Very cool urban "archaeological" find...nobody but locals "in the know" seem to be aware it's even…read morethere! Found out about it from the very nice & informative bartender at Dust Off Brewing (check out doing to the YoCo Brew Trail; check into 6 breweries on the app & get a t-shirt). He couldn't quite remember how to get to it, but after some intensive research, found the geo coordinates. That was honestly the only way to find this place, plus a little guts & guesswork. You can quasi see some portion of the rockwork of the ruinous remains from the paved Riverwalk trail. The "easiest" way to get to the ruins is to follow the Riverwalk Piedmont Medical Center Trail to just before mile marker 1.25; you will see this steep wooden thing with awkwardly placed planks. You basically have to rock-wall climb your way up. From there you are on a mountain biking trail. Follow the arrows for just over a quarter mile and you will see some indicators of the ruins before they open up in front of you. You will most likely have the place to yourself. Really cool to wander around and take it all in. Just be careful with holes and don't walk on or within the actual ruins as they are pretty sketch & unsteady. There are spiders, snakes, and flying insects galore, so put on repellent and stay vigilant cuz it is deep woods! You can either get back down the way you came; I found this gray rock slope that I found easier to navigate than sliding down the wood thing I climbed up. Either way, really neat find and I'm so glad I explored to find it! The paved walkway along the Catawba is also a nice walk to and from!

This two-sided marker is not far from the Rock Hill Police Department and a branch of the York…read moreCounty Library. Of course, the railroad line is also nearby. On the front side, it reads "Rock Hill Depots. The first of six railroad depots was built here in 1851 on the Charlotte & S.C. RR, after the citizens of Ebenezer objected to a new railroad yard proposed there. The town that grew up here was named Rock Hill after the flint hill found when the railroad bed was excavated. The six depots built here between 1851 and 1912 served passengers and freight for a combined 122 years. The two-story brick depot built nearby in 1912 was a local landmark until it was torn down in 1973." On the back side, "Rock Hill Street Railway. From 1891 to 1918 a street railway connected Railroad Ave., the depots, Main St., and Winthrop College. Nicknamed "Rock Hill Electric Railway," it was pulled by mules named "Lec" and "Tric" for 21 years, then ran on battery power. Its rails were salvaged during World War II. Railroad Ave. was renamed Trade St. by 1920, as the largest retail center in the area. Trade St. was all but eliminated by urban renewal in 1973. Erected by the Culture & Heritage Museums of York County and the City of Rock Hill, 2008." The markers are in great condition and are highly legible. [Review 14064 overall, 1386 of 2020, number 679 in South Carolina.]

The employee who did our tour was very knowledgeable. And it was only $4. So just do it. I love…read morevisiting different historical places and learning about the times before. It's not a huge place but held a great deal of information. Definitely worth stopping in if you're in the area.

Being from the west coast, I don't get to see many historic places. So I look forward to my annual…read morevisit to the Chartlotte area where I can go a bit further back into US history. On my latest visit, I made my way to the James K. Polk State Historic Site. The site on which it is believed that President Polk was born. There is a museum inside and recreations of period cabins outside. Also a garden and interpretive signs telling a bit about the plants that can be seen around the museum grounds. This is a free site for the most part though you can opt for a guided tour that takes you into the buildings if you are so inclined. I was there late in the day and not long before closing so the tour was no longer being offered. It was still cool to walk around and see the grounds. History doesn't quite come alive here but it becomes more tangible.

