The ranger was full of information. We enjoyed his history of story telling. There is also a clean…read morerestroom near by

The history of this place is very interesting and provides a glimpse into post Colonial life in the…read moreUpcountry. In the late 1700s, this area was truly the wilderness and the two structures provide an interesting look into important historic events and culture. The settlement was originally an encampment and fort to protect against Indian attacks in 1760. The fort provided some protection to the settlers and served as a trading post. The site marks the furthest west point of Colonial settlement in South Carolina. By 1799, the Soldiers left and Cherokee Indians used the blockhouse to store furs and to trade. An 1805 brick house is also on site. The area served as a stagecoach stop throughout the 1800s. The park itself is quite beautiful. You can tour the buildings on Saturday when they open them up, or you can visit them anytime the park is open. There are two trails that lead to the Palmetto Trail. A 1.5 mile hike from the station or a .6 mile hike from the parking area just up the road leads to Falls, a 60 foot waterfall that is easy and kid friendly. It's also quite stunning. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the site. The Ranger is very nice and helpful. There is no fee, but donations are accepted (and I recommend people donate).

This marker is on the main street leading in to downtown Greenville and points out the history of…read morethis amazing and beautiful home. It is on a corner so there is space to stop to read the marker and view the house. The front reads, "The Wilkins House was built in 1878 by Greenville builder Jacob Cagle for William Wilkins and his wife Harriett Cleveland Wilkins. The home, which originally fronted Augusta St., was designed in the Italianate style, but also incorporated Gothic and Moorish elements. The interior finishes, including complex millwork and Lincrusta wall coverings, matched the high style of the exterior. An 1898 article declared it "the finest home of any man in northern South Carolina."" And the reverse, "William Wilkins died in 1895 but Harriett lived here until her death in 1930. In 1933 the house was leased by the Wilkins family to R.D. Jones, who used it as both a residence and funeral home. When the home was threatened with demolition in 2014 a public fundraising campaign, along with the efforts of a new owner, combined to raise enough money to move the 750-ton building to its current site. At the time, it was believed to be the heaviest building ever moved in S.C." The marker was erected in 2017 by the City of Greenville. It is number 23-82. [Review 249 of 2025 - 1269 in South Carolina - 23813 overall]

This small park near the center of Anderson gives some context to the city's electrification with a…read moremassive generator and several plaques providing history. It's interesting to see and learn some more contemporary history. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Half mile West on Seneca River, the Portman Shoals Power Plant, built by William C. Whitner, began in 1897 the transmission of high-voltage electricity over the longest lines then in use for that purpose in the United States. The success of this plant, now owned by Duke Power Company, caused Anderson to be called "The Electric City."" There are also markers with some more text. In 1895, engineer William Church Whitner successfully transmitted electricity six miles from High Shoals to Anderson, marking the South's first long-distance power transmission. This breakthrough led to the construction of the Portman Shoals Power Plant in 1897, which generated high-voltage hydroelectric power without step-up transformers--possibly the first of its kind globally. The plant powered Anderson's water system, streetlights, homes, and notably the Anderson Cotton Mill. Though the original generators were lost to flooding and fire, one 1911 Westinghouse unit remains preserved near Generator Park as a tribute to Whitner's legacy. The marker was erected in 1956 by the Anderson County Historical Association. It is number 4-1. [Review 1372 of 2025 - 1328 in South Carolina - 24924 overall]

Cobb Bridge sits where Cobb Bridge Road crosses the Chauga River west of Westminster, a quiet…read morecorner of Oconee County surrounded by hardwood forest and bordered by the edge of Sumter National Forest. The approach along the narrow pavement reinforces that tucked‑away Upstate feeling, and the posted clearance of 14 feet 7 inches makes it a true two-lane bridge even if it feels tighter than that when you're rolling across. My Sprinter van fit without issue, but I was still glad there was no oncoming traffic on a gray afternoon. The bridge itself is a modern concrete structure rather than a historic iron span, built to replace earlier crossings that once served this rural stretch of the county. Its importance comes less from architectural character and more from function, anchoring one of the most reliable access points to the Chauga River, a waterway known for trout fishing, small rapids, and quiet pools. The river moves over rock shelves just downstream, and even from the deck you can hear the steady rush of water beneath the tree canopy, a sound that defines this part of the Upstate as much as the landscape itself. Because the area remains lightly developed, the bridge works as both a crossing and a gateway to the outdoors. Locals use the pull offs and shoulders to reach the river, and the corridor stays peaceful even on weekends, with only the occasional angler or paddler slipping down to the water. [Review 255 of 2026 - 1392 in South Carolina - 25444 overall]

