What a beautiful spot to spend some time. My son and I brought five containers of water and we are…read morealready out of water! The water tastes delicious and so fresh. There are no words for how it tastes! If you are planning on going go earlier in the day; it doesn't seem to be as crowded then. Being more jugs for water than you think you are going to need. The store up the road has jugs available for purchase.

Unable to check in for lack of cell service but could not complain since it is God's property,…read morewhere else do you find an Acre of land deeded to God himself, he owns the universe but this Acre is deeded. It was pouring when we went back with our jugs just 10 minutes after taking the pictures so I can't attest to the water properties it it sure reminded me of Hot Springs, AR where people also wait in line to fill jugs to take home. Will be back to get some home and visit God on his property

Located near where Main Street crosses SC-3, this wide boulevard continues for five or so blocks in…read morethe center of town. The marker points out the history of the city. On the front, "Blackville: Town of the Phoenix. Blackville was founded in 1833 as the first overnight stop on the new railroad operated by the South Carolina Canal & Railroad Co. It was also the scene of 4 major fires in the late 19th century (in 1865, 1876, 1887, and 1888), each of which almost destroyed the town. Editor A. E. Gonzales nicknamed Blackville "The Town of the Phoenix" in 1889 in honor of its ability to rise again and again from the ashes and rebuild." On the reverse, "Battle of Blackville, 1865. Early on February 7, 1865, Federal cavalry under Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick advanced to Blackville from Barnwell. Col. Thomas J. Jordan's brigade attacked a Confederate cavalry brigade under Col. James Hagan, drove it through the town and three miles beyond, and captured many prisoners, scattering the rest. Kilpatrick destroyed the railroad at Blackville and advanced west to Reynolds Station, between Blackville and Williston, that night. Erected by the Town of Blackville and the Blackville Historical Society, 1996." There is street parking on both sides of Main Street. Check out the clock (which was four minutes fast). [Review 16848 overall - 879 in South Carolina - 361 of 2022.]

This National Historic Site is free! There's a 1-mile paved trail with occasional informational…read moresigns to guide you through the historic site, as well as a log cabin you can look into, clean bathrooms, and a visitors center with a few displays, a small theatre, and gift shop. We were visitors but it appeared several locals come here to take a walk or walk their dogs as well. Highly recommend visiting if in the area.

Good site to learn a little about the revolutionary war. There were many battles in SC. Ninety Six…read morewas a small settlement and the fort was controlled by the British. The wooden parts of the fort are gone but the earthworks are still there. The main pathway is about a mile long and is paved so it's easy walking. There are some slight inclines and declines but with the pavement it should still be wheelchair accessible as well.

Such a nice trail for walking, running or biking. Reminds me of Silver Comet Trail, how it goes…read morethrough the backyards of older neighborhoods. The spur down by the river was the trip's highlight. Quite lovely. This trail has all needed amenities... bathrooms, bike tire inflation stations, good signage, and nicely paved asphalt.

The greenway in runs right to the ritzy waterfront area, but there several miles of it. It is…read morepaved, and while on occasions it passes sports facilities or people's backyards, it is generally quite green. It is usually well-attended and I have not had any safety concerns; it certainly feels better than comparable areas on the other side of the river. There are plenty of bikers, but the trail is generally wide enough not to present any major issues of overcrowding. It's definitely a good way to get a taste of the environment without driving too far from the city.

During the town of Elloree's 1986 Centennial Celebration, Elloree dedicated a historical marker to…read morethis, the oldest remaining structure in the city limits. TEXT: "This two-story house of heart pine and wooden peg construction was built by William J. Snider, founder of the town of Elloree. This house was moved from Charleston about 1870. This house is the first and oldest residence remaining in the town. 1886 1986 INTENDANT MAYOR W.J. Snider W.B. Bookhart, Jr. WARDENS COUNCIL" J.E. Thames J.C. Ulmer, Jr. H.M. Peak A.D. Hudson, Jr. J.D. "Joe" Griffin Nancy T. Oliver A.L. Ott Lewis E. Rourk Erected on Founder's Day December 23, 1986 Elloree Centennial Year by the Town of Elloree" Some local debate remains as to whether Snider should be regarded as "founder."

During the Civil War, Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry commandeered Banksia Hall in…read morethe town of Barnwell for five days, burning down much of the town during their stay. Banksia then became a Federal occupation headquarters during Reconstruction. This memorial is on a small triangular park in the center of Barnwell, directly opposite the Barnwell City Hall and the Barnwell County Courthouse. It is quite corroded and the 24 foot tall marble monument is in need of a cleaning. There are inscriptions on three faces of the monument. On the North face, "Erected by the women of Barnwell to the memory of their countrymen who fell in the war for the rights of the states. And who died to maintain the principal that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." On the South face, "Who wrung from the great commander of the opposing armies the humiliating confession that they could be overcome only by attrition. And in the deadly contest in which they engaged their spirits were never broken. Their courage never quailed. Their convictions never deserted. And their manhood was never surrendered." And on the West face, "Who throughout a long and bloody struggle displayed a heroism and devotion to duty unsurpassed. If ever equaled in the annals of war." As these monuments are slowly being removed from the South, stop by and check it out while it's still here. [Review 16841 overall - 872 in South Carolina - 354 of 2022.]

