May is a perfect month to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in South Carolina. For most Sandlappers the weather is warm and manageable without the threat of stifling humidity. To be more specific, mosquitos haven’t begun introducing themselves for the summer. Indigo Blue made an afternoon visit to Fairfield County on May 22, 2010. Maxi anticipated the “high tea” expereience in an old standby that received a recent revitalization. The promise of southern hospitality in the town of Ridgeway was encouraging to us as first time visitors. Tracing the steps of great leaders from the Revolution and Civil War was enticing for those that appreciate our past. We hoped to soak in every moment of breathtaking countryside amongst the vibrant hues of this storied place. Our final stop in Fairfield County would be a visit to a state park on the shores of Lake Wateree.

    Fairfield County has a long and storied history. Numerous Indian Tribes hunted this land of gently rolling hills and emerald green valleys. Indian artifacts can still be found along the Broad River and Lake Wateree. The county is said to have been named by British General Lord Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolution. Lord Cornwallis was impressed by its natural beauty and the ”fair fields” that dotted the landscape. Winnsboro is the county seat of Fairfield County. Winnsboro is named for Richard Winn, a Virginian that settled here before the Revolution. The county was chartered in 1785 behind the efforts of Richard Winn, John Winn and John Vanderhorst. Fairfield County’s historic courthouse was designed in 1823 by Charlestonian Robert Mills. The famous Winnsboro Town Clock is located across the street. This Antebellum structure was styled after Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. The clock, installed in 1837, is America’s oldest continually running clock. Cotton was the driving force behind Fairfield County’s economy until the boll weevil halted production in the 1920’s. Fairfield County is home to the South Carolina state stone, Winnsboro Blue Granite. The production of this stone occurred along  the Rockton and Rion Railroad Historic District  from 1883 until 1945. Many notable statues and monuments have been made from Winnsboro Blue Granite. Quarry manager Benjamin Huger Heyward dubbed the blue granite “The Silk of the Trade”. Today Fairfield County’s landscape reflects it’s agricultural roots. Recent population figures estimate the county to have about 24,000 residents.     

   Ridgeway is a hidden treasure to many first time visitors. Founded in 1799, Ridgeway was originally known as New Town. The area’s “geological ridge” allowed residents from the Midlands and Lowcountry to escape the sweltering heat of the summer months. New Town became Ridgeway when local railroad owners built the new rail on the “ridge way” instead of going through Camden. The railroad line moved north from Columbia to Winnsboro, enabling the community to grow rapidly by 1850. Today Ridgeway has a stable population of nearly 400 residents. Unlike some small towns that lack identity, Ridgeway has a personality that shines. We quickly discovered that residents of Ridgeway accept you as one of their own. Maxi and I experienced Rebecca’s of Ridgeway, the town’s signature restaurant. I had a barbecue platter that was mouth watering. Our server at Rebecca’s was very efficient and entertaining. I’ve been told that the bread pudding is out of this world, but I was too full for dessert. The atmosphere at Rebecca’s reminded us a little of Cheers, though Sam Malone was nowhere to be found. Let’s be frank, in this town everybody truly does know your name. After a superb lunch we took photos of the Ridgeway water tower. This old standby quietly looms over the historic district. Across the street we viewed South Carolina’s smallest police station. This was something I had to see in person. The building was no larger than a typical toll booth! I had heard this station was the world’s smallest, but unfortunately there are smaller police stations in London & Carrabelle, Florida. The police station was replaced in 1990 with a slightly larger facility. After a short stroll down Palmer Street we bought a few Sandlapper magazines at JavaNookBooks. This independent book store is located inside the Cotton Yard Market. JavaNookBooks sells the best in new, used, collectible and hard to find selections. The Cotton Yard Market is an ideal place to find antiques, high-end consignment items and local treasures.

    The Thomas Company and Laura’s Tea Room has quickly become Ridgeway’s most popular attraction. Nestled in the heart of Ridgeway’s quaint business district, this thriving young business is being whispered about throughout the state. The general store and tea room was opened two years ago by Carol Allen. Carol’s husband Kelly and close friend Doris Bruce helped make her dream of running the old mercantile a reality. The original business was founded in 1885 by Isaac Thomas and began as the I.C. Thomas Company. The current building was constructed in 1911. The original Thomas Company was a staple of Ridgeway for more than a century. The Thomas Company finally closed it’s doors in the early 1990’s. The vacant building was renovated in 2007. Carol and Kelly made sure the refurbished building maintained it’s original character and charm. Today the new Thomas Company is alive and well, serving the residents of Ridgeway with pride like it’s predecessor once did. The Thomas Company reminds me of a smaller Mast General Store. Various household  items like rugs, lamps, handcrafted quilts, tea pots and jewelry are sold here. There are also many USC, Clemson and Palmetto themed items for the Sandlapper in your life. The Thomas Company specializes in gift basket making for any occasion. The new mercantile runs a coffee shop that serves up cappuccino’s, lattes, hot tea and fruit smoothies. Carol’s mother, Eleanor, affectionately known as Grama, entices patrons with her baked goods. If you’re looking for good customer service and attention to detail, the Thomas Company will surely satisfy your needs.

     Laura’s Tea Room was named for the last owner of the old Thomas Company, Mrs. Laura Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was a longtime mayor, teacher and beloved resident of Ridgeway. A youthful picture of Laura Thomas greets the patrons of this elegant tea room. When Maxi and I read the reviews for Laura’s we were impressed by the near perfect rating it received from a varied audience. One reviewer gave Laura’s higher marks than tea rooms she had frequented in London and Oxford, England! Maxi was invited for High Tea with a group of her girlfriends from Columbia. High Tea at Laura’s Tea Room is served from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. from Tuesday through Saturday. Your experience begins when you select a hat to wear for High Tea. Next you will choose your cup and saucer for the ceremonial tea warming. You will then be served a glass of iced tea and a cup of hot tea. High Tea at Laura’s is a four course experience. Your first course will be a scone topped with England’s famous Devonshire creme. The next course will feature either Laura’s signature broccoli cheddar quiche or one of Grama’s soups or salads. The third course is a three tiered tray loaded with fruit and delicious tea sandwiches. Your final course will be a delicious homemade dessert. Maxi raved about her experience at Laura’s Tea Room. She was blown away by the quality of the meal and impeccable service provided by the staff. Though she dined exclusively with her group of girlfriends, Laura’s doesn’t just cater to women. Men will also find the portions to be filling and the Victorian atmosphere satisfying. It comes as no surprise that teamap.com rates Laura’s as the #1 tea room in South Carolina!

  Behind the cozy business district we spotted the railroad tracks that blaze a trail through the heart of town. Mere paces from the tracks we discovered a home that played an integral part in Fairfield County History. The Century House was built in 1853 as a private home for the James B. Coleman family. The Colemans were one of the wealthiest families in Ridgeway. The family entertained locals and eventually Lowcountry refugees during the Civil War. The house earned it’s stripes when it served as the headquarters of Confederate General P.G. T. Beauregard and his staff from February 17-19, 1865. The noted Louisianan made an important telegraph to Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee from the house as Sherman pursued him from Columbia. Today the stately Antebellum home serves as the Ridgeway Town Hall. Our last stop in Ridgeway was to Ruff Chapel. This vacant historic structure was built in 1873 and served as Ridgeway’s first Methodist church. Ruff Chapel is simple and remarkably beautiful. The church was founded by Ridgeway merchant David Ruff. Local legend says that Mr. Ruff  ”threw sixty silver dollars into the metal when the bell was cast, giving it a silvery tone.” The church bell was removed and hidden about thirty years ago after vandals attempted to steal it. The adjacent churchyard houses a small cemetery. David Ruff is buried in the cemetery overlooking his beloved village of Ridgeway. Mr. Ruff’s great-great-great-great nephew John Ruff owns the oldest business in Ridgeway, Ruff Furniture. This family run store has proudly served the citizens of Ridgeway since 1840. John’s brother Dan owns and operates Ruff Hardware, a unique store that sells everything from tools to boiled peanuts.

    Lake Wateree State Park is an outdoor paradise located on the Fairfield County side of Lake Wateree. This stunning lakeside park encompasses 238 acres on Desportes Island. Lake Wateree State Park has many activities for the avid outdoorsman. Boating, hiking and fishing are all popular pastimes at the park. Fishermen will attempt to catch the lake’s wide array of fish that includes bream, crappie, catfish and small mouthed bass. Lake Wateree also hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year. The park  has campsites available for less than $20 per night. All sites include a picnic table, electrical hookups and water. Tent and RV Camping is popular at the park. Bathroom Facilities nearby provide hot showers for those who don’t want to completely “rough it”. The park also has a general store that serves the basic needs of the park’s visitors. After a brief chat with one of the park rangers inside the store, we spotted a faint rainbow spanning the lake after a brief rain shower. Visitors to the park can also hike the Desportes Island Nature Trail. We hiked the .7 mile Desportes trail twice in the heat of the afternoon, spotting deer, bald eagles and a woodpecker along the way. After a brief glance at the shimmering sunlight on Wateree, we headed for the park’s exit. On our way out we saw fathers and sons baiting their hooks, hoping for the big catch. If only fishing was more like college football, I would fish at least twice a week. Regardless of what outdoor activity you enjoy the most, Lake Wateree will please your entire family.

    Our day in Fairfield County was one filled with treasures from all sides of the spectrum. Laura’s Tea Room provided Maxi with a memorable afternoon to mingle with her girlfriends in a refined atmosphere. Ridgeway shined with it’s small town charm, historic treasures and unique personality. We found Lake Wateree State Park to be an ideal place for families to go boating, camping or hiking. Historians will appreciate the legacies left by Cornwallis and Beauregard. It’s hard to believe that this land of rolling hills and small town charm is just a short drive from our bustling state capital. The next time you travel from Columbia to Charlotte on I-77, take the time to visit one of Fairfield County’s small communities. You might be surprised by the treasures waiting to be discovered.                

 INDIGO BLUE NOTES: We would like to give a big thank you to Mrs. Carol Allen and the entire staff at The Thomas Company/ Laura’s Tea Room. The attention to detail and customer service were second to none. Indigo Blue would also like to thank Mrs. Rebecca Watts and her staff at Rebecca’s of Ridgeway. We were given great service and felt right at home in Ridgeway’s signature restaurant. We would also like to give a plug to Ridgeway’s annual town festival, Pig on the Ridge. This event is held on the first weekend in November. Pig on the Ridge excites Ridgeway with great food, fun and fellowship.

To view a photo gallery of our trip to The Thomas Company & Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway please click HERE

To view our photos of Ridgeway & Lake Wateree State Park please click HERE

For more information on the Thomas Company & Laura’s Tea Room call (803) 337-8594 or visit their website at www.laurastearoom.com

Thomas Company & Laura’s Tea Room      105 North Palmer Street      Ridgeway, South Carolina 29130

Hours of Operation: Thomas Company      Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 A.M- 5:00 P.M.      Laura’s Tea Room      Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 A.M- 2:00 P.M.

