Discover Aiken, South Carolina
Renée S. Gordon
The city of Aiken, named after William Aiken, SC Railroad’s first president, was founded in 1835 after railroads entered the area in 1833 and the world’s longest line, 136-miles, connected the Savannah River with Charleston. In 1871 Aiken County was formed from portions of four existing counties.
The first regional “tourists”, Hernando De Soto came in 1540 seeking gold. The next significant march through the area was that of Sherman as he crossed the state on his march to the sea. The ensuing Battle of Aiken occurred on February 11, 1865. Confederate Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler’s victory, a rare win against Sherman, prevented the city’s devastation.
After the Civil War Aiken garnered a reputation as health resort destination. People flocked there because of the mild climate, historic sites and accessibility. Wealthy northerners founded a “Winter Colony”, brought their horses, built luxurious venues in which to spend their time and golfed on one of the South’s first courses.
Aiken proved to be poor land for crops and as early as the 1830s the elite brought their horses here because it was perfect for training and breeding thoroughbreds. Today Aiken continues selling stabling and track time to trainees. The facilities are first-rate and the track is layered and quiet so the horses do not get distracted. In 1930 Aiken Steeplechase Association began hosting annual races. Twelve years later the Aiken Trials, part of Aiken's Triple Crown events began. A menu of equestrian events can be found online.
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum
Once a carriage house, the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of
Fame and Museum, is a 2-story excursion into the world of Aiken
horse racing. The story is told through a series of thematic
displays replete with awards, memorabilia, videos, photographs
and interpretive panels. The second level has information on
the contribution of African American jockeys and trainers. A
second room is devoted to children’s activities. In the
Courtyard visitors can examine training equipment and owner’s
silks of 40 champion racehorses.
Aiken County Historical Museum
The best orientation to the city is
the Aiken County Historical Museum. Until the 1950s this was a
playground for the wealthy. When the Winter Colony residents
left they the infrastructure intact and the 3-story museum is
housed in “Banksia” one of the former mansions.
It exhibits
items from the history of Aiken County. A museum highlight is
pottery by David Drake, an enslaved ceramicist, who often
adorned his pottery with poetry. The 3.5-acre museum campus
houses two larger artifacts, an 1808 log cabin and 1890s
schoolhouse.
Aiken’s Visitors Center and Train Museum
Aiken’s Visitors Center and Train Museum showcases railroad
history through use of nine town dioramas, model trains,
photographs, artifacts and displays. The Visitor Center is
located here and maps and brochures are available.
Savannah River Site
In 1950 the “cold war” took over Aiken in the form of the
Savannah River Site designed to make nuclear materials. In 1946
the Atomic Energy Commission was established. In 1949 the USSR
tested their first atomic bomb and then moved hydrogen, 1000
times more powerful, bombs. America felt the bomb was an
immediate threat and in 1950 chose Dupont as a contractor. They
examined 114 US sites for the potential “atomic town”. It had
to be near water, out of Russian range, near a larger town, and
have certain soil and weather conditions. A site near Aiken was
selected November 28, 1950. One week later the people living
there were told to move and compensated for their land and
homes.
Construction took place from 1950-55 and once completed the
research facility functioned until 1989. The museum tells the
story of the plant, the workers, the displaced residents and
that of plutonium and its storage and disposal.
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
The SC African American Heritage Commission designated
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site one of the "Top Ten
Sites to Visit in South Carolina". It was named after the red
clay on which it sat. The 1859 mansion was slave built for
James Henry Hammond senator, governor, cotton planter and
staunch defender of slavery. He owned four plantations,
14,000-acres, and approximately 300 slaves with from 20 to 50
working at Redcliffe.
Tours of the 2-story Greek revival mansion are offered and more
than 4,000 artifacts are displayed. The 369-acre estate has an
1861 magnolia tree alley and outbuildings that may be visited.
Two 1857 extant slave quarters provide a snapshot of the life
of the enslaved. There were originally four double-pen cabins.
Willcox Hotel
The self-guided Historic Aiken Tour consists of 94 sites of
architectural or historic importance. Each site is marked with
a Historic Aiken marker. Sites date from the 1800s. One of the
sites is the stunning “Queen of Aiken”, the
Willcox Hotel.
Originally three structures, the buildings were joined to
become the lobby of the hotel. The white pillared Colonial
Revival building is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The rooms are sumptuous and feature deluxe amenities,
service and cuisine. Notable guests have included Winston
Churchill, the Duke of Windsor and Elizabeth Arden. A stay here
is a traveler’s delight.
Hitchcock Woods
Hitchcock Woods is the largest privately owned urban forest in
the US. The 2,100-acres are under the management of the
Hitchcock Woods Foundation. The points of interest include the
1929 brick Memorial Gate and Sand River that weaves through the
center of the woods. Legend has it that an Indian chief was
told in a vision to take his ill daughter to be healed to the
Sand River. Her cure contributed to the reputation of the area
as being a place of healing.
There is something new to discover in Aiken around every corner
and down every street. Become an Aiken adventurer.