What is that and why is there a length of super chain joining these two buildings? Yes, that's the…read more"Neverbust Chain" and it was installed in 2000 to connect two very large office buildings in downtown Columbia. The installation is by local artist Blue Sky (aka Warren Edward Johnson) who is also responsible for the nearby works "Tunnelvision" and "Busted Plug Plaza". Maybe they're fake? Nope, these are actual steel chain links that were welded together and hand about 15 feet over this small alleyway. According to the artist's statement, "One building looked like it was leaning a little bit." Check it out (and those other two) in downtown Columbia. [Review 2186 of 2024 - 1159 in South Carolina - 23204 overall]

Never Bust Chain is a work of art by Blue Sky, a SC artist. Only approval from the owners of the…read morebuildings was involved but this work of art gained immediate government approval due to the renown of the artist. 2000 pounds of hydraulic pressure was required to link the final parts of the chain together while professional welding occurred. Whimsical tourist point of interest in Columbia, SC.

After a "destination lunch" in Yemassee SC, our server asked if we were seeking history. Replying…read morethat it was an interest, they suggested going just six miles down the road. Yes! Six miles and 250 years earlier, we drove into a hauntingly beautiful open grove of ruins did we go! Park off the street easily. Off street parking with no sidewalks or crossings, then you'll walk into history. Burned once by the British in 1777, rebuilt, then burned one more, and final time by Sherman's mary in the civil war, as he rained terror on these rural folk, returning from conquering Savannah in the final years of the civil war. Some people remain behind in the graveyard, so please be respectful during your time here. It's silence and magistry will stay with you. The old water pump still delivers cold, sweet spring water, so have some before you go. Bring a cup (no waste cans!), or go old school and use your hand. The sadness comes from knowing that these bricks were made by slaves...

My wife and I visited here on an anniversary trip from a recommendation of a friend. It's about 50…read moremiles from Charleston SC but was well worth the drive. We were the only ones there. It's a historic site known as Prince William's Parish Church. Built between 1745 and 1753 in the English Georgian style with Roman Tuscan or Doric elements, it served as a chapel of ease for the parish. The church has a dramatic history, traditionally believed to have been burned twice: first by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War and again in 1865 by General Sherman's forces during the Civil War, leaving only its massive brick walls. However, a 1866 letter by Milton Leverett suggests the church was not burned in 1865 but instead gutted for materials to rebuild homes destroyed by Sherman's army, challenging the traditional narrative. I'd highly recommend a trip here if you are in the area and like things like this.

This place serves as a nice backdrop for my wife's impromptu birthday photo shoot! There are…read morevarious backgrounds to choose from: buildings, water features, flowers & trees... and a big red barn!

the development of the Living History Park where school children witness history firsthand through…read moreliving exhibits and demonstrations of colonial life, The Living History Park serves citizens from a two state area (South Carolina and Georgia).26th Annual Colonial Times "A Day to Remember" fits the bill. Head on over to the augusta area and enjoy!

So I dropped my luggage in room 666, map in hand, inappropriately dressed for the cold, but looking…read moreimpractically chic. Just loved how the traffic light posts spoke to me: "wait! Wait!" Wait!" as I kept pressing the button just to hear it. Did it so often in each traffic light I encountered that I skipped psychotherapy that week. I decided to put everything on hold...and waited. Augusta's River Walk overlooks the Savannah River and on the other side incredibly gorgeous homes of South Carolina. The weather man had predicted cloudy skies and he was wrong. The sky could not have looked more blue (will not use the correct "bluer," because it's shortness sounds so limiting and this sky was boundless) or more spacious. As I sat on the steps of the Jessye Norman Amphitheater, I thought about Louis Armstrong and his rendition of "What a wonderful World"... and now that technology is prevalent, I pulled out my cell phone and YouTubed it. The place was deserted... an old lady feeding some birds and a grandchild giddily watching. Some rowers practicing for the Regatta which was to take place the next day. Red buoys bobbing and floating marking the course. Bare limbs on trees calling forth Christmas. I felt a pang of envy wishing I could listen to Norah Jones or Diana Krall playing her piano right there. From what I heard when I inquired to some of the bartenders I met later on... the amphitheater is barely used now. Forgotten. It is sometimes rented for around $300 as a wedding ceremony venue, but concerts have become a rarity. I can't think of another place where I might watch a concert so perfectly nested. So I sat there enjoying the concert in my head.