For more information on Lake Wateree State Park please call (803) 482-6401, or visit their website at www.southcarolinaparks.com

Lake Wateree State Park      881 State Park Road      Winnsboro, South Carolina 29180

For more information on the town of Ridgeway, including Pig on the Ridge, please visit their website at www.ridgewaysc.org

   Our first year has been challenging, but the rewards have been worth the hard work. It makes us happy to promote the places we believe are unique to South Carolina. We started out with a blank canvas that continues to grow each month. Our travels have taken us to destinations that have captivated our imaginations and broadened our horizons. The back roads, battlefields and hole in the wall restaurants have given us a new appreciation for all our native state has to offer. Indigo Blue will be debuting a post on Fairfield County next week. We visited Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway and beautiful Lake Wateree State Park. The following post will be on Historic Chester and Landsford Canal State Park, located along the shores of the Catawba River. The peak bloom of Rocky Shoals spider lilies at the park is something you have to experience for yourself. We are truly humbled by the postive feedback given to our blog. Thank you to everyone who gave us a chance when we began this endeavor. We hope you continue to enjoy our travels across the Palmetto State.

Sincerely,

Stephen & Maxi Farnsworth 

 Vote for our next trip! Choose from the five candidates listed below. Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post. The place with the most votes will be our next destination!

1. Aiken County- Hopelands Gardens, Hitchcock Woods, Willcox Inn, Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, Monetta Drive-In (The Big-Mo)

2. Boykin- Swift Creek Church, Boykin Company Grille & Store, Battle of Boykin’s Mill, The Broom Place

3. Bishopville-Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden, SC Cotton Museum, Lizard Man of Scape Orr Swamp, Doc Blanchard

4. Barnwell- Church of the Holy Apostles, Barnwell Sun Dial, Miller’s Bread Basket (Blackville), Berley’s Pharmacy Soda & Ice Cream Fountain

5. Abbeville- Abbeville Opera House, Yoder’s Dutch Kitchen, Burt-Stark Mansion, Jefferson Davis Park, Trinity Episcopal Church

A preview of places we’ll visit this Fall

Rock Hill Vicinity- Historic Brattonsville, Catawba Nation, White Horse Restaurant

Oconee County-Stumphouse Tunnel/Isaqueena Falls

Fairfield County- S.C. Railroad Museum & Winnsboro

Georgetown

                     Eliza Lucas Pinckney 1722-1793

   Many women have helped mold and shape the great state of South Carolina. Today, women from varied backgrounds thrive in a country once dominated by men. Our nation has grown stronger thanks to the many contributions by women in our society. History tells us this was not always the case. Women were expected to play the common role of wife and mother. This is a story of a woman whose progressive ideals were centuries ahead of her contemporaries. This genuine lady displayed the grace and candor expected of a colonial woman, though her independent spirit helped her to achieve more than most women of her time. Her successful cultivation of indigo allowed South Carolina to become one of Great Britain’s wealthiest colonies. This 18th Century woman was best known for her association with indigo, but the life of Eliza Lucas Pinckney was lived throughout with merit, morality and substance. 

   Eliza Lucas was born on December 28, 1722 to Anne and Colonel George Lucas in Antigua, British West Indies. Eliza was the oldest of  four Lucas children. The elite colonists’ of the day sent their sons to London for the finest education money could buy. The Lucas family followed protocol by sending their sons to London, however Eliza and her sister Polly also received an English education. This endeavor was considered to be liberal and progressive for the time period. Eliza enjoyed and appreciated her opportunity for a quality education. Lucas had a fondness for music and spoke fluent French, however her love for botany trumped all other interests. In 1738 Colonel Lucas  moved his family from the small Caribbean island of Antigua to South Carolina. George Lucas’ father had recently passed, leaving his son three plantations in the Carolina Lowcountry. Lucas also thought the climate here would be more conducive to the needs of his invalid wife Anne. Eliza Lucas’ world would be turned upside down the very next year. Her father was summoned back to Antigua to fight in the War of Jenkins’ Ear, a conflict fought between Great Britain and Spain. Colonel Lucas’ sons Tommy and George were schooling in London, therefore sixteen year old Eliza became the head of the household. Eliza supervised the families three plantations, including the primary plantation at Wappoo Creek near Charleston. Eliza Lucas not only accepted the challenge, but thrived under pressure. Lucas took the opportunity to teach two slave girls to read. This was a brave endeavor, considering the recent Stono Rebellion that occurred near the Lucas home. On September 9, 1739 a literate slave named Jemmy led a major revolt along the Stono River, west of Charleston. Blood was shed on both sides, creating much tougher restrictions on slaves.

    By the Winter of 1739-40, Eliza Lucas had reached her 17th Birthday. She was expected to attend high society functions in preparation for marriage. Lucas complied with the unwritten rules of society but mostly consumed herself with the study of botany. Eliza constantly read her father’s collection of books on this subject while preparing herself for personal business ventures. Lucas and her father were extremely close. She corresponded with him regularly, seeking his advice on matters involving agriculture and family. Colonel Lucas sent his daughter indigo seeds from the West Indies to plant in South Carolina. Indigo had been cultivated for many years in the far east, especially in China, Japan and India. Eliza Lucas would attempt to become the first person to successfully cultivate indigo in North America. Like many entrepreneurs before her, Lucas did not find success in her first attempt. Her first crop was killed by a rare Charleston frost. A year later her second crop was eaten up by worms. Some people would consider giving up after multiple failures, but not Eliza Lucas. She was determined that her next crop would yield success. The third crop appeared to have hit the mark. Eliza’s father hired a man named Nicholas Cromwell from Montserrat to help with the intricate process of extracting the dye. Cromwell purposely ruined the dye, fearing that the Carolina indigo would create competition for his country. He blamed the failure on the climate, though Lucas knew this was a fabrication. She tried once again with the help of Cromwell’s brother Patrick. He made up for his brother’s dishonesty and betrayal. Together they produced seventeen pounds of indigo to export to England. The crop was an instant success. Eliza Lucas had almost single-handedly boosted the economy in South Carolina.

   Colonel Lucas was justifiably proud of his daughter. Her success with indigo was a great achievement, though running three plantations while serving as a mother figure was just as impressive.  Unfortunately George Lucas was unable to witness any of his daughter’s successes. Colonel Lucas was named Lieutenant Governor of Antigua in 1742, a post he would hold for the rest of his days. Lucas died in 1747 after being taken captive by the French. Eliza spent much of her time with her new business, but still left room for varied social pleasures. Lucas developed a close friendship with Charles Pinckney and his wife Elizabeth Lamb Pinckney. Mr. & Mrs. Pinckney had no children of their own. Elizabeth Pinckney, twenty years Eliza’s senior, came to view Lucas as the daughter she never had. Lucas visited the Pinckney home frequently. Charles Pinckney, a noted planter and lawyer, spent much of his time traveling. During his time at home, Mr. Pinckney and Ms. Lucas enjoyed conversing about great works of literature. Elizabeth Pinckney lost her year long battle with an extended illness on January 23, 1744. Charles Pinckney was left as a childless widower at the age of 45. He and Eliza soon became closer following the death of Mrs. Pinckney. Though twice her age, Charles asked for Eliza’s hand in marriage a short time later. The couple married on May 27, 1744.

    Eliza Pinckney enjoyed her new life and home at Belmont Plantation, located on a creek that fed into the Cooper River. She spent many days planting magnolias and oaks. Eliza tampered with foreign species of trees, hoping they would acclimate themselves to the Lowcountry soil. She worked with the first South Carolina botanist, Dr. Alexander Garden. The beautiful flower we know today as the gardenia is named for Alexander Garden. Eliza and Charles Pinckney had three sons and one daughter. The Pinckney’s sons were Charles Cotesworth, George and Thomas. Harriott was their only daughter. Their middle son George died in infancy in 1747. I will talk more about the Pinckney children in our notes section. Eliza spent the next several years in complete devotion to her children and husband. Eliza was known to be a free thinker for her day but still viewed her role as a mother, wife, and devout servant of Christ above everything. By the mid-18th Century indigo was an international sensation. In 1748, South Carolina exported 134,000 pounds of the profitable cash crop! In 1753 the Pinckney family left South Carolina, relocating to England. This was an exciting time in the life of Eliza Pinckney. Upon their arrival in England, Mrs. Pinckney presented the Princess of Wales with a handspun dress she had made of pure silk. The Pinckney’s traveled frequently throughout England before settling in the town of Ripley. After five happy years in Great Britain, Eliza and Charles decided it was time to come home. They left C.C. and Thomas behind to receive the finest schooling possible, while young Harriott came with them. Less than two months after their return home, Charles Pinckney developed a deadly case of malaria. After an illness that lasted three weeks, Charles died on July 12, 1758. This left Eliza lonely and heartbroken. Despite their vast age difference, the Pinckney’s had a loving and passionate marriage. Eliza refused to feel sorry for herself. Like many widows of the day, she constantly kept herself busy.

   By the early 1760’s Eliza spent much of her time corresponding with her English friends. She also wrote vigorously to her boys, who were both now in their teens. Eliza enjoyed social events with her daughter Harriott. By 1766, Harriott was courted by widower Daniel Horry. Mrs. Pinckney approved of the impending marriage. The couple wed on February 15, 1768. Mrs. Pinckney’s happiness reached an apex by the end of the decade. She welcomed her first grandchild into the world in 1769. Soon thereafter her sons returned home from England with a fine education. C.C. and Thomas had lived most of their lives on the other side of the Atlantic, but the threat of war with Great Britain brought them back to America. The entire Pinckney Family set their ties with England aside and joined the fight for American Independence. Eliza Pinckney selflessly helped finance the cause of liberty in South Carolina. Her financial prosperity dwindled significantly and her property was destroyed by the British. Eliza spent large periods of time with her daughter at Hampton Plantation. Eliza and Harriott served as spies for General Francis Marion throughout the war. By the end of the war Eliza had moved in with Harriott for good. The beautiful young girl admired by many had reached sixty years of age. Mrs. Pinckney spent her remaining years caring for her four grandchildren at Hampton Plantation. She instilled in them the same values as she did her  own children. The last major recorded event in Eliza Pinckney’s life was a grand visit to Hampton by President George Washington in 1791. Harriott and Eliza entertained the president with Southern charm and Lowcountry cuisine. During his visit he spared a large oak in the front yard from the axe. To no one’s surprise this massive live oak was named in honor of the president. In 1793 Eliza went to seek medical treatment in Philadelphia where she soon passed away. Having remembered her kindness and generosity, George Washington asked to serve as a pallbearer at her funeral.

