Upstate Intro Magazine, Hamilton & Co.

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(864) 527-7685 | MyGreenvilleHome.com

#1 Keller Williams Group in the Upstate #2 Keller Williams Group in SC

Dan Hamilton & Co. of Keller Williams Realty Named One ofAmerica’s Top 1,000 Real Estate Professional Teams by The Wall Street Journal and Real Trends

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an Hamilton of Keller Williams was named one of America’s top real estate professional teams by The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends.

The team is now a member of the “The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals,” a prestigious national awards ranking sponsored annually by the two respected publications. Hamilton is now ranked in the top one half of 1 percent of the more than 1 million REALTORS® nationwide. The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals was announced on September 6, 2011 with four separate categories honoring the top 250 residential agents and agent teams for excellence in: Individual Sales Professionals – Sales volume; Individual Sales Professionals – Transaction sides; Team Professionals – Sales Volume; Team Professionals – Transaction According to The Thou-

sand Top Real Estate Professionals, Hamilton had transaction sides totaling 141 transaction sides, ranking him 245th, in the nation.

“The best individual agents and teams – including Hamilton’s award-winning efforts – were nothing short of phenomenal considering the challenging real estate market,” said Steve Murray, founder of Denver-based publishing and communications company REAL Trends, which compiled the list. “Ironically, if you look at the top 250 in each category you will find that collectively, their sales volume and transaction sides held up quite nicely compared with the market as a whole.”

(864) 527-7685 | MyGreenvilleHome.com

“Becoming a member of such an elite group as the The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals is an incredible accomplishment in any market, but what Hamilton did during these challenging times is impressive on so many levels,” said Marti Gallardo, VP of classified advertising for The Wall Street Journal. “His efforts topped 99.99 percent of the more than 1 million REALTORS nationwide.” “I am absolutely thrilled to be named to The Thousand,” said Hamilton, who serves clients primarily in the Greater Greenville area.“Even with the market’s challenges, it’s incredibly gratifying to help clients find the right home at the right price as well as help them sell their properties quickly and for the highest price possible.”

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he Upstate of South Carolina is a land of beauty, history and innovation. You may already be aware of its attributes, as you are considering or have already decided to make it your home.

The area has been settled at least since the Cherokees built towns along rivers in the rolling hills.

French and British traders followed, and many battles were fought before the Upstate’s future as a part of the young American nation was decided.

The old textile mills that buoyed the Upstate for generations have been replaced by smarter, more highly technical and better-paying industry. The area’s many universities and colleges are booming and adding to the area’s vibrancy.

Downtowns are getting a new look, and arts organizations offer entertainment for every taste.

The Upstate is a magnet for those who love the

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outdoors. Cyclists, runners, golfers, sailors and fishermen flock to the area for events or just for some quiet time soaking up the natural beauty.

Our area is both old and new. The Blue Ridge escarpment stretches across the region as an abrupt face to the old mountain range. Innovative industry, medicine and education drive the economy.

You can see Cherokee and British artifacts at the Pickens County Museum of Art and History — or see the latest BMW equipment at the Zentrum near Spartanburg.

Take in a show by professionals or talented amateurs. Watch a pro baseball or hockey game, or cheer for a college football or basketball team.

Watch the leaves turn in the fall, see the flowers bloom in the spring. The Upstate is South Carolina’s only land of four distinct seasons. You’ll find your special place here, and make it your own.

Falls Park. Photo/S. Kevin Greene

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INTRO | 3

Contents

Published by SC Business Publications LLC | July 2012

20 6

Welcome 2 Introduction to the Upstate 6 Economic Outlook 8 Education in the Upstate 13 Higher Education 16 Taking Care

Living 20 Greenville 22 Spartanburg 24 Anderson County 26 Lake Keowee 27 Laurens County 28 Oconee County 29 Pickens County

Summer

2012 Publisher Lisa Jones ljones@scbiznews.com

Director of Business Development Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com

Editor Scott Miller smiller@scbiznews.com

Account Executive Pam Edmonds pedmonds@scbiznews.com

Special Projects Editor Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com

Account Executive Geoff Humphreys ghumphreys@scbiznews.com

Copy Editor Alison Miller amiller@scbiznews.com

Account Executive Susan Hurst shurst@scbiznews.com

Staff Writer Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.com

Circulation and Event Manager Kathy Allen kallen@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3113

Production Manager/Art Director S. Kevin Greene kgreene@scbiznews.com

Circulation and Event Assistant Kim McManus kallen@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116

35

Resource Guide

30 Sports & Recreation 32 Tee Time 33 Dining Out 35 Places to Stay 37 Arts Abound 40 Attractions & Tours 42 Getaways 44 Calendar of Events 46 Quick Links 48 Newcomer Information & Map

Corporate & Commercial

President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson Publishing Division gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103 Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields sfields@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3110 Accounting Department - Vickie Deadmon vdeadmon@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677 The entire contents of this publication are copyright by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved.

Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited.

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1204B East Washington St., Greenville SC 29601 | 864.235.5677 | Fax: 864.235.4868 | www.scbiznews.com 4 | INTRO

Be more certain about your mortgage.

New to the Upstate? From FHA to Jumbo, CertusBank has the right mortgage for you.

Just speak with one of our Mortgage Consultants today.