This marker stands just over the railroad tracks near the Fort Mill Historic District and provides…read moremuch context of the founding and initial settlement of the city. Fort Mill is the first city south of Charlotte, North Carolina. The front of the marker reads, "Fort Mill was established on land received in 1787 by Thomas Spratt, one of the first settlers in this area. According to local tradition, the 4,535-acre tract in Catawba Indian territory was given Spratt by the Catawbas who were grateful for his assistance in routing the Shawnees from their lands." The reverse of the marker reads, "Fort Mill is said to have taken its name from Webb's Grist Mill and a Catawba Indian fort near here. The post office was established in 1811 and named Fort Mill in 1833. Fort Mill Mfg. Co. (now Springs Mills) began here in 1887. Area native Leroy Springs later became its president. By the time of his death in 1931, Springs was a nationally-known textile magnate." This is marker number 46-21 and it was erected in 1982 by the York County Historical Commission. Fort Mill is the seat of York County. There is parking here to stop and read both sides of the marker. [Review 50 of 2025 - 1239 in South Carolina - 23619 overall]

I organized a tour for my sister's 30th birthday and they couldn't have spoken more highly of the…read moreexperience! Her and her fiancé were a little nervous going in, but came back raving about how great it was. Booking was simple and straightforward, and the pricing is more than fair! Definitely recommend!

Do not waste your time, the owner is a know it all jerk and has no social skills or ability to…read moreplan. He left us high and dry on a 16th birthday and could care less.

Carrying US-21 across the Catawba River, the Thomas B. Spratt bridge is two lanes in each direction…read morewith a breakdown lane and a raised sidewalk for pedestrians. The bridge parallels the one that is a short distance upriver (to the west) for Interstate 77. It was completed in 2013. Thomas Spratt, also known as "Kanawha", was among the earliest settlers in this area. He migrated from Pennsylvania to the area in 1750, settling near Twelve Mile Creek. Spratt was well-known for his close relationship with the Catawba Indians, frequently accompanying them on hunting parties. He earned the nickname "Kanawha" after battling alongside the Catawbas against the Shawnees on the Kanawha River in modern-day West Virginia. Spratt played a key role in arranging land leases and treaties between Catawbas and European settlers. He also served as an officer in the American Army during the Revolutionary War. The bridge is quite plain but very serviceable. The railings are quite low. There is no toll to cross the bridge. [Review 2060 of 2024 - 1151 in South Carolina - 23080 overall]

I was born in a small town and I live in a small town, time to que John Mellencamp…read more That's the way I feel about events here, nothing like the feel of a small town. I've been to this park many times over the recent years but this evening was special because my Grand was performing in the town Christmas show Choir after the Tree Lighting. The Town did such a great job adding the 2,400 square foot Amphitheater, it's a great design and a needed addition to the growing Town of Fort Mill. It's a town tradition along with the parade. They close down main street making it walkable for all the local business'. We're living in the 'post-COVID' world and it feels so good to see all the residents and hundreds of families out celebrating the season and just being together. There was so much laughter, so many smiles and it was clear to me we as a community, a town and a nation are feeling happier and more optimistic.

Came out on a Saturday to enjoy some jazz in the park. I arrived around 7:30 and the weather was…read moreperfect. I lucked up on a parking space right off the green but this place definitely needs more dedicated parking. The amphitheater is nicely located at one end of the green and away from the playground. This allowed ppl to setup their chairs and tents by the stage and families to be closer to the park area so their kids could play. The addition of bathrooms is super nice and the accommodations are great. This event included food trucks and a beer tent. You had to purchase tickets to buy beer but the ticket tent was right next to the beer tent. Can't wait for the next concert and to hopefully entice the family to come out too.

Olive's is the coziest, friendliest coffee shop in Fort Mill. Every time you come in, you can…read moreexpect to be greeted with kindness. The baristas are always welcoming and willing to provide drink recommendations! Plus, the art gallery and pottery they have for sale is beautiful and handmade by local artists. My favorite drinks are the cortado, chai or matcha. Next time you are in Downtown FM, be sure to stop in and grab a coffee or a new piece for your collection!

Very cute and eclectic vibe! They apparently offer pottery classes! My iced coffee was delicious, a…read morelittle on the strong side but I added some honey for a sweeter taste. The clerk was friendly and helpful.