   The contributions Eliza Lucas Pinckney made to the colony and later state of South Carolina are simply immeasurable. Pinckney’s successful cultivation of indigo gave her worldwide recognition, yet her love for family, country and the natural world should not be forgotten. Her graceful presence and genuine humility endeared her to many, including the father of our nation George Washington. For many years South Carolina has honored the beautiful deep shade of blue attributed to Lucas. One glance at our state flag reveals the perseverance of a teenage girl with an unprecedented vision. We honor that vision with the name of our site, Indigo Blue. Thank you Eliza Pinckney, South Carolinians will remember your contributions for generations to come.

INDIGO BLUE NOTES: Nearly two centuries after her death, Eliza Lucas Pinckney became the first woman elected to the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 1989. Eliza Pinckney’s children were well known throughout our new nation. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney served as a Brevet General in the Revolutionary War. After the war “C.C.” served as Minister to France and twice lost in his bid for the United States Presidency. Charles Cotesworthalso served as President of the Society of Cincinnati from 1805 until his death in 1825. Thomas Pinckney, the youngest child, also served the Patriot side of the Revolution. After the war, Thomas Pinckney served as Governor of South Carolina from 1787-89. After his term as governor, Pinckney served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain under President Washington. Late in life, Thomas Pinckney served as a general in the War of 1812.  After the death of his brother Charles in 1825, Thomas took his place as President of the Society of Cincinnati. He served in that capacity until his own death in 1828. The Pinckney’s only daughter Harriott shared many of her mother’s pure and loving qualities. She married Daniel Huger Horry in 1768. The Horry’s made their home at McClellanville’s Hampton Plantation. Like her mother, Harriott was widowed at a young age. Harriott Horry passionately supported the Patriot cause during the Revolution.

   The town of Woodruff started from very humble beginnings. One of the first families to settle the area was the clan of Joseph Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff moved his family here from North Carolina’s Yadkin River Valley in the 1780’s. Joseph Woodruff received a land grant of 200 acres after serving in the American Revolution. Early residents of the town called the area The Hill for it’s location on high ground. Years later Woodruff was dubbed The Crossroads for it’s reputation as a heavily traveled stagecoach stop. The town was given it’s official charter on March 14, 1874. Woodruff was named for Joseph Woodruff’s son Thomas a short time later. Thomas Woodruff served as a school teacher and leader in the community. One of Woodruff’’s finest days occurred in 1885 with the coming of the Charleston and Western Carolina Railroad. A large crowd cheered the promise of progress and enterprise. By 1915, Woodruff was a bustling town of over 3,000 residents. The town featured three mills, two banks, a library and a local newspaper. The textile mills were a large part of the community until they closed in the 1980’s. Woodruff’s downtown business district received a gift surpassing one million dollars in 2000 for beautification and revitalization. Due to these recent improvements, Woodruff’s beauty and spirit is evident as she passes through the 21st Century. 

   You can’t discuss Woodruff without mentioning the Woodruff High School Wolverines. This AA Classification school is known statewide for it’s illustrious football history. Longtime coach W.L. “Willie” Varner won 383 games and 10 state titles over a span of 43 years coaching the Wolverines. Varner’s win total trails only Summerville’s John McKissick for most high school football victories in state history. Willie Varner groomed several college athletes during his regime, including legendary quarterback Tony Rice. Rice led the Wolverines to two state titles as a player before taking his impressive skill set to Notre Dame. In South Bend, Tony Rice flourished under the leadership of Lou Holtz. In 1988, Rice led the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 record and the school’s 11th National Title. Tony’s success both on and off the field reflected the guidance he received at Woodruff High from Coach Willie Varner. Varner’s successful coaching career came to an end in 1996. He represented Woodruff and the state of South Carolina with class and dignity for nearly half a century. Willie Varner was bestowed our state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, on June 6, 1996. Coach Varner’s mission of giving back to the young people of Woodruff ended on January 20, 2009. His memory however will live on in the hearts and minds of Wolverines everywhere for generations to come.

    Our main focus for our visit to the Woodruff area was the annual Taste of the Backcountry Festival at the Price House. Price House is the original home of Thomas and Ann Price. This Historic 1795 home is located approximately five miles northeast of town in the Switzer Community. Price House is an imposing, yet elegant three story home built from Flemish bond brick. The brickwork is unique to Spartanburg County and Upcountry South Carolina. Examples of this style include Charleston’s Drayton Hall and Union County’s defunct Pinckneyville. Thomas Price was quite the entrepreneur of his day. He operated a post office, general store and tavern on site. The general store sold food, liquors, wine and general merchandise. This endeavor was profitable for Price. The tavern was dubbed a house of publick entertainment by Price himself. The home was essentially a modern day Bed & Breakfast by today’s standards. Ann Price was a native of Charleston. She was widowed and significantly older than Thomas when they married. The Price’s were never blessed with any children of their own. Thomas Price died in 1820, while Ann passed the following year. The Price’s left behind quite a bit of material wealth. An inventory count compiled in 1821 documents over forty pages of possessions belonging to Thomas and Ann Price.

    We arrived at the Price House at 11:00 after a short drive over from Greenville. Signs of spring filled the air on an overcast April morning. We entered the festival to the patriotic rhythm of a Revolutionary War Era Fife and Drum Band. The spirited sounds of liberty spoke to an era nearly forgotten by some. This was a time when leaders named Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Hamilton greatly impacted our fledgling nation. One of the first exhibits we witnessed was a blacksmithing demonstration by historical interpreter Bruce Mills. Bruce showed us several different forging techniques from two centuries ago. We also talked about the Revolutionary War’s impact on Spartanburg County. Before our tour of  the home, we strolled to the front lawn to witness the spectacle that is Price House. I thought about how fortunate we are to have so many people preserve our local history. Our tour of the home was given by Ms. Jaime Barnwell. Jaime gave us a a short history of the home and provided valuable facts about the luxuries Price House provided for the period. Thomas and Ann Price had closets in several of the rooms. Today we may think of closets as a foregone conclusion, but not in the Price’s day. The home is completely furnished with time period furniture. In the early 1800’s, visitors to the Price House stayed in dormitory style rooms on the third floor. The men stayed in one  room and the women slept in the room across the hall. Price House was also the only home in the county prior to 1820 to have curtains and carpets.

   Our tour continued outside as we viewed the kitchen. Jaime informed the tour group of the intricate process involving early 19th Century cooking. Some kitchen items of the period mirrored appliances we use today. At the conclusion of our tour we learned about a tragic plane crash that occurred near the property during World War II. On the morning of December 6, 1943, an A-20-G attack bomber left Florence Army Airfield headed for Greenville’s Donaldson Air Force Base. With the second anniversary of Pearl Harbor looming, Allied Forces were in desperate need of additional firepower in their quest to crush the Axis Powers. Flying in a formation with two other planes, the plane violently crashed near the Price House on Clarence Fowler’s farm. Thick cloud cover and lack of significant experience flying the A-20-G were the two main factors given for the plane’s demise. Second Lt. Hampton Worrell of Columbia, Sgt. Harry Barnes of Dodgeville, NY and Sgt. John Hickam of Pasadena, CA lost their lives in the crash. A memorial recognizes three men who paid the ultimate price outside the gate encompassing the home. Though we were saddened by the story, we gained a greater appreciation for the many sacrifices American men and women made during the second Great War.

    Taste of the Backcountry featured many demonstrations from the early 1800’s in the old slave cabin. This cabin was moved from Newberry County and carefully reconstructed on site in 2004. These slave quarters are similar to the days of Thomas and Ann Price. The Price’s owned as many as 28 slaves. Once inside, we witnessed the process of egg-dyeing. This was an appropriate activity for our Easter weekend. Another domestic art we viewed was a 19th Century weaving demonstration. This art captured our attention and imagination more than any of the exhibitions at the festival. The last demonstration in the slave cabin was hearth cooking. Many of the foods cooked here were variations of our favorite foods today. When we left the cabin we followed the scent of hickory smoke. Southern Barbecue in Spartanburg annually provides the pork barbecue for Taste of the Backcountry. Without providing a lengthy review, I will simply say this was one of the best barbecue sandwiches I’ve had in a long time. After lunch we watched several festival attendees have their antique items appraised. Every year during the festival three or four evaluators replicate ETV’s Antiques Roadshow. Festival patrons could have up to two items appraised for no additional charge. Before we left, we had an enjoyable conversation with several members of the Spartanburg Historical Society. Their dedication to the preservation of local history is astounding.

  We said our goodbyes to many of the festival participants and thanked them for a great time. I took one last look at the old homestead standing tall in the warm April sun. Our trip to Woodruff and the Switzer Community was everything we thought it would be. Taste of the Backcountry gave us a special glimpse into the daily workings of an early Upcountry Plantation.  Thanks to countless hours of hard work put into restoring the home, Price House will continue to welcome visitors for years to come. Spartanburg County preserves their history as well as any county we have visited. Somewhere Thomas and Anne Price are happy to know that their home is in good hands.

 INDIGO BLUE NOTES: Maxi and I would thank to thank Mr. Zac Cunningham and Mrs. Becky Slaton of the Spartanburg Historical Society. Zac and Becky did a wonderful job orchestrating this annual festival. The staff and volunteers at the festival did a tremendous job replicating an important time in Spartanburg’s History. We would also like to thank  Mr. Bruce Mills for sharing his 18th Century blacksmithing techniques with us. Bruce can normally be found at the Price’s House’s sister home, Walnut Grove Plantation. Thanks also goes to Jaime Barnwell, who gave us a thorough tour of the historic home.

 To view a photo gallery of our recent trip to the Price House please click HERE

For more information on Woodruff’s Price House please call (864) 596-3501, or visit their website at www.spartanburghistory.org

Hours of operation for Price House: Saturdays- April through October 11 A.M.-5 P.M.  Sundays- Year Round 2 P.M.-5 P.M.

Prices: Adults 18 & Over- $4.00      Youth (6-17) $2.50      Children 5 & Under- FREE 

Price House      1200 Oak View Farms Rd.      Woodruff, South Carolina 29388

For more information on the city of Woodruff please call (864) 476-8154, or visit their website at www.cityofwoodruff.com

      Old Man Winter has officially packed his bag for an extended trip north. Evidence of spring now fills the air in South Carolina’s Midlands region. Bradford Pears and Dogwoods bloomed an ivory white hue, similar to the canvas of snow that blanketed the ground just two weeks before. Indigo Blue made a day visit to Saluda County on March 13, 2010. The aforementioned snow had postponed our first scheduled trip to Saluda. We were eager to discover Saluda’s treasures from the past and share in her vision for the future. Maxi and I learned more about two heroes of the Texas Revolution and a historic home that needs renovations and fiscal support. We also discovered a culinary masterpiece while falling in love with a town known for its hospitality.