GREENVILLE 2415 Laurens Rd. 234.5556

MAULDIN 787-G East Butler Rd. 272.0825

GREER 530 W Wade Hampton Blvd.

801.1165

EASLEY 6602 Calhoun Mem’l Hwy. 306.2540

ANDERSON 1510 North Main St. 222.8444

SPARTANBURG 531 East Main St. 573.6347

CertusBank.com CertusBank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Equal Housing Lender. © 2012 CertusHoldings, Inc. All rights reserved. CertusBank, N.A. is a trademark of CertusHoldings, Inc.

E conomic Outlook

TD Bank announced in November 2011 it would establish its new regional hub at the 300,000-square-foot campus along I-85 in Greenville. (Photo/firnFOTO)

Upstate Economic Outlook Manufacturing sector places region on the map

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he Upstate’s automotive sector is expected to get a technological jolt when ZF Transmissions opens its Laurens County plant in 2013, producing the world’s first nine-speed transmission.

Manufacturing, particularly the automotive sector, has long been driving the Upstate economy and putting the region on the map globally. ZF of Germany, the aerospace supplier Carbures of Spain and Flame Spray of Italy are just a few of the foreign companies that have found the Upstate an attractive investment for business growth.

In 2011, the Upstate SC Alliance — the region’s business recruitment arm — reported 53 business expansions and relocations here, bringing 5,411 jobs and $805 million in cap6 | INTRO

Largest Employers Ranked by No. of Employees Company Name

FT Employees in the Upstate

State of South Carolina...........................11,994

ital investment to the region.

The Upstate Alliance’s five-year goal is to add 18,000 new jobs and $4.5 billion in capital investment. As of March 1, 2012, 13,000 new jobs and more than $3.7 billion in capital investment have been recruited to this region since 2007.

Last year was a record for the Greenville Area Development Corp., which recruits industry and negotiates business-location incentives on behalf of Greenville County. The organization announced a record 3,092 new jobs in 2011, compared to 2,083 new jobs in 2010.

Those companies are investing $291 million in Greenville County.

Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, Laurens, Union, Oconee, Cherokee, Greenwood, and Abbeville counties have enjoyed numerous business investment announcements

Greenville Hospital System .....................8,950 Greenville County Schools.......................8,200 BMW Manufacturing Co..........................7,500 Michelin North America...........................6,510 Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System....................................5,000 Clemson University....................................3,948 Bon Secours St. Francis Health System............................................3,500 AnMed Health............................................3,400 GE Energy....................................................3,400 Milliken & Co..............................................3,400 Fluor Corp....................................................2,658 Self Regional Healthcare..........................2,300 School District of Pickens County...........2,044 Greenville County.......................................1,662 Duke Energy Corp......................................1,650 Robert Bosch LLC......................................1,500 TD Bank N.A...............................................1,400 Verizon Wireless........................................1,400 Greenwood County School District 50.......1,240 SOURCE: Staff research

WELCOME as well. In fact, Site Selection Magazine named Spartanburg County’s economic development organization, Economic Futures Group, as one of the top 10 economic development groups in the country for 2010. That year, the group landed $1.2 billion in capital investment and 3,841 new jobs for Spartanburg area residents, according to the magazine story.

Upstate cities and counties have frequented national rankings. In 2010, Businessweek.com ranked Greenville the nation’s third-best job market.

More recently, the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley area was ranked as one of the top two most optimistic metropolitan areas in the country for hiring in spring 2012, according to a ManpowerGroup survey as reported in Forbes.

Manufacturing, particularly the automotive sector, has been a driving force in the Upstate economy. BMW The economy is diverse, with the manufactures the X3, X5 and X6 models at its Spartanburg County plant. (Photo/Courtesy of BMW Manufacturing) state’s most competitive banking market — TD Bank is developing a regioncal Center and Greenwood Genetic CenN.A. and Milliken & Co., among others. al hub here and CertusBank is locating ter, as well as a bustling energy sector, The Upstate region also has a growing its headquarters in the Upstate — and a led by GE Energy, which manufacturbioscience sector, spurred by research number of headquarters operations, iners massive gas turbines in Greenville from Clemson University, the Greencluding national names like Michelin that are shipped around the world. ville Hospital System University Medi-

Economic Development Agencies Alliance Pickens

Greenville Area Development Corp.

509 S. Lewis St., Suite B Pickens, SC 29671 864-898-1500 www.alliancepickens.com

233 N. Main St., Suite 250 Greenville, SC 29601 864-235-2008 www.gogadc.com

Oconee County Economic Development Commission

Anderson County Economic Development Division

Greenville County Redevelopment Authority

126 N. McDuffie St. Anderson, SC 29621 864-260-4386 www.andersoncountytoday.com

301 University Ridge, Suite 2500 Greenville, SC 29601 864-242-9801 www.gcra-sc.org

216 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 283 Greenville, SC 29606-6267 864-288-5687 www.scmep.org

Appalachian Development Corp.

Greenville Forward

Small Business Development Center

3531 Pelham Road, Suite 100 Greenville, SC 29615 864-382-2350 www.appalachiandevelopmentcorp.com

24 Cleveland St. Greenville, SC 29601 864-233-8443 www.greenvilleforward.com

Clemson at the Falls, 55 E. Camperdown Way Greenville, SC 29601 864-370-1545 www.clemson.edu/sbdc

Cherokee County Development Board

Greer Development Corp.

