupied most of their time: public drunkenness, gambling and poor sanitation.
As the second planned city in the United States, Columbia began to grow rapidly. Its population was nearing 1,000 shortly after the turn of the century.
Columbia received its first charter as a town in 1805. An intendent and six wardens would govern the town.
John Taylor was the first elected intendent. He later served in both houses of the General Assembly, both houses of Congress and eventually as governor of the state.
By 1816, there were 250 homes in the town and a population over 1,000.
The town's governing body was empowered to tax these citizens by up to 12 cents per $100 of property. An extra 5-cent levy could be charged to those who wished to be exempt from patrol duty. Additional taxes could be levied for ownership of a carriage, $5; a wagon, $3; and $4 for a mechanic's license.
For another $2 per year, a citizen could be come exempt from working on the streets. When the Legislature was in session, the town council constantly heard complaints about weeds and bushes growing in the streets.
One of the first municipal employees was the "Warner", someone who went through town warning citizens when it was their time to work on the public streets and roads.
In the early days of the town, every citizen was required to keep one fire bucket for each chimney in his house. Five small fire brigades were organized in 1816 with each male citizen expected to serve. Volunteer departments later replaced these brigades.
Policing the new town was also a hit and miss proposition in the early 1800's. The legislature has appointed a marshall who walked through the town twice a day. An official town guard was created in 1824. Citizens could buy an exemption from serving in the guard for $5.
Columbia became chartered in 1854, with an elected mayor and six aldermen. Two years later, they had a police force consisting of a full-time chief and nine patrolmen. The starting salary for the patrolmen was $16 per month.
Abram Blanding, the town's first school teacher and attorney, built Columbia's first waterworks. Pumping water with a steam engine to a wooden tank, water was carried by cast iron and lead pipes to the homes and businesses of the city.
The city purchased the system from Blanding at a third of his investment in 1835. As a tribute to Blanding, the town council later changed the name of Walnut Street to Blanding Street.
Growth continued, with the first annexations of the suburbs in 1870.
Columbia had no paved streets until 1908, when 17 blocks of Main Street were surfaced. There were, however, 115 publicly maintained street crossings at intersections to keep pedestrians from having to wade through a sea of mud between wooden sidewalks.
As an experiment, Washington Street was once paved with wooden blocks. This proved to be the source of much local amusement when they buckled and floated away during heavy rains. The blocks were replaced with asphalt paving in 1925.
The first paid firemen were hired in 1903. A car was purchased for the chief that same year, evidently the first vehicle owned by the city.
In 1934, the federal courthouse at Main and Laurel was purchased by the city for use as City Hall. Built of granite from nearby Winnsboro, Columbia City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Designed by Alfred Bult Millet, President Ulysses S. Grant's federal architect, the building was completed in 1876. Mullet, best known for his design of the Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., had originally designed the building with a clock tower. Large cost overruns probably caused it to be left out.
Copies of Mullet's original drawings can be seen on the walls of City Hall alongside historic photos of Columbia's beginnings.
Charleston SC
Charleston SC
Charleston SC is a city of enchantment and charm, of fascinating beauty, history and culture. Relocation to Charleston SC is so easy! The magnificent beauty of Charleston SC makes it easy to fall in love with, and impossible to forget. Charlestonians have a deep abiding love for their fair city and are eager to tell you that it is the most wonderful place in the whole wide world!
First of all, Charleston has a great geographic location. Originally built on a peninsula of land that divides the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, the metropolitan area now sprawls into the three counties of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester.
The Lowcountry's topography includes tidal marshes, saltwater lakes, freshwater lakes, wide-mouthed rivers, bays, coves, the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches. The natural beauty of the Greater Charleston area is manifest. Home to all types of water birds like egrets, herons, ibises, pelicans and gulls, the area also provides habitat for interesting creatures like alligators, loggerhead turtles, foxes and deer.
Each area that makes up Greater Charleston provides residents with beautiful natural surroundings.