      Saluda County’s roots run deeper than the fertile soil that covers this hallowed ground. For centuries this was a lush land of rolling hills and Native Americans. The county is named for the Saluda River. The river creates a natural border between Saluda and Newberry Counties. The name Saluda comes from the Indian word meaning a ”river of corn”. During the 1750’s, Scots-Irish and English settlers migrated to this area. Germans had recently settled the Saxe-Gotha Township in neighboring (present day) Lexington County. The Saluda Old Town Treaty of 1755 established British sovereignty over Cherokee lands totalling 360,000 square miles. Royal Governor James Glen and beloved Cherokee Chief Kanagatucko (Old Hop) met on July 2, 1755 with an audience of nearly 1,000 men. The charismatic, yet over the top governor showered the Cherokee with lavish gifts. The meeting was held to promote goodwill and also to persuade the Cherokee to sign a treaty with England and not with France. The British and French were currently involved in the conflict Americans know as the French and Indian War. Present day Saluda County was part of Edgefield District from 1785 to 1895. On September 16,1895, Saluda County was formed from parts of Edgefield County. The original name bestowed upon the new county was Butler, but the name was changed to Saluda two days later. 

     The Saluda County Historical Society basks in the shadows of the revered county courthouse. We were graciously greeted by Mr. Frontis Hawkins, a World War II veteran who impressed us with his quick wit and vast knowledge of Saluda. The society has done an amazing  job of collecting relics pertaining to the Alamo. A striking watercolor of William Travis and James Bonham gazes across the hall with pride. Framed photos of Notable Saluda County residents and artifacts adorn the walls. Stories of Saluda’s African American History shows the struggle and triumph of a people. A small diorama of the Alamo gives an honest perspective of the brave men who gave their lives for Texas. Next door we explored the old Saluda Theater. The Saluda is an Art Deco style venue that opened its doors in 1936. This vintage theater has entertained loyal patrons since FDR occupied the White House. The theater was the hot spot for cinema in Saluda County for 45 years. Many of the seats at the venerable theater are original. The interior has experienced only slight modifications since opening day. The movie reel and screen have been packed away since 1981, but Saluda Theater still thrives. Local schools and civic groups perform year round on a stage that has weathered the test of time. Revered Irish Harpist Claire Roche was in town to play the Saluda Theater that night. This talented Dublin native is known for her performances in elegant 19th Century Dress and her timeless 200 year old Irish Harp. We were unable to attend the performance that night, but we know we must come back sometime to see a live show.    

       Bonham House is thought to be the only birthplace of an Alamo defender still standing. This historic home is also known as Flat Grove and Winehall. Bonham House is located east of Saluda just off  Hwy. 178. The home was built circa 1780 by Mr. Jacob Smith. Smith left the home to his daughter Sophia Smith Bonham and her husband James Bonham. Bonham House was originally a four room dog-trot style home built of logs and sheathed with clapboard. This historic home was the birthplace of two noted South Carolinians, James Butler Bonham and Milledge Luke Bonham. Jim Bonham, a lawyer by trade, fought bravely at the Alamo. He served as a messenger under the command of his second cousin William Travis. Bonham’s bravery during the siege became the stuff of legend. He rode back into the fort amidst shot and shell to die with his boyhood friend. Milledge Bonham served as a Confederate General during the Civil War. He also served as South Carolina’s Governor during the conflict from 1862-64. Bonham House was one of the finest dwellings in the area. The home has seen significant additions over the years. After his parents death, Milledge inherited the home. He sold Flat Grove to the Matthews Family after the conclusion of the Civil War. The Bonhams and Matthews remain the only families to have lived in this historic home. Edwin Matthews deeded the home to the Saluda County Historical Society in 1989. The home has recently been revitalized, thanks to private donations and tireless work by the Historical Society. Bonham House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 30,1974.

        We left Bonham House and headed for our next destination, the 19th Century Marsh-Johnson House. On our way we stopped to pay our respects to the site of William Travis’ birth. The homestead of this Alamo hero no longer stands, but a memorial honors him across the street. The State of Texas and Saluda County combined finances to create this emotional tribute. Travis’ letter titled “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World” is displayed proudly on the marker. We left the Travis Memorial and ventured on to the Marsh-Johnson House. This early example of a backcountry plantation is located at the intersection of Fruit Hill Rd. & Rocky Creek Rd., near Edgefield County. The Marsh-Johnson House was built sometime before 1817, but the exact date of completion is unknown. This 200 year old home is one of the oldest intact log homes in South Carolina. The house rests on large brick piers laid in Flemish bond. This log home was typical in South Carolina until the 1850’s. Bryan Marsh, a prosperous planter, was the original owner of the home. In 1847 the Johnson Family bought the house and surrounding property. It stayed in the Johnson Family until World War II. Marsh-Johnson House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1982. The home and one acre was donated by Virginia Witt to the Saluda County Historical Society in 1990. This historic home has sadly fallen on hard times. The historical society has made saving Marsh-Johnson a priority for 2010. South Carolina, Marsh-Johnson House needs your help! Donations can be made by contacting the historical society.

     Downtown Saluda does a tremendous job of honoring its heroes from the past. A stroll around the courthouse grounds gives a glimpse of Saluda’s brave citizens that died fighting the Mexican Army. The monument to William Travis and James Bonham is flanked by the flags of South Carolina and Texas blowing in the breeze. Another marker is dedicated to Pierce Mason Butler. Pierce M. Butler served as Governor of South Carolina from 1836-38. Colonel Butler died commanding the Palmetto Regiment at Churubusco on August 20,1847, during the Mexican-American War. The marker on the courthouse grounds honors the Palmetto Regiment and their leader, Pierce Butler. The Saluda Old Town Treaty tablet is displayed on the grounds here. Across the street, the mural of this important treaty was painted by Ralph Waldrop in 1985. South Carolina has many alluring town murals, but this ranks with the best. The courthouse itself is the centerpiece of Downtown Saluda. This stately building has been a bastion of law in Saluda for nearly a century.

        We discovered pure culinary bliss in the heart of Ridge Spring. Locals and tourists alike can’t help but spot the inviting letters that spell out ”Juniper” on East Main. Chef/Owner Brandon Velie and his wife Jeanne have turned a tired, century old building into a complete dining experience. Juniper opened it’s doors in July of 2005. In less than five years, the restaurant’s penchant for quality cuisine in Ridge Spring has rendered the locals speechless. The lunch menu at Juniper offers a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads. Dinner at Juniper offers a hint of sophistication. Juniper offers both daily meals at an affordable price for varied budgets. Juniper offers big and small plates for all dinner entrees with a revolving weekly menu. Chef Velie has offered assorted entrees such as the Cornmeal Crusted Mississippi Catfish, Pimento Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast and Low Country Spiced Shrimp and Grits. Upon arrival, we were immediately given a warm welcome from Juniper’s Dewayne Ligons. Maxi started out with the restaurants signature soup, corn chowder. New England, the South has answered with a fine chow-da of it’s own. While we waited for our meal, we sipped on ice cold sweet tea served in Mason Jars. Juniper is a perfect blend of Old and New South. The exterior reflects a simpler time, but the retro 1950’s atmosphere inside invigorates the senses. Juniper supports SC Farmers, so you know you’re getting the best in local produce. I had the Pesto Chicken sandwich on Ciabatta bread with black-eyed pea salad and potato salad. The chicken was well seasoned and the pesto sauce delighted my taste buds. The black-eyed pea salad was a great twist on a Southern favorite. Stuffed and satisfied, our lofty expectations of Juniper were met. We had an enjoyable meal surrounded by quality people. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be back!  

       Ridge Spring is a lovely rural farming town of around 900 residents. Founded in 1771, the Ridge will seduce you with small town ambiance and throwback generosity. Our state has many towns that mirror the size of Ridge Spring, yet few can touch her beauty, history and spirit. This “Mayberry” like town features a tree lined main street filled with businesses and memories from the town’s storied past. We shared pleasantries with the staff at Stuff and Things, a great place to shop for vintage treasures on Main Street. We bought a picture of Riverbanks Zoo from the 1980’s. The Ridge Spring Library is quaint and cozy. A popular weekly event at this local nook is Children’s Corner, held each Thursday at 10:30 A.M. Across the street  from the library you’ll spot the Ridge Spring Nut House. The Nut House is a pecan haven. You’ll be enticed by spiced, shelled, roasted and chocolate covered pecans. The Nut House offers pecan gift tins for the Holiday season, or any season for that matter. Our last stop in town was the historic Ridge Spring Cemetery. Opened in the early 1800’s, this historic graveyard was the final resting place for the Watson and Boatwright Families. The graveyard was eventually enlarged and became the town cemetery. William H. Scarborough, famed 19th Century South Carolina portrait painter, is buried here.

        East of Ridge Spring on Hwy. 23 we spotted a small sign adorned with a peach that read ”Welcome to Monetta”. Monetta is smaller than Ridge Spring, yet she remains noteworthy. This hamlet straddles the Aiken County border, though the center of town is in Saluda. Monetta was named for the daughter of a local Indian Chief. Monetta proudly claims a visit from the Father of our Country. President George Washington stayed at the home of Jacob Odom on his noted 1791 trip to South Carolina. The home no longer remains, but the state has placed a marker here to record the event. Monetta has a railroad track that runs right through the heart of town. The scene reminded us of the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes. The town post office stands simple and proud in this community of 250. Monetta’s largest attraction is the Monetta Drive-In, known to most Sandlappers as the Big-Mo. The Big-Mo is the state’s most prominent and successful drive-in theater. Unfortunately, we cannot fully include the Big Mo in our Saluda County post. This classic drive-in is located on the Aiken side of Monetta. We will be making a visit to the Big-Mo this summer when we visit Aiken County. We can hardly wait to see our first drive-in movie!

        We left Monetta, following the path we had blazed through the heart of Saluda County. Flowing pastures with grazing cattle advertised the agricultural majority that encompasses this county of 19,000 inhabitants. Midway between Ridge Spring and Saluda we spotted a rarity in rural South Carolina, a Roman Catholic Church. Saint William’s Catholic teemed with simple beauty. A statue of the Virgin Mary adorned the churchyard in quiet reverence. We left this rural church and headed back to get a few more shots of the Saluda Town Square. Partly cloudy skies turned gray and rain started to fall. After a short rain shower we looked heavenward and saw a rainbow looming overhead. It was a fitting end to a day full of Alamo stories, historic homes, good eats and small town charm. Saluda County might not have the technological drive of  South Carolina’s metropolitan counties, but that’s fine by me. People here seem to genuinely enjoy conversing with their fellow man. Saluda County’s graceful pace is a prime example of why our elders say they miss the good ol’ days. Here in Saluda, heroes from the past are honored and visitors are treated like old friends. After all, that’s what Southern Hospitality is all about.

