Sites

Discover rice and indigo, pirates and patriots, cotton fields and mill villages, swamps and waterfalls, and railroads and backroads by traveling along the 14 counties of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

Begin your journey just as the settlers at Charles Towne Landing, and learn how the Native Americans, English, Africans and Barbadians came together to form the first successful English Colony in 1670. Follow this history and the nationally designated Corridor to experience the unique sites and stories that affected South Carolina as a state and America as a nation.

You may choose to explore a variety of sites in one geographic location or follow one theme through the entire Corridor.  Either Way.... The Journey is the Destination.

Mountain Lakes Region  (Anderson, Oconee & Pickens Counties)

Rolling and mountainous Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties, carved from the frontier Pendleton District, form a region of whitewater rivers, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and hiking trails on the very edge of Appalachian culture. Classic upcountry mill villages, complete with factories, housing, and company stores, offer a glimpse of small-town life little changed since the peak of textile production. The SC Botanical Gardens of Clemson University and the beauty of the region's numerous state parks make this area famous for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation mountain settings.


Freshwater Coast Region (Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood & McCormick Counties)

The politics of Freshwater Coast Region -- made up of Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, and Edgefield counties -- has profoundly influenced the state and nation, beginning with Ninety-Six, the original courthouse village of the backcountry and strategic outpost during the Revolution. The fort and battle site are now the Ninety-Six National Historic Site. Edgefield, home of ten governors, has a rich political heritage from Vice-President John C. Calhoun to Senator Strom Thurmond. Abbeville, Edgefield, and McCormick are all classic courthouse towns, serving rich agricultural lands extending out in all directions. Folk art and cultural traditions are strong within this region, as represented by the Mennonite food and Edgefield pottery. Along the western edge of this region are lakes Russell and Thurmond -- the Freshwater Coast -- which provides a setting for state parks and lakeside resorts. Visit the Discovery Center located in Edgefield.


Rivers, Rail, and Crossroads Region (Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell & Orangeburg Counties)

Aiken, Barnwell, Bamberg, and Orangeburg counties, were strongly influenced by the South Carolina Railroad, the nation's first rail line, extending 136 miles from Charleston to Hamburg (North Augusta). Small towns, such as Branchville, Bamberg, Denmark, and Blackville, sprang up along the track, taking advantage of access to the surrounding plantations and farms. The Horse Creek Valley, between Aiken and the Savannah River, was the site of a series of planned mill villages, including Graniteville and Vaucluse, where northern industrial practices were adapted to the culture of the South. The Savannah River Site became a center for nuclear weapons production during the 1950s. Today, its 400 square miles of woodlands and swamps contribute to the rural feel of the area. Only miles away -- but a world apart in feel -- the Aiken Winter Colony became popular a century ago, attracting wealthy seasonal residents and a thoroughbred industry that remains strong to this day.


Lowcountry Region (Charleston, Colleton & Dorchester Counties)


Colleton, Dorchester, and Charleston counties contain the sites of the oldest settlements in South Carolina, and the region continues to this day to be under the influence of the Port of Charleston and the sea. Major rivers, like the Ashley, Cooper, Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto, drain the lowcountry on their way to the Atlantic, creating scenes of great natural beauty and wonderful recreational opportunities. Small fishing villages, like McClellanville, complete the region's connection to the sea and provide services for visitors to Cape Romaine National Wildlife Refuge and the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. The historic city of Charleston has been at the forefront of historic preservation and tourism development. Outside the famous downtown area are plantations and artisans that still illustrate the strong influence of Charleston's African-American heritage.

 The lowcountry has much to offer, including sources of antiques, arts and crafts centers, bird-watching areas, canoe/kayak outings, African American history tours, local foods, fortifications from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War, military history trails, historic districts, national forests, and national, state, and local parks.