Charleston's unique character is founded in her history and its preservation. The city's beginnings are found at a site on the Ashley River now preserved as the historic site and nature preserve, Charles Towne Landing 1670. This, the first of English settlements in South Carolina, was initiated as a business venture by eight British noblemen, known as the Lord Proprietors. They had been granted ownership by King Charles II of the vast territory between "31 and 36 degrees north latitude and the two oceans" in return for an annual payment of twenty marks and one-fourth of all gold and silver that might be found. In 1672, the governor ordered the "laying out of a town at Oyster Point", a peninsula of land between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and in 1680 the capital and port of entry were officially moved to this more "convenient" location.
Today, historic downtown Charleston is a reflection of the centuries that have passed since her founding. Carriages pulled by horses and mules roll past stately antebellum homes and churches, 18th century storefronts and other historical structures that are amazingly well-preserved. Street after street presents one picturesque view after another of what life was like in early Charleston.
Charleston attracts retirees from around the nation and one of its biggest draws is the mild climate. Spring comes early to Charleston. The floral display is breath-taking as abundant dogwoods, redbuds, magnolias and brilliant azaleas fill every neighborhood with indescribable beauty.
Summerville draws over 200,000 visitors to its Flowertown Festival each Spring to admire the fantastic azalea and camellia spectacle. Cypress Gardens in Berkeley County is a wonderland of spring beauty and visitors ride in flat bottom boats to enjoy the natural elegance.
Charleston is a paradise for recreational pursuits, particularly outdoor activities. Anything water-related is thoroughly enjoyed, whether it's sailing in Charleston Harbor, canoeing the rivers or picking up seashells along the shore. Charlestonians are in love with their waterways and social entertaining is often built around boating, sailing and parties on decks, patios and balconies overlooking water.
Golfers are delighted with the courses available in Greater Charleston. Fishermen take advantage of the many opportunities to test their skills in both fresh and salt water. The area park systems are well-developed and offer residents a multitude of surroundings and facilities for recreation.
Annual events and entertainment are outstanding in Greater Charleston. From the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition held February 18-20, 2005 which showcases some of the world's finest wildlife artists, to Spoleto Festival USA, which brings international talent in all performing arts to Charleston on May 27-June 12, 2005, to the wonderful MOJA Festival held September 29-October 9, 2005, the celebration of African-American & Caribbean heritage that has won national acclaim, there is always something exciting going on in Greater Charleston.
Housing costs in Greater Charleston are about the national average. The choices are virtually unlimited, from homes that front on the Atlantic and tidal marshes, to homes situated alongside top-rated golf courses, to convenient, well-appointed apartment communities. Areas like Historic Charleston offer homes built in the 1800's for lovers of antiquity and charm, while new neighborhoods built around recreational features are being developed in places like Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, and James Island.
Charleston is internationally known for its arts festivals and events. Museums in Greater Charleston are both entertaining and educational. The Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon is owned by the South Carolina State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The economic base in Greater Charleston is formed by a successful combination of the more than $5.1 billion tourism industry, the dynamic Port of Charleston, the medical community, military installations and a diverse group of manufacturers. Charleston is poised at the brink of an economic expansion of major proportions. International companies are particularly keen to the many advantages of locating in Greater Charleston. The port facilities, the excellent and available work force, and the central location to the rest of the Southeast are a few of the reasons companies are selecting Greater Charleston for growth and expansion.
Charleston is easy to get to and easy to navigate. Major highway construction is completed on the Mark Clark Expressway, or I-526, a freeway that encircles the entire metro area. A new 8-lane super-bridge is being built across the Cooper River. An extra lane is separated for bike and pedestrian traffic. This is the longest cable stay span in North or South America. I-26, an east-west route is the primary route connecting Charleston to I-95 and to Columbia, SC, the state capital.
People move to this lovely lady by the sea for a multitude of reasons. Corporate executives find themselves in fortunate circumstances when transferred to Charleston. Health care professionals seek out the excellent medical facilities for career enhancement. Military personnel are delighted by the transfer. Retirement to the Greater Charleston area is a dream come true for many people each year. Retirees cite the location, mild climate, access to water and beaches, beautiful natural surroundings, excellent health care and cost of living as main factors in deciding to make Charleston their home.
Whatever reason brings a person to Charleston, they soon realize the blessings that Charleston residents have known all along. You're going to love it!
Source Charleston SC