INDIGO BLUE NOTES: Indigo Blue would like to give a big thank you to several people who made our trip to Saluda County very special. Meade and Aubrey Hendrix of the Saluda Historical Society took time out of their Saturday morning to drive us all over the county. We visited such treasures as the Marsh- Johnson House, Bonham House (Flat Grove) and the William B. Travis Memorial. This couple of nearly 50 years has donated countless hours to the preservation of Saluda County’s old standbys. We would also like to thank Mr. Frontis Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins is 90 years young and has a great love for life. He gave us valuable information on Saluda’s Alamo Heroes as well as the history of the adjacent Saluda Theater. Also, the staff of Ridge Spring’s Juniper Restaurant was fabulous. The service was impeccable and the food was out of this world! Thanks Dewayne!!

To see photos of our trip to Saluda County please click HERE

To see photos of Bonham House (Flat Grove) please click HERE

To see photos of Juniper please click HERE

For more information on Bonham House (Flat Grove), Saluda Theater and the Marsh- Johnson House, please contact the Saluda County Historical Society at (864) 445-8550, or visit their website at www.saludacountyhistoricalsociety.org

For more information on Ridge Spring’s Juniper Restaurant please contact them at (803) 685-7547

Juniper     640 East Main Street     Ridge Spring, South Carolina 29129

For more information on the town of Ridge Spring (including Juniper) please visit their website at www.ridgespringsc.com

For more information on Ridge Spring Nut House please call (803) 685-5335, or visit their website at www.ridgespringnuthouse.com

 Indigo Blue would like to give a plug to Ms. Melissa (Missy) Zakes of  Ward, SC. We have bought handmade crafts from Missy at the McCormick Gold Rush Festival two years running. She has a vast collection of kitchen items, wreaths, baby items and floral arrangements. We proudly display two of her handmade Palmetto kitchen items in our house. Both items are tastefully adorned with our state flag. Missy is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. To acquire more information on Missy’s handmade crafts call (803) 685-5691. (The town of Ward is located directly between Johnston and Ridge Spring)

    Congratulations to our three winners for Palmetto Pop Quiz Volume 1!!! 1st Place (Tie)- Linda Allen of Greenville 92 points/ 1st Place (Tie)- Margaret Cox of Greer 92 points/ 3rd Place- Nancy Mauldin of Anderson 80 points- Thank you to everyone who participated. We hope you learned a few interesting facts about South Carolina. The answers will be displayed in bold face below.

Palmetto Pop Quiz: How well do you know the Palmetto State?                     

1. What state park is known for its remnants of an 1820’s canal system and Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies that bloom in late spring on the Catawba River?

A. Devils Fork State Park

B. Givhans Ferry State Park

C. Landsford Canal State Park

D. Santee State Park

2. Kings Mountain National Military Park is located in two South Carolina Counties. Name them.

A. Greenville & Spartanburg

B. McCormick & Abbeville

C. York & Lancaster

D. Cherokee & York

3. South Carolina is home to four signers of our nation’s most storied document, the Declaration of Independence. Name these four men:

A. Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter, Henry Laurens, Andrew Pickens

B. Peter Horry, Henry Middleton, Strom Thurmond, Richard Manning

C. Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, Edward Rutledge

D. Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, Stephen Colbert, Pierce Butler

4. What is South Carolina’s Official Hospitality Beverage?

A. Pink Lemonade

B. Sprite

C. Tea

C. Coca-Cola

5.  What former U.S. President was born in South Carolina?

A. John Tyler

B. Andrew Johnson

C. William Henry Harrison

D. Andrew Jackson

6. What Kershaw County town hosts the Carolina Cup each March?

A. Sumter

B. Orangeburg

C. Beaufort

D. Camden

7. Which of these universities/colleges boasts the state’s largest enrollment?

A. Coastal Carolina University

B. University of South Carolina

C. Clemson University

D. College of Charleston

8. Where does South Carolina rank in total area among the fifty states?

A. 13th

B. 29th

C. 47th

D. 40th

9. South Carolina’s first permanent European settlement occurred in the year ____ in Charles Towne (Charleston)?

A. 1670

B. 1892

C. 1701

D. 1860

10. South Carolina’s famous “Peachoid” celebrates its 30th Birthday next year. What town houses this noted water tower?

A. Kingstree

B. Chester

C. Moncks Corner

D. Gaffney

11. Which of these following lakes is our state’s largest, covering nearly 110,000 acres?

A. Marion

B. Hartwell

C. Moultrie

D. Thurmond

12. South Carolina’s Governor from 1979-87 was…

A. Jim Hodges

B. Dick Riley

C. Carroll Campbell

D. Mark Sanford

13. The South Carolina Tobacco Museum is located in what Pee Dee town?

A. Latta

B. Hartsville

C. Lamar

D. Mullins

14. Presbyterian College is located in what Upcountry town?

A. Roebuck

B. Clinton

C. Newberry

D. Westminster

15. South Carolina’s official state color is….

A. Yellow

B. Garnet

C. Indigo Blue

D. Northwestern Purple

16. True or False: South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860.

A. True

B. False

17. South Carolina’s second oldest city is ___, founded in 1711.

A. Columbia

B. Florence

C. Summerville

D. Beaufort

18. A native of South Carolina is affectionately known as a …..

A. Tar Heel

B. Buckeye

C. Sandlapper

D. Texan

19. What South Carolinian served as Vice President under Andrew Jackson?

A. Ben Tillman

B. Strom Thurmond

C. John C. Calhoun

D. Joel Poinsett

20. What Aiken County town is famous for the Chitlin’ Strut, held annually since 1966?

A. Elloree

B. Salley

C. Bethune

D. Bamberg

21. The Miniature Golf Capital of the World is located in this Grand Strand city:

A. Charleston

B. Edisto Island

C. Pawleys Island

D. Myrtle Beach

22. What Old 96 District town is nicknamed the ”Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy”?

A. Laurens

B. Abbeville

C. McCormick

D. Edgefield

23. This county is home to two attractions inspired by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park. Name this county.

A. Berkeley

B. Georgetown

C. Colleton

D. Williamsburg

24. This Revolutionary War Hero was the last surviving general officer of the war, passing at 97 years of age in 1832. Name this general.

A. Nathaniel Greene

B. Andrew Pickens

C. Thomas Sumter

D. Francis Marion

25. The only lighthouse in South Carolina open to the public can be found at this state park:

A. Myrtle Beach State Park

B. Edisto Beach State Park

C. Hunting Island State Park

D. Huntington Beach State Park

Extra Credit

1. Name the three most populated counties in South Carolina in order from 1-3.   Greenville, Richland, Charleston

2. Name the State Dog.   Boykin Spaniel

3. Where is Edisto Memorial Gardens Located?   Orangeburg

4. What county is home to Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina’s highest point at 3,560 feet?   Pickens

Grades:

101-105 points- You must be related to Walter Edgar (South Carolina Historian)

88-100 points- You must be a South Carolina Native- Well Done!!!

72-87 points- You have a solid overall knowledge of SC Facts

60-71 points- Not bad for your first try

59 & Under- Better luck next time!!

    James Butler Bonham 1807-1836

    It’s long been said that only the good die young. Some people are born to take a stand for what they believe, while some sit back and watch life pass them by. James Butler Bonham was a man known for his strong convictions. This brave hero of the Alamo never took the easy way out during his somewhat abbreviated life. He sometimes went to great lengths to give an opinion if he felt moved to do so. Courage and loyalty were two of the greatest attributes he possessed. This 19th Century South Carolinian gave his life at the tender age of 29 helping Texans gain their independence from Mexico. His selfless actions inspired the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”  This is a story about James Bonham.

    James Butler Bonham was born on February 20, 1807 to James and Sophia Bonham in Red Bank, (Saluda) South Carolina. James Bonham was the fifth of eight children. Jim was born at the historic ca. 1780 home Flat Grove, commonly called Bonham House today. The Bonham children were taught values and leadership from a young age. James’ youngest brother Milledge Luke led regiments in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Milledge was a highly respected Confederate General who also served as Governor of South Carolina from 1862-64. At this point in time present day Saluda County was part of the old Edgefield District. James Bonham’s childhood was one filled with happiness and later tragedy. He went to an “old field school” near his home. These schools were generally made of log construction, had poor heating and were dimly lit. Despite the lack of pomp and circumstance involving his schooling, James put forth great effort and excelled. Jim Bonham was loyal to his family and his home state throughout his life. As a young child he carried his brother Milledge on his shoulders on their way to school. He protected his younger siblings with a paternal instinct. This kindness and generosity would serve Bonham well throughout his entire life. At the tender age of eight, Jim’s father James Sr. passed away. Mrs. Bonham was widowed with a house full of children. Fortunately Sophia Bonham was left with a sizable estate from her late father as well as her husband. Jim grew up tall and strong. He reached a height of six feet two inches with cold black hair and dark eyes. His father’s death had forced Jim to grow up faster than most young men. By the age of 17 he had prepared himself for higher academic studies. 

   James was admitted to South Carolina College (USC) in the Fall of 1824. During his time in Columbia he developed a passion for states rights. Bonham excelled academically at South Carolina College. In his sophomore year, Bonham served in a cadet company that honored the Marquis de Lafayette when the French hero visited Columbia. Bonham also belonged to a distinguished literary society at Carolina. Jim was heavily influenced by university president Dr. Thomas Cooper. Cooper was known for his brilliance and inventiveness, but many Columbia residents blasted his Agnostic views and liberal thinking. Carolina students wholeheartedly admired Dr. Cooper. They universally adopted his views on nullification and secession. In 1827, future Governor William Henry Gist led a protest regarding living conditions and the quality of food served at the college. Bonham was a participant in the protest. This act of defiance, though filled with passion, infuriated school officials. The entire senior class was expelled from school, including James Bonham. 

   James Bonham felt a strong calling to practice law. In 1830 he was admitted to the South Carolina bar. Bonham relocated to the Upcountry town of Pendleton, looking for a new start. During one of his first cases, Jim Bonham caned an attorney who insulted his female client. When asked to aplogize by the presiding judge, Bonham threatened to “tweak his nose”. His act of defiance defending the honor of his client earned him three months in jail. To no one’s surprise, Bonham was a strong supporter of state’s rights. At this time revered South Carolina senator John C. Calhoun was serving as Vice President under Andrew Jackson. While Calhoun was in Washington, he kept a close eye on the politics involving his home state. Calhoun was the poster child for state’s rights and nullification. At the height of the Nullification Crisis Jim Bonham was selected as an aide to Governor James Hamilton. Bonham and Hamilton opposed the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Federal Government. Hamilton gave Bonham the rank of lieutenant colonel and sent him to Charleston to lead an artillery battery. South Carolina prepared for a military struggle with the United States. President Jackson made it clear that he would take action against his native state if need be. Fortunately Henry Clay of Kentucky struck a deal in Congress to gradually lift the tariff, therefore no blood was shed. Now that the crisis was averted, Bonham left Charleston and headed back to Pendleton.