Upstate SC Alliance

101 Campus Drive Gaffney, SC 29341 864-206-2804 www.cherokeecountydevelopmentboard.com

111 S. Main St., Suite B Greer, SC 29650 864-416-0125 www.greerdevelopment.com

124 Verdae Blvd., Suite 202 Greenville, SC 29607 864-283-2300 www.upstatealliance.com

Economic Futures Group

Laurens County Development Corp.

105 N. Pine St. Spartanburg, SC 29304 864-594-5000 www.economicfuturesgroup.com

291 Professional Park Road Clinton, SC 29325 864-939-0580 www.laurenscounty.org/ed

502 E. Main St. Walhalla, SC 29691 864-638-4210 www.oconeescedc.com

S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership

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E Ducation Three first-graders sit in a classroom. The Upstate offers many educational opportunities for children through its public and private schools. (Photo/Courtesy of Greenville County Schools)

Education Upstate’s public and private schools offer varied experiences, quality education The first thing a family moving to a new community wants to know is whether educational opportunities for the children will measure up. Newcomers to the Upstate will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of education as well as the varied experiences public and private schools have to offer.

Greenville County Greenville County Schools, the 49th largest public school system in the nation with more than 70,000 students, offers one of the most diverse education experiences a family is likely to find in the United States.

About 14% of the students choose the school they wish to attend rather than attending their neighborhood school.

The almost 100 public schools and special centers in the district include 14 high schools, 11 magnet academies and 12 International Baccalaureate schools. There are 21 Palmetto’s Finest schools, a designation awarded to the state’s high-achieving public schools; 13 National Blue Rib8 | INTRO

bon Schools of Excellence; 29 national PTA Schools of Excellence; 36 Baldrige Model Schools; nine Newsweek’s Best High Schools and 48 Red Carpet schools, an award given by the state to honor customer-friendly schools.

As a sign of achievement levels in the district, almost 90 percent of Greenville County Schools graduates attend college. The district boasted 14 National Merit Scholar semifinalists in 2011-2012.

The district has about 5,000 teachers and more National Board Certified teachers, with 631, than 25 states. At the South Carolina PTA Convention for 2012, all nine awards — for outstanding teacher, principal and support staff on the elementary, middle and high school level — went to Greenville County Schools personnel.

The district will welcome a new superintendent for the 2012-2013 academic year: William Burke Royster Jr. Students across the county attend quality school facilities with similar features.

Equity is ensured as construction standards are the same for all schools serving the same grade levels. Each school is a state-of-the-art facility with classrooms of adequate size, innovative lab spaces, music and band rooms, infrastructure to support the latest technology providing the means for research and development of ideas, and improved environmental features such as better lighting and heating/air conditioning. The positive learning environment helps motivate students and teachers each day.

Greenville is the largest school district in South Carolina and serves the 800-squaremile county, as well as parts of Laurens and Spartanburg coun-

WELCOME ties. Greenville County schools hold national accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.

Greenville also is home to the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities.

Spartanburg County Spartanburg County offers top-notch education options for families. Schools throughout the county have experienced a building boom in recent years. Private and public schools have expanded to meet the growing needs of the community, as well as to prepare students for the future.

Spartanburg County has seven public school districts with more than 44,000 students enrolled. There are more than 39 elementary schools, 15 middle or junior high schools, nine high schools and four career centers or vocational schools. All school districts are fully accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education.

District One serves the communities of Inman, Landrum, Gramling, Holly Springs, New Prospect, Gowensville and Campobello in northern Spartanburg County. Approximately 5,100 students attend its five elementary, three junior high, two senior high schools and the

career center it shares with District Two. District One has also completed the District Accreditation Process by the Southern Association of Schools. It was the fourth district in the state to achieve this distinction and one of 150 nationwide.

All schools include Smart Technology Rooms that are equipped with the latest in interactive instruction and every classroom has Internet access.

Student scores on standardized tests are among the highest in the state and schools in District One have received 10 Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards.

District Two serves the city of Chesnee, Boiling Springs and several rural communities in the region. The district has seven elementary schools, three middle schools, one intermediate school, one junior high school, one ninth-grade campus, two high schools and a career center it shares with District One. District Two schools rank in the top 10% of schools statewide and 10 of its schools have been recognized as Palmetto Gold or Silver Award recipients; some of the schools are Palmetto Gold and Silver Showcase schools.

As the area continues to grow, the district adds an average of 200 new students

each school year, and continues to add schools and update existing ones to accommodate the new students. The district serves about 10,000 students.

District Three serves more than 3,000 students in its seven schools. Its student to teacher ratio is 20-to-1, which allows its staff to provide a safe, relevant learning experience in a nurturing environment. The faculty and students of District Three have earned a long list of awards.

District Four is the largest, geographically, of the school districts in Spartanburg County. It serves just over 2,900 students in its four schools. District Four is a progressive system with an expansive curriculum for all students that includes a large selection of Advanced Placement courses, as well as a quality remediation programs and services for special needs students. The Center for American Progress named it one of the most productive school districts in the state.

District Five serves more than 7,600 students and employs more than 850 teachers in its 12 schools. The district recently opened a freshman academy for ninthgraders and two new elementary schools.

Byrnes High School’s football team is accustomed to winning state championships.

