I came all the way across the country to see the Lancaster County Courthouse. Well, maybe not. I…read moreactually came all this way to visit family. It just so happens that they live in the area. And so we all took a drive to Lancaster, SC to check this place out. We parked in the 3 hour street parking area and walked around outside first. There are some cool monument/memorials on the front side and back side of the old courthouse that we checked out. It was overcast, cool and breezy on this day and so we didn't waste anymore time getting into the museum. We were promptly greeted at the entrance. The lady who appeared to be the lead docent asked us to sign in and began telling us a little but of the history of the courthouse. She was on her way out, though, and so she passed along to a couple of other docents. They were all very friendly and knowledgable. They stayed nearby to answer questions and point out certain facts as we made our way from room to room. We were then guided up stairs to the actual court room. That was used until an arsonist tried burn his criminal record in 2008 nearly destroying this almost 200 year old courthouse. This museum tells the history of the area dating way back to the revolutionary days of the late 1700s. It is dedicated to more than simply the courthouse. So if you too are in the area and if you appreciate American history, stop on by. Visit for a spell. Talk to the friendly docents who can tell you more than the history but act as guides for the area. Locals know the best lunch spots ;)

This beautiful historic structure is a national historic landmark since 1976. After an arsonist…read moreattempted to destroy the building in 2008, it has been renovated and restored to its original glory. Today, it houses the Lancaster County Welcome Center and the county's Historical Museum. Built 1825-1828 and designed by Robert Mills of Charleston SC, America's first native-born professionally-trained architect, State Civil and Military engineer and is best known as the designer of the Washington Monument. Stop in when they're open and learn about the history of this area! [Review 13086 overall, 403 of 2020.]

Visiting from out of town and came across this colorful walkway…read more So much history to be learned as you walk through this beautiful little town.

With Fishing Creek winding nearby as it feeds into Fishing Creek Lake, this marker points out a…read moresignificant Revolutionary War skirmish that took place. The marker is along US-21 and there is room to stop to read it. The marker reads, "At this site on August 18, 1780 General Thomas Sumter camped with captured booty and 800 men. He was surprised and defeated by Lt. Col. Tarleton and 160 soldiers. The disaster followed only two days General Gate's defeat by Lord Cornwallis at Camden. The patriots lost 150 men killed and many captured, but Sumter escaped and soon rallied another large force." It is marker number 12-3 and it was erected in 1974 by the Chester County Historical Society. Sumter's men had halted to rest after days of marching in brutal summer heat, unaware that Tarleton had crossed the Catawba River and was closing in on their position. Tarleton launched a surprise attack while the Americans were scattered, many bathing, sleeping, or tending to captured supplies, and the result was a swift and overwhelming British victory. More than half of Sumter's force was killed or captured, though Sumter himself narrowly escaped the chaos. The defeat temporarily halted his campaign against British outposts and further strengthened Tarleton's reputation as Cornwallis's most aggressive field commander. [Review 185 of 2026 - 1380 in South Carolina - 25374 overall]

Amazing to see all the history that happened so long ago. They have so much information displayed…read moretelling the story of the Buford Massacre of 1780. You can walk through the park to get the story, but they also have some walking trails that show certain routes of different historical figures involved in this event. We took one of the shorter trails as it had just started to rain, but we will be back to take the other trails. Trails were not mowed, but they were obvious walking trails. There are some markers to show trails as well. Great place to check out of you like history or nature!

Most of the markers in the South are to do with the Civil War aka "The War of Northern…read moreAggression.". So I was surprised to come across this marker that is all about a famous battle from the Revolutionary War. If you've seen the movie The Patriot, some of it is loosely based on this story. There is a tall granite marker that is now behind a fence because it has been damaged by vandals in the past. It reads, "Erected to the memory and in honor of the brave and patriotic American soldiers who fell in the battle which occurred at this place on the 29th of May, 1780 between Col. Abraham Buford who commanded a regiment of 350 Virginians and Col. Tarelton of the British Army with 350 cavalry and a like number of infantry. "Nearly the entire command of Col. Buford were either killed or wounded. Gallant soldiers are buried in this grave that left their homes for the relief of Charleston, hearing at Camden of the surrender of that city were returning. Here their lives were ended in the service of their country. "The cruelty and barbarous massacre committed on this occasion by Tarleton and his command after the surrender of Col. Buford and his regiment originated the war cry 'Remember Tarleton's Quarters' a British historian confesses at this battle the virtue of humanity was totally forgot." A terrible tragedy but there is now an appropriate monument to their sacrifice. The area is shaded and there are several captions that map the battlefield and the incident. There is also a picnic table and parking. [Review 13103 overall, 420 of 2020.]