    Once he returned to Pendleton, Bonham resumed his law practice. Eighteen months later Jim left South Carolina for Montgomery, Alabama. The only letter known to be written by Bonham was penned to his mother in October of 1834. Jim’s affectionate nature and love for his family were evident throughout the text. Bonham practiced law in Montgomery for about a year. Sometime in the early Fall of 1835 James Bonham received a letter from his boyhood friend William Travis. Travis said, “These are stirring times in Texas; come take a part in it.” On October 17th he led a support rally at Mobile’s Shakespeare Theater promoting Texas independence. Within two weeks Bonham organized a volunteer militia called the Mobile Greys. Within a month he was in Texas, readying himself to join the cause. He developed a stirring correspondence with General Sam Houston that left the Texas legend impressed. Bonham declined any payment or property for his service to the Republic of Texas. Houston and Bonham formed an immediate bond in a time of turmoil. Sam Houston lobbied for James Bonham to be promoted to the rank of major, a sign of his appreciation for the young man’s patriotism. Bonham was sent with Jim Bowie to help re-fortify the Alamo, a former Spanish mission in San Antonio de Bexar. It was here that a young man from Red Bank, South Carolina would meet his maker, becoming a legend in the process.

   Jim Bonham entered the Alamo with Jim Bowie on January 19, 1836. Once inside the fort, Bonham was selected to a committee to draft a preamble on behalf of the garrison in support of Gov. Smith. As word spread that Santa Anna’s large force was headed towards San Antonio, William Travis sent Jim Bonham to seek reinforcements. On February 16th Bonham left the Alamo for Goliad, hoping to solidify the valiant garrison of 150 men. Upon arrival at Goliad, Bonham pleaded for help from James Fannin. The plea fell on deaf ears, though Fannin decided to give assistance a week later. His reinforcement efforts were too late. Bonham then visited Gonzalez, where 32 men made the pledge to give their lives for Texas. Bonham arrived in Bexar on March 3rd. Every recruit had safely arrived in the fort when Bonham rode into the history books. Amid massive shot and shell, James Bonham rode his cream colored horse untouched through Mexican lines to die with his boyhood friend. After 13 days of holding out against impossible odds, less than 200 Texians took on Santa Anna’s Army of 4,000 on March 6th. The brave insurgents repelled two attacks, but the self-proclaimed “Napoleon of the West” hurled more men at the Alamo. The Mexicans quickly scaled the walls, ending the lives of every defender. Bonham died manning one of the cannons in the interior chapel. The cruel Mexican dictator burned the bodies in a funeral pyre.” Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry of a republic. Six weeks later Sam Houston’s troops defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Houston spared the dictator’s life, gaining Texas in the process.

   Only God knows what Jim Bonham’s life could’ve held, had he not perished in the Alamo. He accomplished so much in his short life, yet it’s easy to wonder what could have been. I like to think he would have made a fine governor, leading the way for our state like his brother did years later. Regardless of what path he might have chosen, it’s clear he would have followed it with passion and plea. When we visited Bonham’s boyhood home last month, I stood stoicly in his room while the faint sunlight passed through the old window panes. I wondered if he could have fathomed the impact he would later have on so many American lives. We also passed the shores of Red Bank Creek, where two boys that paid the ultimate price once played amongst old Cherokee footprints. James Bonham’s story of courage and valor lives on through the tales told about his life. Some of the details told about him have nearly approached Paul Bunyan status. After all, everyone loves to believe in their heroes. James Bonham just happens to be one of mine. 

 To view a photo gallery of our trip to Bonham House, home of James Bonham, please click here.

INDIGO BLUE NOTES: Bonham House (Flat Grove), birthplace of James Butler Bonham, remains the only birthplace still standing of any Alamo defender. You can visit the Bonham home by appointment only. For more information on Bonham House (Flat Grove) please contact the Saluda County Historical Society at (864)445-8550, or visit their website at www.saludacountyhistoricalsociety.org

   William Barret Travis  1809-1836

    Throughout history, odds have helped determine likely outcomes in countless situations. Some appear to be obvious, while others seem nearly unfathomable. There were less than 200 brave men making a last desperate stand at the Alamo. What would the odds be that two boys from Edgefield District (Saluda County) would make history together in the heart of Texas? For the first time in eighteen years William Travis and James Bonham met face to face. The lives of two boys from Red Bank, (Saluda) South Carolina had come full circle. The life of William Travis had it’s share of ups and downs, but his final days were a shining example of courage and patriotism for the ages. Facing impossible odds, William Travis used his God-given determination to fight a struggle that could not be won.

   William Barret Travis was born on August 9, 1809 in Red Bank, (Saluda) South Carolina to Mark and Jemima Travis. Will was the eldest of eleven children. Thanks to his status as the oldest child, Travis learned valuable leadership skills at an early age. William and his siblings led a very happy childhood in Red Bank. Travis’ youth revolved around this small community located near present day Saluda. He and his family were faithful members of the Red Bank Baptist Church. William worked diligently on his chores at the family farm. He was home schooled and therefore received a far better education than most of the area kids. Most area kids went to old field schools that lacked academic structure. This was an advantage the Travis’ had by accumulating moderate wealth. For recreation, Will enjoyed playing in the woods with the other local boys along the shores of Red Bank Creek. To this day, the area around his birthplace is very rural. One of his childhood friends was a boy named James Bonham. James was two years older than William, though Travis was mature well beyond his years. The Travis’ and Bonhams’ attended Red Bank Baptist Church together. Jim Bonham was sad to hear his friend William was leaving Red Bank. There was no way to predict the fate that awaited them down the road in the Alamo. Some friendships never die.

   The Travis Family left South Carolina in 1818 for Conecuh County, Alabama. The independent William Travis was just nine years old. After their arrival in Alabama, the Travis’  helped form the towns of Sparta and Evergreen. Will first attended school at the local Sparta Academy. After graduation, his uncle Alexander Travis enrolled William in a school in Claiborne. There the brilliant Travis soon became an assistant teacher to some of the younger students. William Travis enjoyed teaching, but always dreamed of practicing law. James Dellet, a former secretary in the Alabama House of Representatives, was Claiborne’s most accomplished attorney. He provided Travis with an apprenticeship at his law office. Dellet, like Travis, spent a fair portion of his life in South Carolina. James Dellet moved to Columbia from Camden, New Jersey when he was twelve. Dellet graduated from South Carolina College (USC) in 1810. He often referred to South Carolina as his “mother state”. 

    Under James Dellet’s guidance, William Travis’ aspirations for practicing law were now realized. Travis became a partner in Dellet’s firm. During this time William fell in love with one of his former students, sixteen year old Rosanna Cato. The feeling between the two was mutual. Rosanna was attracted to Travis’ strawberry blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He had accomplished much more than most men his age. After a short courtship, Travis and Cato were married on October 26, 1828. Approximately nine months later their first child Charles Edward was born. Travis started the Claiborne Herald newspaper as he approached his 20th Birthday. William’s life appeared to be content at this time, but inside a storm was brewing. Despite his many successes outside of family life, his marriage was nothing short of a train wreck. About a year later he left his pregnant wife and son and headed to Texas. Travis had suspected Rosanna of infidelity, questioning the paternity of his daughter Susan.

         Travis began his new life in 1831, illegally settling in the town of Anahuac, Texas. Mexican law had curtailed immigration in 1830 for fear of Texas’ annexation to the United States. Travis, for all intents and purposes, was an illegal immigrant. Anahuac was an important town in the early 1830’s, for it served as a port city on Galveston Bay. Travis set up a law practice there in a town with very sporadic legal counsel. While in Anahuac he became fluent in Spanish, the official language of the locals. He constantly studied Mexican Law while readying himself to defy it. Juan Davis Bradburn commanded the garrison at Anahuac. Bradburn, formerly named John Bradburn, was a former American Citizen that spent years fighting with the Mexican Army. Juan Bradburn was suspicious of all Anglo settlers in the area. He developed a strong dislike for the Texians, who in turn loathed his dictatorial style. He arrested William Travis and his law partner Patrick Jack after Bradburn received a fake letter involving the return of two slaves he had given protection. According to Mexican law, Bradburn needed no warrant to arrest Travis and Jack. American settlers were not used to this lack of justice and began to protest. Angry Texians marched on Anahuac, later chasing Bradburn from town. Bradburn escaped, but several of his officers were tarred and feathered. This incident started the Anahuac Disturbances of 1832. This incident eventually led to the Texas Revolution years later.

    During the Fall of 1835 William and Rosanna finally divorced. Rosanna received custody of Susan and William received custody of Charles. Travis sent his only son to stay with his close friend David Ayres. The Texas Revolution officially began at the Battle of Gonzalez in October 1835. Travis arrived too late to participate in the battle. William Travis played a small part in the Siege of Bexar (San Antonio) the next month. Here Texians soundly defeated the Mexican Army led by Martin Perfecto de Cos. This would be one of the few great moments of the Revolution for Texians until Santa Anna’s surrender at San Jacinto. In December, Travis was commissioned a lieutenant of the Texas army. He also received an appointment as the chief recruiting officer in Texas. Acting governor Henry Smith asked Travis to lead a unit to reinforce the Alamo. William was unable to recruit a substantial group of men to fight. This highly embarrassed and humiliated the young officer. Travis arrived in San Antonio de Bexar in early February.

   It could be argued that Will Travis had more to gain in terms of respect and honor than most men in the Alamo. His reputation suffered among  fellow comrades at the old mission. Travis always looked the part of a great soldier with his impeccable choice of uniforms. His attention to detail regarding outward appearance was astounding. He was more polished and educated than any man there. Though it sounds cliche, he always looked the part. Travis’ reputation for gambling, infidelity and desertion of family unfortunately followed him like a plague. Most of the men fighting for Texas Independence embodied the tough frontier spirit of Davy Crockett. Travis was a “dandy” to most of them. Captain James C. Neill was the original commander of the Alamo garrison. In mid-February 1836 he took a furlough to be with his sick family. He left William Travis in charge of the regular troops and Jim Bowie in charge of the volunteers. When Neill left the Alamo, Bowie refused to answer to Travis. The two men decided to have a vote on who would command the fort. Jim Bowie was chosen by a large margin. Travis continued to pay for the bad choices he had made in his life. After this incident, the South Carolina native became determined to find himself once more. His letter titled “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World” inspired Texians to rise up and defy Mexico. Approximately one week before the climax of the battle, Bowie became bedridden with a serious illness. Travis was now in sole command. Here, in the final weeks of his life, William Travis suddenly became an honorable man. The great moral code and solid character he possessed as a young man had returned just in time for him to make history.