HER FUTURE OUR FOCUS

C o l l e g e Pr e p . . . Pr i m e r ( K ) - 1 2 t h G r a d e

Ch r i st Ch urch E p i s co pal S ch o o l

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Christ Church Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, financial aid or other programs, or other school-administered programs and activities.

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Anderson County

Photo/Courtesy of Greenville County Schools

E Ducation

District Six is one of the fastest growing areas in Spartanburg County. The district consists of nine elementary schools, three middle schools, one ninth-grade school and one high school. The district was the first in the state to have all schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Approximately 10,000 students attend district schools.

District Seven has more than 7,000 students enrolled at its 12 schools, which include seven elementary, two middle schools, a freshman academy and one high school, as well as a Career Technology Center and a Childhood/Family Learning Center.

While all of the district’s schools are exemplary, Spartanburg High School is a national model and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education several times with a National Blue Ribbon Award.

The average SAT score at Spartanburg High School remains above the state average and its Advanced Placement programs have the highest number of AP courses taught in the state. Its student to teacher ratio in core subjects is just 16.5:1.

A team of third-graders recently placed first in the nation on the WordMasters Challenge Gold Division.

A first-grader at Ellen Woodside Elementary in Greenville County. Almost 100 public schools and special centers are in this county school district.

In addition, Spartanburg County is home to the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind and the Charles Lea Center/ McCarthy Teszler School — both offering programs for those with special needs — and Spartanburg Charter School.

Anderson County includes five school districts serving more than 30,000 students in more than 50 schools. All of its schools strive to provide the best possible education to students with the latest in state-ofthe-art technology and best practices.

Anderson School District One students achieve at or near the top in all measures of academics at all levels. The district has seven elementary, three middle and two high schools. It also has a primary school and a career training center. Recent accolades include a National Blue Ribbon School designation for Powdersville Elementary School. Cedar Grove Elementary was named a Title 1 Distinguished School.

The district has 89 National Board Certified Teachers and 99% of all teachers were designated highly qualified.

More than 9,000 students are served in District One. Anderson School District Two recently introduced several new K-12 initiatives to serve its 3,700 students. It began implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, which teaches students behavioral expectations rather than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding.

It has also developed an intervention

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WELCOME

Students take part in an orchestra performance. Area schools offer excellent opportunities in arts education. (Photo/Courtesy of Greenville County Schools)

reading program to help struggling readers.

Anderson School District Three serves about 2,500 students in five schools. It recently constructed Flat Rock Elementary School, the first new school built in the district in more than 30 years. The district’s many accomplishments include Iva Elementary School’s receipt of the Palmetto Silver Award, which is granted by the state Department of Education to schools who attain high levels of absolute performance or high rates of improvement.

Anderson School District Four has six schools serving almost 3,000 students. The schools have achieved numerous accolades, including Riverside Middle School, recently named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. District Four includes the Pendleton area of Anderson County.

Anderson School District Five works hard to build relationships among students, parents, teachers and volunteers. The district encompasses 112 square miles and includes 12,000 students attending 18 schools, including the Anderson County Academy of the Arts.

The district’s foundation is based on strong standards-based curriculum, accountability through testing and a strong support system that includes active parent-teacher groups, business-education

partnerships and a large network of volunteers. The success of the foundation has been apparent in the district’s continued improvement on standardized tests.

Pickens County The School District of Pickens County is nearing the end of a district-wide $374 million building program that includes the construction of four new high schools, two elementary schools and the renovation of 13 other schools. In addition, the district is spending more than $7 million to increase technology in the schools.

Serving more than 16,000 students, the district serves the entire county and has enjoyed many successes. Daniel High School has been named one of the nation’s top 1,500 public high schools by Newsweek magazine.

Fourteen district schools earned Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards in the last round. SAT scores for Pickens County high school students were 23 points above the national average.

Oconee County The School District of Oconee County covers a large area

in the corner of the state — 673 square miles that brings in about 10,500 students. The district has four high schools and a Code Learning Academy, which serves students in grades 7-12 who were not making satisfactory progress in a traditional setting.

Brag points are eight Palmetto Gold and Silver schools, 18 Red Carpet Schools and three designated as Palmetto’s Finest Schools.

Oconee students earned more than $14 million in college scholarships in 2011.

Laurens County Laurens School District 55 has 11 schools including one comprehensive high school, four middle schools and six elementary schools. The district also sponsors the Laurens District 55 Preparatory Academy, an at-risk program for middle and high school students. The district serves families living in the Laurens, Gray Court and Waterloo areas.

Laurens School District 56 serves more than 3,000 students in the Clinton area. The district includes a high school, three elementary schools, one middle school and the Institute for Student Advancement for eighth graders.