Standing in front of the courthouse, this marker points out a World War I instance of note. Like…read moremost North Carolina markers, the text is brief but there is more information online. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Ferdinand Foch. Commander-In-Chief of Allied armies, 1918, made a speech at the Union County Courthouse, on December 9, 1921." In the speech, he praised America's role in the war and was joined by Governor Cameron Morrison and former Governor Thomas Bickett. Foch had recently participated in the groundbreaking of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City alongside Vice President Calvin Coolidge. Known for his prophetic criticism of the Treaty of Versailles, Foch returned to Europe in 1922 and was later buried at Les Invalides in Paris beside Napoleon Bonaparte. [Review 1308 of 2025 - 4443 in North Carolina - 24860 overall]

This marker is located on the south side of Gateway Park and points out the history of a local…read morecitizen's bravery. The marker reads, "Lt. Samuel I. Parker. One of two North Carolinians awarded Medal of Honor for valor in World War I (France, 1918). Born 1 block southeast." Online, there is more information. "Robert L. Blackwell of Hurdle Mills in Person County and Samuel I. Parker of Monroe in Union County were the only North Carolinians to receive the Medal of Honor for service in World War I. The award, the military's highest, is for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty." Since the medal's creation during the Civil War, over 3,400 men and one woman have been so cited, thirty-three from North Carolina and eight of those in World War II." "Samuel Iredell Parker (nicknamed Si for his initials), a descendant of Supreme Court Justice James Iredell and Governor Abner Nash, attended the University of North Carolina, leaving for military service just prior to graduation in 1917. Part of the First Infantry Division of the American Expeditionary Force, he served on the front lines in France." "The deed for which Parker was cited took place on July 18, 1918, near Soissons, when he advanced directly into machine gun fire, killing the gunner with his pistol. During World War II he trained troops at Fort Benning, penned a manual entitled Follow Me, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Upon retirement in 1956, Parker moved from New York to Concord, his wife's hometown. He died on December 1, 1975, and is buried in Concord's Oakwood Cemetery." https://www.yelp.com/biz/oakwood-cemetery-concord?hrid=-QMFGcjN_VroHWLEfgrZtw [Review 15472 overall, 976 of 2021, number 3016 in North Carolina.]

This highway marker is not far from Andrew Jackson State Park, on the west side of 521 at Rebound…read moreRoad. It reads, "Stephen Decatur Miller. After his graduation from South Carolina College in 1808 and his admission to the bar in 1811, Miller practiced law for many years. He was one of South Carolina's foremost leaders of the states' rights movement, which culminated in the ordinance of nullification, 1832. 'A Diary From Dixie' is based upon diaries kept by his daughter, Mary Boykin Chesnut." I'm not sure why the marker is here of all places. [Review 13076 overall, 393 of 2020.]

I appreciate being able to reserve and pick up books. The area where they are kept keeps expanding…read moreas others also use this perk. The library also seems to be busy which is great as so many use digital books now, but there is just something about holding an actual book in your hand that cannot be surpassed. Love everything about the library. Great job.

We are regular library users and normally attend the Rock Hill branch, where staff are welcoming,…read moresupportive, and wonderful with families and young children. Unfortunately, since that branch is temporarily closed, our experiences at the Fort Mill branch have been the complete opposite. I am a pregnant mother of three young children (ages 4, 2, and 1) and visit alone. I make every effort to maintain appropriate library behavior, but anyone with toddlers understands they require constant supervision. On our most recent visit, a staff member named Tom H. approached me at the self-checkout without greeting or offering help and told me to "keep the volume down." When I explained I was trying my best and was actively checking out to leave, he repeated himself and walked away. At the same time, another family with loud, running children was present and not addressed at all. Afterward, I observed Tom H. discussing my family with other staff members. At no point did he ask if I needed assistance, despite clearly seeing I was managing young children alone. This interaction was upsetting and left me feeling judged, singled out, and unwelcome. Based on repeated visits, this branch does not feel like a supportive or inclusive environment for mothers with young children. Libraries should encourage early literacy and family engagement--this location does not. I hope management takes this feedback seriously so no other parent leaves feeling discouraged from bringing their children into a library.