    By March 3rd the brave patriots of the Alamo had held off Santa Anna’s large army for approximately ten days. Travis’ childhood friend Jim Bonham valliantly returned through enemy lines with a letter from Robert Williamson. The letter stated that help was on the way, but Travis started to face the stark reality that death or surrender were his two options. He wanted his children to remember their father as someone who acted selflessly through great peril, something he failed to shown them previously. On March 4th or 5th, William Travis made his famous “line in the sand” speech. He made an honest and forthright plea to the defenders of the Alamo. Travis let them know that they could die for Texas, or leave the fort of their own will. He drew his shining sword from his side and made a clean sweep across the cold Texas sand. The decision of over 180 men to stay and fight was a testament to the leadership and nobility of William Travis. Only one man decided to leave the fort. The gravely ill Jim Bowie demanded to stay and die with his comrades. Bowie had Crockett and other soldiers carry his cot across the line. Travis’ ability to persuade people was always there. He now found a way to convince people without using a hidden agenda. When Travis first took command of the fort his men only wanted to fight for Jim Bowie. By the morning of March 6th, every man in the Alamo was willing to lay down their life under the leadership of  William Travis.

     On a chilly Sunday morning Santa Anna gave the order to abruptly end the siege. The Mexican dictator was ready to sacrifice his men at any cost. Provisions and ammunition were running low amongst the insurgents. Just before dawn the Mexican Army made a final advancement on the old mission. The Texians were exhausted, but they were ready to die with honor. Santa Anna’s goal was to overwhelm the brave occupants of the mission. The Texians fought with a valor and spirit that warranted independence. The Mexicans came charging towards the mission, but twice they were pushed back. This angered and frustrated the Mexican dictator. He ordered a third and final charge, which proved to be fatal for the Americans. One of the first defenders killed was William Barret Travis. He received a single bullet to the head that killed him almost instantly. The Mexican Army scaled the walls of the Alamo, pouring in like a swarm of bees. The battle soon became a rout. A few Texians attempted to surrender, but the Mexicans gave no quarter. Two of the last soldiers to die were Davey Crockett and Jim Bonham. Every last defender in the Alamo perished that morning. After the battle, Santa Anna surveyed the fort’s damage. He allowed all the women, children and slaves to go free. This victory would prove costly for the Mexican dictator. Travis’ poignant letter inspired many to join the cause. Seven weeks later at San Jacinto, Sam Houston’s Texian forces crushed Santa Anna’s Army in a paltry eighteen minutes. Houston spared the dictator’s life in exchange for Texas. Nine years later Texas was admitted as our 28th state.

    Thanks to the bravery and eloquent words spoken by William Barret Travis, Texas achieved its independence. Though he moved from his home in South Carolina at age nine, Sandlappers everywhere proudly claim Travis as their native son. His native (present day) Saluda County has honored him and his lifelong comrade James Bonham with a memorial on the town square. The flags of South Carolina and Texas gently wave in the wind in remembrance of their brave deeds. Saluda County and the State of Texas have erected a handsome memorial to Travis across the road from his boyhood home. He gave his life for a cause he deeply believed in. The patriotism of William Travis rings true 174 years after his passing. His famous letter boldly stated VICTORY OR DEATH. In death, William Travis achieved victory. I am proud to say this Hero of the Alamo is a Notable South Carolinian.

     The Waxhaw Settlement of North and South Carolina has always intrigued me. History and heroes have defined centuries of tradition here. The area known today as the Waxhaws is fairly large. The Waxhaws covers an area from the Catawba River in the west to Monroe, NC in the east. The northern boundary is south of Charlotte, while the southern boundary is the city of Lancaster. The Waxhaws are named for the proud Indian tribe of the same name. It’s said these Native Americans named themselves for the “waxy-looking leaves of the hawthorn bush”. The Waxhaw Tribe inhabited this land long before Europeans arrived. They unfortunately met their demise in the early 1700’s. Many members of the tribe perished in the Yemassee War of 1715-17, or from smallpox. Most survivors blended with the Catawba Tribe. The Catawba and Waxhaw shared similar cultures and language.

    The South Carolina side of the Waxhaws region lies in Lancaster County. Europeans permanently settled the area around 1750. Most of the settlers were Scots-Irish and German. The majority hailed from Lancaster, PA, while others came from Virginia and N. Carolina. They named the county for their previous home in Pennsylvania. Lancaster, SC and PA were named for England’s noted 15th Century House of Lancaster. The county was officially adopted in 1785. During the Civil War Generals William T. Sherman and H. Judson Kilpatrick looted the “Red Rose City” of Lancaster. Though they inflicted severe damage, Kilpatrick’s troops were unable to burn the beautiful courthouse designed by Robert Mills. The largest vein of gold discovered east of the Mississippi River was found at Haile’s Gold Mine. The mine, located two miles east of picturesque Kershaw, prospered in the late 1800’s. A tragic explosion in 1908 mostly ended the mine’s operation. Lancaster County has seen many changes over the years. Today the county balances history with progress, boasting a population of nearly 75,000 residents.

     Lancaster County hosted several battles and skirmishes during the Revolutionary War. The most notable of these was the Battle of Waxhaws, commonly called Buford’s Massacre. Banastre Tarleton was accused by Patriots of butchering Abraham Buford’s men after his troops surrendered. The British claimed that Patriots intentionally fired at Tarleton when a musket ball struck his horse. Regardless of the story’s accuracy, the event enraged locals hoping for independence. Patriots attributed their success at Kings Mountain to the remembrance of their fallen comrades at The Waxhaws. Clouds of controversy linger over this battle 230 years later. Another important revolutionary battle was fought in this region. It was the Battle of Hanging Rock. It is named for an actual rock formation which is located two miles south of Heath Springs. This intriguing natural rock formation is interesting enough in its own right. On August 6, 1780 General Thomas Sumter led a Patriot victory here that lasted three hours in the hot Carolina sun. One of the battle’s heroes was William Richardson Davie. Young Andrew Jackson, serving as a courier, witnessed Davie’s bravery. He later said he would have fought with Davie ”to the death”. 

   Lancaster County has had many famous natives and residents over the years. Recent notable residents of the county include Jim Hodges, Charles Duke and Shawn Crawford. Jim Hodges proudly served as Governor of South Carolina from 1999-2003. Astronaut Charlie Duke carries the title of being the youngest person to walk on the moon. Sprinter Shawn Crawford put his home town of Van Wyck on the map when he won gold and silver in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Crawford once competed in a race with a Phantom of the Opera mask on. Historically, noted Lancastrians have included Stephen Miller and William Richardson Davie. Miller, a strong state’s rights advocate, served as Governor from 1828-1830. Miller’s daughter was the well known Confederate Diarist Mary Boykin Chesnut. William Davie founded the University of North Carolina. I will speak of Davie often in this post. Lancaster County’s most famous resident is Andrew Jackson. Our nation’s seventh president was born in the heart of the Waxhaws in 1767. Jackson claims to have been born just inside the South Carolina line in his Uncle James Crawford’s cabin. “Old Hickory” remains the only South Carolina native to serve as Commander in Chief. Most of the focus of today’s post centers squarely on Andrew and his family. We will talk about Andrew Jackson State Park and the church of his youth, Old Waxhaw Presbyterian.

    Andrew Jackson State Park pays homage to the area where “Old Hickory” spent his first seventeen years. Located in the vast wilderness of northern Lancaster County, this State Park takes you back to a time when this part of South Carolina was truly “frontier”. The South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism department acquired this 360 acre park from Lancaster County in 1952.  The park is very cozy and easy to navigate in an afternoon. There are many activities here for those with varied interests. For history lovers there is a museum on site. This exhibit showcases the boyhood of our nation’s 7th president. Several rooms here depict Waxhaw life leading up to the American Revolution. The rooms here include a living room, textile room and a bedroom. Outside the museum the park’s signature piece stands guard over the Carolina frontier. Anna Hyatt Huntington’s “The Boy of the Waxhaws” shows Jackson as a young man of about 16 or 17 mounted on his farm horse. This statue is stunning in its entirety, yet those of us who know Huntington’s attention to detail should not be surprised. This striking sculpture hardly looks like the work of a 91 year old! Near the end of her life, Huntington received a request from a sixth grade class in Lancaster to create a boyhood statue of their local hero. Huntington and her late husband Archer were known as kind and selfless people. She gladly granted the request, making this her last major work.

     Andrew Jackson State Park accurately portrays the past. The park features a one room schoolhouse on the property. Kids will enjoy seeing the brand of education the 18th Century Waxhaw children received. They will quickly find that pioneer learning lacked the luxury and sophistication of today’s classrooms. Down the hill from the schoolhouse you’ll discover the park’s amphitheater. This 7,500 square foot outdoor venue showcases the rugged beauty of the Carolina backcountry. Concerts, weddings and plays are held here year round. Across a parking lot from the amphitheater is the Meeting House. The Meeting House is a replica of an 18th Century Scots-Irish church. The park has a pair of scenic one mile trails. We decided to take the Crawford Trail, starting at the Meeting House.

    The Crawford Trail reminds one of life deep in the heart of the Waxhaws. Once you enter this rural loop you are completely immersed in wilderness. The path was still wet from the snow that had melted the day before. The trail took us about 35 minutes to complete. Maxi stopped to take pictures of the raw nature that stood before us. We did not attempt the Garden of the Waxhaws Trail. This trail is surrounded by the park’s 18 acre lake. The Garden of the Waxhaws Trail can be occasionally very steep as it winds through a pine and hardwood forest. If hiking isn’t your favorite activity, Andrew Jackson State Park also offers relaxing camping opportunities. There are no cabins for lodging at this State Park, but RV & Tent Camping is encouraged. The park has several planned activities for the public throughout the year. The most notable of these is the birthday celebration of our nation’s seventh president. This year’s event will take place on March 20th from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. No matter the occasion, Andrew Jackson State Park will amaze you with its rugged landscapes and subtle reflections of the man they called “Old Hickory”.

   We left Andrew Jackson State Park and headed south to visit the church of President Jackson’s youth, Old Waxhaw Presbyterian. Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church is one of the Upcountry’s most significant churches. The congregation began as Waxhaw Meeting House in 1755. The church was formally organized as Waxhaw Presbyterian in March of 1758. Scottish-born minister and school teacher Robert Miller deeded about four and a half acres of land to the congregation for worship. William Richardson served as the first pastor of the church from 1759-71. Richardson was considered by many to be the most influential Presbyterian Minister of his time. Old Waxhaw Presbyterian is Upper South Carolina’s oldest church. The first church operated a military hospital during the Revolution until the British burned it in 1781. The church was rebuilt, but suffered the same fate during the Great Revival of 1802. The third church remained a staple of the community for nearly one hundred years. The current sanctuary was built in 1896 and renovated in the 1940’s. Old Waxhaw Presbyterian is located on a country road eight miles north of Lancaster. The church exterior is simple and charming. We were here on a Monday evening so we were not able to view the sanctuary in this historic church. We were, after all, here to see the church’s graveyard. This place of peace is the Upcountry’s most historical final resting place, containing the graves of many influential South Carolinians.