Set on the grounds of the Oconee County Courthouse, this historical marker confronts a grim chapter…read morefrom our past - one that unfolded less than a century ago. The front of the marker reads, "In 1930, over 100 white men and boys broke into Oconee County Jail to lynch Allen Green, a prominent local African American. Born in 1879, Green lived a few blocks east of here with his wife, Corrie Green. On April 20, he was arrested on likely false charges of raping a white woman. He was then brought to the jail which stood near this site. For several nights, groups met at the mill baseball field planning his lynching." The reverse, "On April 23, the mob came to the jail, attacked the sheriff, and forced Green from his cell. They took him to a location outside West Union, tied him to a tree and shot him repeatedly. One S.C. newspaper described it as 'among the most barbarous crimes ever committed' in the state. Seventeen people, including the mayor of Walhalla, were indicted for murder and other charges. None were convicted. Green is buried outside of town." This marker does more than recount a tragedy - it demands remembrance, reflection, and reckoning. It belongs here on the courthouse grounds as a reminder. It is marker number 37-26 and it was sponsored by Oconee County Arts and Historical Commission. It was erected in 2022. [Review 1246 of 2025 - 1303 in South Carolina - 24798 overall]

Not far from the county courthouse, this marker provides the history of the educational institution…read morethat was here. Over time, the building expanded to include a 1913-14 auditorium and east wing, followed by a 1950s classroom addition. These expansions allowed the school to accommodate growing enrollment and evolving educational needs. Today, the building serves as the Walhalla Civic Auditorium, preserving its legacy as a center for learning and community engagement. The marker has text on both sides. It reads, "Walhalla, in what was Pickens District until Oconee County was created in 1868, was founded by the German Colonization Society of Charleston in 1850 and boasted as many as 500 German settlers by 1855. The first school offering instruction in English opened in a frame building on Church Street between mid-1850 and late 1852. It was described in January 1853 as "a good English school on the square attended by twenty German Children." "Prof. G.H.D. Cramer was the first teacher at this elementary school for younger German children. In late 1853, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized with Rev. Carl F. Bansemer as its first pastor and as professor at the English school. Bansemer was also professor of a classical academy founded in 1857. When he left Walhalla in 1860, Prof. Cramer resumed teaching at the English school and remained until his death in 1874." It is marker number 37-15 and it was erected in 2007 by the Oconee County Arts & Historical Commission. [Review 1297 of 2025 - 1312 in South Carolina - 24849 overall]

Beware when parking. There was a festival in town but the signs that said no parking from 1 to 10…read morePM were not put up until after we parked so then they gave us a citation. Bait and switch. We are from Michigan, so don't come at me saying that is always the case. If you don't have the signs up permanently, out of town guests couldn't possibly know.

I was lucky enough to spend some time in Greenville, for work. I had no idea how lucky I was. I was…read moreabsolutely charmed. I came in on a Friday and left Saturday evening but it was long enough to fall in love. Everyone I encountered was friendly. The weather was amazing. Downtown was absolutely charming. They shut down main street for the farmers market and that is worth checking out. Our shuttle driver reassured us that walking around at night was safe and gave us a little tour of the area before dropping us off at the hotel. Going to see the suspension bridge is beautiful and just at the end of main street. I happened into some of the shops and even the bank, and everywhere I went I met nice people and a welcoming attitude. I hope to come here again.

I always enjoy going to the library. You can find a place to sit, find a magazine and sit and…read moreread. The staff is always so helpful. I have a problem checking out my books but they are so helpful in checking out my materials. I never have had to look for them. Someone is always at the desk, ready to help me.

Noisy! Noisy with people shouting and arguing, children screaming ...staff do absolutely nothing…read morebut if an adult dare sit in the teen or children's section which has furniture other than hard wooden chairs, the security guard will rush up and threaten to throw you out. The library needs to be demolished and a homeless center built in its place.