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Schools

ANDERSON COUNTY Anderson Christian School (Nondenominational) 864-224-7309 / Grades: K-12

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Calvary Baptist Christian School 864-338-9653 / Grades: K-12

Abbeville County School District 864-366-5427 / www.acsd.k12.sc.us

Montessori School of Anderson 864-226-5344 / Grades: K-8

Anderson School District 1 864-847-7344 / www.anderson1.k12.sc.us

New Covenant School (Presbyterian) 864-224-5675 / Grades: K-12

Anderson School District 2 864-369-7364 / www.anderson2.org

Oakwood Christian School (Baptist) 864-225-6262 / Grades: Preschool-12

Anderson School District 3 864-348-6196 / www.anderson3.k12.sc.us

Piedmont Christian Academy 864-845-5154 / Grades: K-12

Anderson School District 4 864-403-2000 / www.anderson4.k12.sc.us

St. Joseph Catholic School 864-225-5341 / Grades: K-5

Anderson School District 5 864-260-5042 / www.anderson5.net

Temple Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-226-1259 / Grades: K5-9

Cherokee County School District 864-206-2233 / www.cherokee1.k12.sc.us

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Fairfield County County School District 803-635-4607 / www.fairfield.k12.sc.us

Gaffney Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-489-3123 / Grades: 1-7

Greenville County Schools 864-355-8860 / www.greenville.k12.sc.us

Heritage Christian School (Baptist) 864-489-0788 / Grades: K5-12

Greenwood School District 50 864-941-5424 / www.gwd50.org

The Village School 864-487-5080 / Grades: K-5

Greenwood School District 51 864-456-7496 / www.gwd51.org

GREENVILLE COUNTY

Laurens County School District 55 864-984-3568 / www.laurens55.k12.sc.us Laurens County School District 56 864-833-0800 / www.lcsd56.org School District of Oconee County 864-886-4500 / www.oconee.k12.sc.us School District of Pickens County 864-397-1029 / www.pickens.k12.sc.us Spartanburg County District 1 864-472-2846 / www.spart1.org Spartanburg School District 2 864-578-0128 / www.spartanburg2.k12.sc.us Spartanburg School District 3 864-279-6003 / www.spartanburg3.org Spartanburg County School District 4 864-476-3186 / www.spartanburg4.org Spartanburg School District 5 864-949-2350 / www.spart5.net Spartanburg County School District 6 864-576-4212 / www.spart6.org Spartanburg County School District 7 864-594-4405 / www.spartanburg7.org Union County School District 864-429-1740 / www.union.k12.sc.us

PRIVATE SCHOOLS ABBEVILLE COUNTY Cold Springs School (Mennonite) 864-446-2275 / Grades: 1-12

Abundant Life Christian School 864-246-1055 / Grades: K-6 Bethel Christian Academy 864-232-3735 / Grades: Preschool-4 Bob Jones Academy 864-242-5100 / Grades: K4-12 Calvary Christian School (Baptist) 864-877-5555 / Grades: Infant-12 Camperdown Academy 864-244-8899 / Grades: 1-8 Christ Church Episcopal School 864-299-1522 / Grades: K-12 Conestee Baptist Day School 864-277-1175 / Grades: K5-12 Crosspoint Christian Academy (Assemblies of God) 864-269-7290 / Grades: PK-9 East Georgia Road Christian School (Baptist) 864-963-3455 / Grades: K-12

Our Lady of the Rosary (Catholic) 864-277-5350 / Grades: K-8

Clemson Montessori School 864-654-4483 / Grades: K-6

Pleasant View Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-877-8061 / Grades: K4-12

Community Lighthouse Academy 864-878-9678 / Grades: 1-12

Prince of Peace Catholic School 864-331-2145 / Grades: K4-8

Easley Christian School (Baptist) 864-855-8000 / Grades: K-12

Resurrected Treasure Christian Learning 864-422-0812 / Grades: 1-12

Foothills Christian Academy 864-855-9910 / Grades: 1-12

Shannon Forest Christian School 864-678-5107 / Grades: K-12

Lakeview Christian School (Baptist) 864-878-6959 / Grades: K3-12

Southside Christian School 864-234-7575 / Grades: K-12

Landmark Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-859-0793 / Grades: K-12

St. Joseph’s Catholic School 864-234-9009 / Grades: 6-12

Mount Carmel Christian School (Baptist) 864-246-8839 / Grades: K-10

St. Mary’s School (Catholic) 864-271-3870 / Grades: K4-8

Mount Olive Christian Academy 864-306-6908 / Grades: K3-12

Tabernacle Christian School (Baptist) 864-269-2781 / Grades: K-12

Pickens Mennonite School 864-878-2364 / Grades: K-12

Trinity Christian School (Baptist) 864-277-5315 / Grades: K4-12

Prince Avenue Preparatory School 864-878-6169 / Grades: 1-12

Word of Life Christian School (Pentecostal) 864-962-8892 / Grades: 9-12

Siloam Christian School (Baptist) 864-295-6949 / Grades: K-12

GREENWOOD COUNTY

Soaring Eagles Christian Academy 864-855-6781 / Grades: K-12

Calvary Christian School (Baptist) 864-229-6553 / Grades: K-7 Cambridge Academy 864-229-2875 / Grades: K4-8 East Side Christian School (Baptist) 864-229-1414 / Grades: K-12 Greenwood Christian School 864-229-2427 / Grades: K-12 Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood 864-223-0391 / Grades: K4-12 LAURENS COUNTY Faith Christian School (Baptist) 864-984-4277 / Grades: K-12 Fountain Inn Christian School 864-862-7811 / Grades: K4-12