   The voices of great leaders from the past can be heard here whispering in the wind. Lancastrians have made this their final resting place for over 250 years. Many graves here have been worn by time. The dates of birth and death and names of the deceased are barely legible. Here at Old Waxhaw Presbyterian you could spend hours combing the churchyard for names that roll off the tongue with ease. The most recognizable site here is a large crypt surrounded by enormous cedars and pines. This is the final resting place of William Richardson Davie. Davie played an important role in the history of both North and South Carolina. William spent much of his youth in Lancaster County. He was adopted by his uncle, Waxhaw Presbyterian Minister Rev. William Richardson. Most of his adulthood was spent in North Carolina. A lawyer by trade, Davie is best known for founding the University of North Carolina. W.R. Davie also served as Governor of NC and Minister to France under President John Adams. In his later years he retired to his plantation Tivoli in Chester County. Davie died there in 1820. Buried next to Davie is his adopted father Rev. William Richardson. Several yards away from the Davie memorial you will find the grave of Andrew Jackson, Sr. The father of our seventh president never met his youngest son. He died in a tragic logging accident three weeks before Andrew’s birth. Mr. Jackson’s grave was an unmarked stone in the churchyard until 1931. The Catawba Chapter of the D.A.R. in Rock Hill kindly gave Andrew Jackson Sr. a fitting headstone.

   A mother’s love is unparalleled in this life. One of the most beautiful and inspiring tributes here is a striking statue of Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson. The mother of Andrew Jackson is flanked by her brave sons Hugh and Robert Jackson. Hugh, the eldest of the Jackson boys, died of heat and exhaustion while fighting at the Battle of Stono Ferry. Robert and Andrew contracted smallpox while they were held as prisoners of war at Camden in 1781. Elizabeth Jackson arranged a prisoner transfer with the Redcoats to secure the release of her two remaining sons. It was a bitter 40 mile trek back to the Waxhaws. Andrew walked the entire way. Robert Jackson died of smallpox shortly after their return. Mrs. Jackson slowly nursed her bed ridden son Andrew back to health. Betty Jackson had already lost her husband and two of her sons, but her dedication to the cause and love for liberty never waned. She went to Charleston in late spring 1781 to nurse American soldiers back to health on British prisoner of war frigates. Her actions were full of patriotism and valor. Working tirelessly among filth and disease, Mrs. Jackson contracted cholera. She died in November of the same year. Andrew Jackson was orphaned at the age of 14. The sight of an angelic mother watching over her sons nearly brought us to tears in the shadows of the old churchyard.

    The sun had expired on our day in the Waxhaws. A fitting crescent moon loomed over a beautiful dark blue sky. Christmas was just four days away. We said goodbye to the Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church, admiring the simplicity of her Christmas decorations. History and legend lives on here in Lancaster County. Footsteps of an old Indian Tribe and Scots-Irish settlers still echo here deep in the heart of the Waxhaws. If you close your eyes and listen with great intent, you just might hear Hugh, Robert and Andrew Jackson playing frontier games in the woods.

INDIGO BLUE NOTES: Elizabeth Jackson’s remains still lie in Charleston where she perished. Andrew Jackson always intended to bring his mother’s remains back to Old Waxhaw Presbyterian, but it never materialized. The statue of Mrs. Jackson was given by the Catawba Chapter of the D.A.R. in 1949. Another notable person buried at Old Waxhaw Presbyterian is Andrew Pickens, Sr., father of the famed “Wizard Owl” Andrew Pickens. Pickens brought his family to the Waxhaws in 1752 from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was known as a wise and influential member of the community. I would also like to thank  Mary Long and Idella Bodie for their great insight on The Waxhaws. The late Mary Long hosted an incredible historical program about South Carolina on ETV called Mary Long’s Yesteryear. Idella Bodie has written award winning books about historical Sandlappers that I’ve enjoyed for many years. I have been inspired by them for their loyalty and love for the Palmetto State.

To see a photo gallery of our trip to Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church please click HERE

To see photos of our trip to Andrew Jackson State Park please view our gallery HERE

For more information on Andrew Jackson State Park please visit their website at www.southcarolinaparks.com, or call them directly at (803) 285-3344

Andrew Jackson State Park      196 Andrew Jackson Park Road      Lancaster, South Carolina 29720

Admission- Adults- $2.00      SC Seniors 65 & Up- $1.25      Youth 15 & Under-FREE

Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church      2814 Old Hickory Rd.      Lancaster, South Carolina 29720

     The year was 1950. African Africans had spent centuries trying to find their place in a land where most had been forced to live. Many South Carolinians of color still felt the strains of slavery, though it had been 85 years since the institution’s abolishment. Most blacks in the Deep South had very few civil rights at this time. Segregation kept African Americans from using the same facilities as whites. Jackie Robinson had just broken the color barrier in Major League Baseball, but many struggles were waiting in the wings. Deep in the heart of Florence County, a child was born whose many goals would include reaching the moon. His life was cut short by tragedy, but his achievements are still remembered nearly a quarter of a century after his death. His name was Ronald McNair.

     Ronald Ervin McNair was born on October 21, 1950 to Carl and Pearl McNair in Lake City, South Carolina. The McNairs led a working class life in a home filled with love. Carl McNair was an auto body repairman and Pearl taught at a local high school. The young McNair learned to read and write by the time he was three years old. It became evident at an early age that Ronald was destined for something special. McNair was always ahead of his classmates in school. Ron was rarely challenged in school until he reached college. The example he set made other classmates strive to do their very best.  Hard work at home helped keep the gifted McNair humble. Ronald picked cotton and harvested tobacco to help his family through tough financial times. His dad taught him the trade of auto body work so Ronald would have something to fall back on. McNair’s dreams reached far and wide. Many children of the time rarely, if ever, left the Pee Dee for vacation in McNair’s youth. Ronald wasn’t about to settle for a trip to the mountains or the beach. McNair’s expansive mind dreamed of reaching the edges of our solar system.

    As a young man, Ronald became fascinated with science and space exploration. Sputnik was launched when he was in elementary school. The so called “space race” between the Soviets and Americans captivated many people across the globe. To say Ronald McNair was fascinated would be an understatement. By high school the Florence County native had many interests. Along with his many academic achievements, he excelled in athletics. McNair excelled in football, boxing, running and karate. He later became a fifth-degree black belt in this traditional martial art, winning several competitions in the process. To complete his myriad talents he also became an accomplished musician. Ronald graduated from segregated Carver High School in 1967 at the age of 16. To no one’s surprise, he was named the school’s valedictorian. McNair received a full scholarship from North Carolina A&T University. After a successful four year college career he graduated magna cum laude in 1971 with a degree in physics. Ronald soon embarked on a journey that seemed impossible for a young black man who grew up in the segregated South. He received a scholarship to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. M.I.T was the first time the confident young man from Lake City felt intimidation.

    McNair refused to give in to the rigors of M.I.T. It would simply be out of his character to give in to such a daunting task. Ronald excelled at the prestigious Boston school. He had hoped to receive his doctorate ten years after graduating from high school. During his time at M.I.T. Ronald worked with some of the top names in physics. His work involving chemical and high-pressure lasers impressed the top brass at the school. McNair worked tirelessly on completion of his doctoral thesis. He tragically lost two years of work as he neared the finish line. Most of the general population would have backed down in a situation like this. Three months later McNair had somehow come up with a thesis even better than the first. His thesis was featured in several publications across the nation. The man that had all the odds stacked against him received his doctorate from M.I.T. in 1976. He was only 25 years of age. After graduation, Ronald McNair accepted a position at Hughes Research Laboratories in upscale Malibu, California.

     The next year brought a new challenge to the man who accomplished more in a quarter century than most do in three lifetimes. He was invited by NASA to apply for the national space program. Ten thousand people applied for this unbelievable opportunity. In the end, thirty five people were selected. Among the names called was Ronald Ervin McNair. Mere months before he began his year long training with NASA, he and his wife Cheryl were involved in a fairly serious car accident. He recovered on schedule and took his position with NASA. Dr. McNair made his first space flight in 1984 in a shuttle that later made history, Challenger. He became only the second African American to travel in outer space. The mission orbited earth more than 120 times. The rest of the crew enjoyed the humor and good spirit that carried Ronald McNair in his life. Known as a devout Christian, he credited the Lord for the opportunities he received each and every day. Though he had been an integral part of NASA for several years, McNair contemplated a new challenge. He wanted to be closer to home and teach at the University of South Carolina. In the end Ronald decided to make one more voyage aboard the Challenger. It would be a mission forever remembered by South Carolinians and the world.

      Space travel had become fairly common throughout the decade of the 1980’s. NASA’s next mission would gain notoriety around the world for its first flight involving a civilian. Americans from coast to coast were glued to their televisions on the morning of January 28, 1986 to watch this historic event. Students nationwide were gathered in classrooms excited about seeing the Challenger launch. Most Americans were interested in the media frenzy that followed Christa McAuliffe. McAuliffe was a well respected teacher from Concord, NH. I personally remember my excitement and emotional state in Ms. Lanford’s first grade class at Summit Drive Elementary in Greenville. I was excited about seeing the first teacher in space, but I was also very proud of our native South Carolinian Ronald McNair. It was a clear and unseasonably cold morning in Central Florida. I’ll never forget the beauty and grace the Challenger displayed at liftoff. Our entire classroom clapped in anticipation of a wildly successful mission. Seventy three seconds later those innocent smiles turned to tears. The Challenger exploded violently, causing viewers everywhere to view an American tragedy on live television. All seven passengers aboard the shuttle perished when the crew cabin crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

    Ronald McNair’s short life ended reaching for the stars. He touched so many lives in the 35 years he lived, including my own. His determination and work ethic brought him praise from his peers, but his humility and deep faith brought him peace from within. Next year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Challenger tragedy. People have not forgotten the man from the Pee Dee whose smile was engaging and whose heart was tender. Memorials and schools have been named for Dr. McNair through the years. Ron also achieved the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest honor. McNair even has a crater on the moon named in his honor. McNair eternally rests in the town where it all started, Lake City. The town has a handsome monument to Dr. McNair detailing the many varied interests in his life. Ronald McNair Boulevard in Lake City is named for the town’s most celebrated citizen. McNair is survived by his wife Cheryl, and his two children Reginald and Joy.

     In reflection of his own successes McNair stated, “Whether or not you reach your goals in life depends entirely on how well you prepare for them and how badly you want them. You’re eagles! Stretch your wings and fly to the sky.” The life of Ronald McNair was first class in every sense of the word. In my opinion, Ron McNair is an easy choice as a Notable South Carolinian.

INDIGO BLUE NOTES: As most of you know, February is Black History Month. South Carolina, like most Deep South states, has had many people of color influence the history and landscape of our proud state. For many years blacks were treated as second class citizens in South Carolina. Ronald McNair was one of the many African Americans who have risen above the scars that history had left for them. Let us remember that although this month is designated for observance, the sacrifice that so many have made in the pursuit of liberty and justice should be noted year round.