Aiken–South Carolina

Aiken is a major regional medical center, and that, together with a four year university campus and tech school, a strong and diversified economic base, the bustling downtown historic district, and a national reputation as a quality equine community, add up to a perfect place to live, vacation, or call home.  

The Hitchcock Woods, a 2,100 acre urban forest, the largest of its kind in the United States, provides the citizens of Aiken with a place to horseback ride and enjoy the outdoors. Much of the architecture of Aiken reflects the “Winter’s Colony’s” early inhabitants, many of whom discovered Aiken as a temperate climate to escape the northern winters and enjoy abundant equestrian sports.

Ridge Spring & Monetta

The Community of Ridge Spring was settled over two hundred years ago. Ridge Spring is situated on the “fall line” which bisects the town. Below the fall line is the beginning of the Piedmont. The Ridge is famous for its rich soil where peaches, cotton, soybeans, pecans, strawberries, and pastures abound. There is an annual Ridge Spring harvest festival enjoyed each October. During the summer months, and there is a weekly Ridge Spring Farmer’s Market on the town square. Monetta has one of the few remaining outdoor drive–in movie theaters.

Batesburg–Leesville

The most famous guest to visit the Batesburg–Leesville area was George Washington who, on May 22,1791, made an entry into his diary, stating that the “hot deep sand almost foundered my horses.” Early growth was enhanced when the railroad was laid through the region, and Batesburg–Leesville began to grow and prosper.
Batesburg and Leesville were independent townships until recent years when the post offices and town governments were consolidated.
Batesburg–Leesville serves a bedroom community to Columbia, (the state capitol), and to Lexington, South Carolina. It is convenient to Lake Murray. There is a rich diversity of small town life here.

Johnston, South Carolina

Home of “The Peach Capital of The World”, Johnston boasts wonderful farms and a beautiful countryside. Prime pasture, perfect climate and friendly people.

Edgefield, South Carolina

Edgefield, the county seat of Edgefield County, was established in 1785 and is steeped in history. Much of the town is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Courthouse was designed by Charles Beck, an associate of Robert Mills, the architect of the Washington Monument. The Edgefield Advertiser, the oldest newspaper in South Carolina, is located on the square. Alkaline glazed pottery was created in Edgefield and made famous by Dave, a slave potter. The craft is still practiced today. There is an active tech school campus, a visitor's center, a local hospital and a popular golf course The Tompkins Library is visited frequently by those searching their ancestral roots. There are over 2,500 acres of public lands which create many options for hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. The National Wild Turkey Federation offers many year round activities.

Ward, South Carolina

Midway between Ridge Spring and Johnston lies the small township of Ward. In the 1850’s, Clinton Ward and his wife, Martha, established a home on the plantation adjoining his father's. Ward stood as the terminus for the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta Railroad. Once a bustling community, Ward is now a quiet shadow of its former self but it provides the perfect place to live and farm.

Trenton, South Carolina

Trenton, established in the late 1860’s is reminiscent of the fictional “Mayberry” of the television series. Established in the 1860’s, the area was originally known as the Pine House Community, a name derived from the Piney Woods Tavern, a stagecoach way station located nearby. George Washington dined at the Pine House in 1791. The early railroads of Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta helped to establish the Trenton Community. Trenton is known for its annual peach festival and its quaint square.

Saluda, South Carolina

Saluda County is known for its agriculture, timber production and livestock. Parts of Saluda County tip into Lake Murray, a very popular inland lake. Saluda is primarily a rural community; avid hunters take to the woods for the deer, wild turkeys, and quail that are abundant here. For fisherman, there are miles of Lake Murray shore and dozens of ponds. For golfers, there is Persimmon Hill Golf Course, an eighteen hole course.

Based on information provided by the Saluda Chamber of Commerce.