First Evangelical Church School 864-246-2884 / Grades: K-8

Laurens Academy 864-682-2324 / Grades: K-12

Fuller Normal School (Pentecostal) 864-271-3695 / Grades: K-12

Pleasant Grove Christian Academy 864-862-7793 / Grades: K4-12

Greenville Classical Academy (Christian) 864-329-9884 / Grades: K-12

Thornwell Middle & High School (Presbyterian) 864-938-2792 / Grades: 6-12

Hampton Park Christian School (Baptist) 864-233-0556 / Grades: K-12

Lighthouse Christian School (Baptist) 864-229-3377 / Grades: K4-12

Harbor Christian Academy 864-242-3096 / Grades: 6-12

Shiloh Christian School (Mennonite) 864-379-3218 / Grades: K5-12

Haynsworth School 864-235-3010 / Grades: K-5

Poplar Springs Seventh-Day Adventist School 864-638-5963 / Grades: 1-8 PICKENS COUNTY

Faith Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-235-6848 / Grades: 9-12

Greenville Seventh-Day Adventist School 864-232-8885 / Grades: 1-8

Oconee Christian Academy 864-882-6925 / Grades: Preschool-12

Mount Zion Christian School 864-297-6646 / Grades: K-8

Hartness-Thornwell Elementary School (Presbyterian) 864-938-2771 / Grades: K-5

Lighthouse Christian Academy of Donalds Inc. 864-379-2210 / Grades: Preschool-4

12 | INTRO

Hidden Treasure Christian School (Baptist) 864-235-6848 / Grades: 1-12 Mitchell Road Christian Academy (Presbyterian) 864-268-2210 / Grades: K-8

OCONEE COUNTY Fair Play Christian School (Mennonite) 864-972-9962 / Grades: 1-12 Faith Center Academy 864-638-3476 / Grades: K-12 New Haven Christian School (Baptist) 864-638-9074 / Grades: 1-12

Victorious Valley Home & Academy (Baptist) 864-878-3070 / Grades: 7-12 SPARTANBURG County Dependent Christian School (Baptist) 864-472-0778 / Grades: 1-12 Eddlemon Adventist Junior Academy 864-576-2234 / Grades: K-9 Fairview Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-583-8924 / Grades: Preschool-4 Grace Christian School (Baptist) 864-457-3348 / Grades: K-12 Inman Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-472-2863 / Grades: K-12 Lighthouse Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-682-3422 / Grades: K4-12 Montessori Academy 864-585-3046 / Grades: K-6 Mountain View Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-463-8888 / Grades: K4-12 Spartanburg Christian Academy (Baptist) 864-578-4238 / Grades: PreK-12 Spartanburg Day School 864-582-7539 / Grades: K-12 St. Paul the Apostle School (Catholic) 864-582-6645 / Grades: K-8 Westgate Christian School (Baptist) 864-576-4953 / Grades: K-12 UNION COUNTY Union Christian Day School 864-427-4268 / Grades: Preschool-12

WELCOME

Furman University graduates.

(Photo/Courtesy of Furman University)

Higher Education

T

he Greenville area has a rich, diverse higher education community that has something for everyone.

Furman University, a private, undergraduate liberal arts college of 2,700 students in Greenville, ranks among the nation’s top institutions of higher education.

One of four colleges that receive funding from the Duke Endowment, Furman has produced leaders for South Carolina and the nation since its founding in 1826.

The university’s alumni include Charles H. Townes, who received the 1964 Nobel Prize in physics for his research on laser technology; Richard W. Riley, a former South Carolina governor who served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Clinton; Mike McConnell, former director of National Intelligence under President Bush; Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops; and LPGA Hall of Fame golfers Betsy King and Beth Daniel.

Furman has a number of distinguished scholarship programs for high-achiev-

ing high school graduates. They include the Hollingsworth Scholarship, which benefits South Carolina residents, and the Charles Townes Scholarship, which is reserved for out-of-state students. The university is also well known for its growing Asian studies program, adding to Greenville’s important and growing business and cultural ties with China.

Furman offers majors and programs in 42 areas of study and is one of an elite group of colleges that qualify for a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honorary society. Undergraduates come from 46 states and 47 countries.

Furman participates in the NCAA’s Division I and is a member of the Southern Conference. With the addition of women’s and men’s lacrosse in 2014-15, Furman’s athletic program will be comprised of 20 sports.

For a long time, Greenville was the only major metropolitan area in South Carolina without a state university. That gap in the state’s higher education patchwork is to-

Students in Clemson University’s landscape architecture program.

(Photo/Courtesy of Clemson University)

day being filled by innovative programs under the umbrella of the University Center, a consortium of public and private universities located at a 123,000-squarefoot space on McAlister Square.

Clemson University, Furman University, Lander University, the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Anderson University, the University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina Upstate are members of the University Center.

The center offers more than 500 courses during evenings and weekends yearround in more than 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Degrees are granted by the participating colleges and universities.

Tuition is set by each member institution, and all courses are taught by fulltime faculty members from the sponsoring colleges and universities. Most Furman courses are taught on its campus.

Greenville Technical College is a public, two-year community college with more INTRO | 13

E Ducation

than 160 academic programs and more than 15,000 degree-seeking students. It has four campuses: the original Barton campus on South Pleasantburg Drive; the Brashier campus in southern Greenville County; the Greer campus on Highway 290; and the Northwest campus on White Horse Road.

Greenville Tech serves an additional 21,000 students in its continuing education division.

USC Upstate, with its main campus in Spartanburg, also serves hundreds of Greenville County students at the University Center. The university recently opened The George, a $30 million business school at 160 E. St. John St. in downtown Spartanburg.

Bob Jones University is a Christian liberal arts institution. Founded in 1927 by the late Bob Jones Sr., it is said to be the world’s largest fundamental Christian school and serves 5,000 students from every state and 40 countries.

