About the Region

WE’RE WAY MORE THAN HORSES

OUR HISTORY ...

Experience four beautiful counties in western South Carolina where yesterday is preserved for today. History from every American era is evident throughout this region known as Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina. Learn about Colonial Times through demonstrations in pottery, frontier trading and blacksmithing. Come explore Civil War battle sites and historic plantation homes. Visit our small, quaint towns where you will find museums rich with history and festivals that display local culture. Discover churches of the past and stories of the Charleston to Hamburg rail line.

OUR NATURE ...

While history is abound, Thoroughbred Country is also a place of natural beauty. Notice the Spanish moss gracing enormous live oak trees. Take in the local flora and fauna throughout the region. Ponder over the unusual elliptical phenomenon known as a Carolina Bay. Hike through an urban forest or let the elegance of a local garden carry you to another time. If you desire more active recreation, paddle the Edisto River, the longest free-flowing, blackwater river in the world. Cool off with a drink from God’s Acre Healing Spring in Blackville, whose waters are believed to have curative powers.

OUR SHOPPING ...

“Shopper’s Paradise” would be an accurate description of this diverse region. Here you can shop for antiques and local crafts, such as locally-thrown pottery or Mennonite quilts. Find unique gifts and art galleries including that of Jim Harrison, a nationally-known artist.

OUR FOOD ...

Take a break from your adventures and enjoy our cuisine. Encounter roadside stands, cozy cafés, freshly-baked Mennonite goods, full-scale dining and everything in-between. Of course, we still have your southern favorites such as grits, barbeque, collards and fried chicken.

AND REST ...

After a full day of experiencing our history, our nature, our shopping and our food, rest your head at a quaint bed and breakfast or historic hotel. Awaken the next day refreshed and ready for the next adventure.

AIKEN COUNTY

Aiken County, known throughout the world for its equestrian training facilities, is home to the Aiken Training Track. Since 1942, this facility has produced forty National Champions, six Kentucky Derby winners, three Preakness Stakes winners and nine Belmont Stakes winners. Palace Malice, 2013 Belmont Stakes winner; Demonstrative, 2014 Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse; Pleasant Colony, 1981 Eclipse Award Champion 3 Year Old Male; and Concrete Rose, 2019 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year are just few of the famous horses that have called Aiken County home. Among the esteemed horses and live oaks, Aiken County thrives on its rich history. The historic towns such as Aiken, Beech Island, North Augusta and Wagener represent every time in history. From plantation homes and historic churches to iconic drive-ins and trendy diners, Aiken County remembers it all.

Enjoy nature through unique experiences and activities like hiking one of the largest urban forests in the United States. Hitchcock Woods and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center are two places to visit for anyone who appreciates the beauty of preserved land. Other activities include hunting, fishing and golfing, along with a variety of family-friendly adventures. Discover Aiken County, your visit is sure to be a memorable one.

ALLENDALE COUNTY

Formed from parts of Barnwell and Hampton counties in 1919, Allendale is the youngest county in South Carolina. Historic churches and cemeteries are plentiful in this corner of the region. Take in the beauty as you ride miles of equestrian trails with your horse or experience a variety of unique hunting options available. Travelers to this part of the region in July have the special opportunity to see a Swallowtailed Kite. Being one of the most elegant birds of the Americas, you won’t want to miss the chance to see them. Allendale has a strong tradition in agriculture and produces cotton, watermelons, peaches, peanuts, corn, okra and other crops. Make a stop at a roadside stand to enjoy some of the fresh local produce. Don’t forget to sample southern BBQ and good oldfashioned home cooking while you’re in town.

Visit USC Salkehatchie and view the “Searching for our Beginnings” Topper Site exhibit, the only permanent collection of Clovis and pre-Clovis artifacts. Enjoy your trip through Allendale County as you discover the southernmost part of our region.