The university sits on 225 acres in the city of Greenville, has a 7,000-seat performance venue, and its museum and gallery contain one of the nation’s most extensive collections of Italian paintings.

The university offers 115 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate programs.

North Greenville University, located at the

South Carolina is home to more than 80 institutions of higher learning, including:

Three research institutions 10 comprehensive teaching institutions Four regional campuses of USC 16 technical colleges 24 independent senior institutions Two two-year independent institutions Two private professional schools 24 out-of-state degree granting institutions

beginning of the Blue Ridge escarpment, is a Baptist-affiliated, private, nonprofit institution, with more than 2,400 undergraduate students and 106 pursuing graduate degrees. Students come from 30 states and 25 countries. North Greenville boasts an average class size of 16 students who

can choose from more than 40 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree programs.

Clemson University, with its historic main campus about 30 miles west of Greenville, has made a major commitment to become Greenville’s university. Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research, near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Laurens Road, represents more than $100 million of investment by taxpayers and corporations in a world-class graduate program in automotive engineering.

The project began with a $10 million investment by German automaker BMW, and has grown to include numerous other engineering and computing companies.

The General Assembly has allocated millions of dollars to endow research chairs for professors in the graduate school.

In 2009, the university’s business college established Clemson at the Falls, consolidating many of its business graduate programs and much of its business outreach to the former Bowater Building overlooking Falls Park. The school announced plans in March 2012 to move its MBA program from the Bowater building into the Project One development downtown.

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WELCOME ical education or continuing education to thousands of students each year.

The USC School of Medicine-Greenville, which is based on the Greenville Memorial Medical Campus, opened in the summer of 2012 with a charter class of 50 students.

GHS’s 90,000-square-foot Health Sciences Education Building opened as well. The state-of-the-art education building houses the medical school program, the S.C. College of Pharmacy’s Upstate program, the USC School of Medicine-Columbia satellite Certified Nurse Anesthesia program and the GHS regional simulation center.

Colleges & Universities Anderson University 316 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621 864-231-2000 www.andersonuniversity.edu Bob Jones University 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd.

Greenville, SC 29614 800-252-6363 www.bju.edu Brown Mackie College 75 Beattie Place, Suite 100 Greenville, SC 29601 864-239-5300 www.brownmackie.edu/greenville Clemson at the Falls/Clemson MBA 55 E. Camperdown Way Greenville, SC 29601 864-656-3975 www.clemson.edu/mba Clemson University 201 Sikes Hall Clemson, SC 29634 864-656-4233 www.clemson.edu Converse College 580 E. Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29302 864-596-9040 www.converse.edu

Clemson University’s historic main campus is located about 30 miles west of Greenville. (Photo/Courtesy of Clemson University)

GHS already has 14 accredited medical residency programs and fellowship programs in areas ranging from family medicine and pediatrics to surgery, orthopedic surgery and vascular medicine. Its Medical Experience Academy also provides a workforce development pipeline to encourage middle-school and high-school students to go into health care fields.

In nearby Spartanburg, six colleges offer a variety of higher education options, including Converse College and Wofford College, four-year schools established in 1890 and 1854, respectively. USC Upstate, a four-year public university, offers bachelor’s degree programs in liberal arts, sciences, business administration, nursing and teacher education, as well as master’s degree programs in education. Spartanburg also is home to Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College and Sherman College of Chiropractic.

ECPI University 1001 Keys Drive, Suite 100 Greenville, SC 29615 864-288-2828 www.ecpi.edu Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine — Carolinas Campus (VCOM) 350 Howard St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-327-9800 www.vcom.vt.edu Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 225 S. Pleasantburg, Suite E-7 Greenville, SC 29607 864-233-5288 www.erau.edu Erskine College P.O. Box 338 Due West, SC 29639 864-379-2131 www.erskine.edu Erskine Theological Seminary P.O. Box 668 Due West, SC 29639 800-770-6936 www.erskine.edu/seminary Furman University 3300 Poinsett Highway Greenville, SC 29613 864-294-2000 www.furman.edu

Gardner-Webb University, Spartanburg Campus 101 E. Wood St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 877-498-4723 www.gardner-webb.edu

Southern Wesleyan University Adult & Graduate Studies 84 Villa Road Greenville, SC 29615 864-672-7981 www.swu.edu

Geneva Reformed Seminary 1207 Haywood Road Greenville, SC 29615 864-268-7071 www.grsonline.org

Spartanburg Community College P.O. Box 4386 Spartanburg, SC 29305 864-592-4900 www.sccsc.edu

Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary P.O. Box 690 Taylors, SC 29687 864-322-2717 www.gpts.edu

Strayer University 555 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 300 Greenville, SC 29607 864-250-7000 www.strayer.edu