The cool, black waters of the Edisto River provide the backdrop for Bamberg County’s history and charm. Join local residents for hunting, fishing or canoeing excursions. Venture off the beaten path to Denmark, the city of antiques and uniques. Visitors to the Jim Harrison Gallery will find that place matters, whether that is the sun-drenched coast or a lonely barn in a rural landscape. Brooker’s True Value and Gifts is the local stop to make if you are looking for fine china and hardware. Or wonder through three floors of eclectic antiques at The Caroline Collection. Catch the Amtrak at the Denmark train station. This county has been visited by notables, including General Sherman. On his march to Columbia, Sherman’s Army was met at Rivers Bridge by a small band of Confederate Soldiers who tried to stall his progress. Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site shows the scars from that battle in the form of battle breastworks. With river trips, battlefield tours and original artwork, there are many ways to experience the unique atmosphere of Bamberg County.

BARNWELL COUNTY

Southerners have long been known to cherish tradition and local history, as well as times of having fun. Folks in Barnwell County are no exception. Legends surround several of the attractions here. The God’s Acre Healing Springs story dates back to the 1700’s when Native Americans brought wounded Revolutionary War soldiers here to drink. Many natives of the area still claim the waters are a cure-all. Legend has it that the unique vertical sundial in front of the Barnwell County Courthouse, is the only vertical sundial in the United States. The wonderful climate and natural beauty of the area brought Mennonite settlers from western states. They now share with visitors their crafts and great cooking ability, along with insight into their religious practices. Diverse cultures, legendary sites and history weave the fabric of this county.

TOUR UNDISCOVERED SOUTH CAROLINA

While traveling through Thoroughbred Country you may find a love for the arts, a sense of adventure, peace with nature and a new appreciation for all things equine. Our region has so much to offer, it’s impossible to do only one trip. Here is a taste of the Undiscovered South Carolina.

Day 1 - A great place to start would be at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta. Located not far from I-20 and a jump across the Savannah River, the Arts & Heritage Center offers an overview of the region’s history along with work from local artists. Stop by the gift shop for tax-free shopping on local wares. If you’d rather stretch your legs, not far from the Arts & Heritage Center is an entrance to the Greeneway Trail. Once an abandoned railroad right-of-way, this paved trail entices walkers and bikers alike to travel along the river, by a butterfly garden or under a canopy of trees. Whether you’re looking for fine or casual dining, complete your day with dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in North Augusta. When it comes to a place to rest your head for the night, Thoroughbred Country offers a variety of accommodations. Choose from historic hotels, comfortable bed and breakfasts, your favorite hotel brand, cabins, campgrounds and hunting lodges. Day 2 - After breakfast, drive to Barnwell to learn about South Carolina Face Jugs and purchase a unique souvenir at the Little Red Barn Pottery & Art Gallery. Don’t forget to stop on the way to check the time at the Vertical Sundial on the Circle, it is said to be the only free-standing vertical sundial in the United States. Enjoy a BBQ plate or hearty sandwich for lunch before observing 15,000-year-old American artifacts from the Topper Site exhibit at the library of USC Salkehatchie in Allendale. Next, head to Ehrhardt to walk along history on The Battlefield Interpretive Trail at Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. Here, you can watch a variety of birds, visit memorial grounds of soldiers from several wars and see breastworks that are more than 150-years-old. Stop by Bamberg’s Historic Post Office to view one of thirteen murals in South Carolina commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts of the United States Treasury, ‘Cotton the World Over’. Painted in 1939, this world-wide map depicts regions of cotton production along with ancient and modern trade routes. Then, visit Denmark, our city of uniques, for a glimpse at America through the eyes of Jim Harrison or explore captivating antiques and more. Spend the rest of your day discovering Thoroughbred Country’s nightlife. Enjoy live music with dinner, have a cocktail in The Alley or treat yourself to something sweet. Catch a performing arts show, traverse the galaxy at the DuPont Planetarium or brave a haunted tour. There is always something going on, so check the calendar for events. Day 3 - Grab breakfast to go and start Aiken’s Citywide Arboretum Trail beginning at Colleton Avenue. Or hop on a charming Saturday morning trolley tour at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum to learn about and view historic homes and churches, beautiful live oaks and have a guided tour of Hopelands Gardens (weather permitting). Then, visit the Savannah River Site Museum to understand the importance of SRS and why it was built. A replica of a Cold War fallout shelter and an exhibit on how SRS helped the U.S. race to the moon are some of the permanent displays featured at the museum. Before heading home, memorialize your trip by sharing a photo with us #ThoroughbredCountrySC.