Greenville Technical College P.O. Box 5616 Greenville, SC 29606 864-250-8000, 864-250-8282 www.gvltec.edu Holmes Bible College P.O. Box 14188 Greenville, SC 29610-4188 864-246-3566 www.holmes.edu Lander University 320 Stanley Ave. Greenwood, SC 29649-2099 864-388-8300 www.lander.edu Limestone College 1115 College Drive Gaffney, SC 29340 864-489-7151 www.limestone.edu North Greenville University P.O. Box 1892 Tigerville, SC 29688-1892 864-977-7000 www.ngu.edu North Greenville University T. Walter Brashier Graduate School 1400 Locust Hill Road Greer, SC 29651 864-877-3052 www.ngu.edu Piedmont Technical College P.O. Box 1467 Greenwood, SC 29648-1467 864-941-8324 www.ptc.edu Presbyterian College 503 S. Broad St. Clinton, SC 29325 864-833-2820 www.presby.edu Sherman College of Chiropractic P.O. Box 1452 Spartanburg, SC 29304 864-578-8770 www.sherman.edu

Tri-County Technical College P.O. Box 587 Pendleton, SC 29670 864-646-8361 www.tctc.edu The University Center of Greenville Inc. 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive Greenville, SC 29607 864-250-1111 www.ucgreenville.org University of Phoenix Greenville Learning Center 125 The Parkway, Unit 100 Greenville, SC 29615 864-675-2300 www.phoenix.edu University of South Carolina Upstate 800 University Way Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-503-5000 www.uscupstate.edu USC School of Medicine at Greenville Memorial Hospital 701 Grove Road Greenville, SC 29605 864-455-7992 www.greenvillemed.sc.edu Virginia College 78 Global Drive, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29607 864-679-4900 www.vc.edu Webster University — Greenville Metropolitan Campus 124 Verdae Blvd., Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29607 864-676-9002 www.webster.edu/greenville Wofford College 429 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-597-4000 www.wofford.edu

INTRO | 15

Taking care

Health care professionals check a patient at a Greenville Hospital System facility. (Photo/ Courtesy of Greenville Hospital System)

Taking Care

H

ealth care organizations in the Upstate don’t just focus on taking care of those who are sick, they also work vigorously to reduce their client list by showing the people of the region how to live healthier lives. That approach to health and wellness has led the Upstate to be a regional leader in health care delivery.

Greenville County Two major health care systems call Greenville County home and offer more than a dozen points of service delivery. Greenville Hospital System offers a full range of trauma care, surgical services and elective procedures. St. Francis Health System has facilities at several locations around the county and continues to expand as the county grows.

Together, the two systems comprise the largest employment sector in the county.

Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center is a nonprofit teaching and research institution that delivers high-quality, patient- and family-centered care. As a university medical center, and one of the largest publicly accountable 16 | INTRO

health systems in the Southeast, it provides a variety of health services and facilities, including Greenville Memorial Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Cancer Center, Marshall I. Pickens Hospital-Behavioral Health, Roger C. Peace Hospital-Rehabilitation and Women’s Hospital — all on the Greenville Memorial Medical Campus.

Greenville Memorial is the region’s largest hospital. It serves as a regional referral, teaching and research facility. As home to a Level 1 Emergency Trauma Center, the hospital also provides emergency services for the most severe injuries 24 hours a day.

Other medical campuses are located in Simpsonville, North Greenville, Greer and on Greenville’s eastside. A short-stay hospital at Patewood near Haywood Mall opened in 2007 and vascular and musculoskeletal institutes have been added near this new facility.

A nursing home debuted in 2007 on the new Greer Medical Campus; in 2008, medical offices and the 82-bed Greer Memorial Hospital opened on the campus.

Hillcrest Memorial Hospital, Simpsonville Life Center Health & Conditioning Club and Hillcrest Medical Offices

Laurens County Health Care System is recognized as a leader in community hospitals.

(Photo/Courtesy of Laurens County Health Care System)

WELCOME are all located on the Simpsonville Medical Campus. Specializing in short-stay and outpatient surgical procedures, Hillcrest Memorial Hospital offers the latest technology and an experienced surgical team.

As a result of its continually increasing role in academics, Greenville Hospital System has achieved university medical center status and is partnering with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. GHS also is a founding partner of Health Sciences South Carolina, a coalition that aims to improve the health and economic well being of the state through a coordinated strategy to advance research and education.

St. Francis Health System is part of Bon Secours Health System Inc. Founded in Greenville in 1932 as a private nonprofit institution, St. Francis has 338 beds, performs more than 18,000 surgeries annually, serves nearly 180,000 patients annually, and hosts about 2,400 births each year. It also provides about $66 million in free services annually.

The main St. Francis hospital downtown is a 245-bed, all private room facility that offers a complete range of surgical and diagnostic services. St. Francis Eastside is a 93-

bed hospital that includes obstetrics and gynecology care, orthopedics, radiology and a neonatal care unit. The eastside campus also provides 24-hour emergency room services.

St. Francis Millennium on Innovation Drive is home to the St. Francis Institute for Chronic Health and a sleep center. St. Francis also operates an outpatient center near its downtown campus, the Pearlie Harris Center for Breast Health and the Upstate Surgery Center.

Open Arms Hospice on West Georgia Road in Simpsonville also is a St. Francis facility.

Spartanburg County Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System has been serving the community for more than 90 years. Recognized for its technological excellence throughout the Southeast, Spartanburg Regional’s surgeons are among the South’s most experienced in robotic surgery. Surgeons use robotics to perform prostate, kidney, lung, urologic, gynecological as well as complex heart surgeries.

Spartanburg Regional also offers a full array of services from home health, imaging services, pediatrics, occupational health, sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Residents can also seek specialized care at the Gibbs Cancer Center, the Heart Center and the BeardenJosey Center for Breast Health.

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s sprawling services reach three South Carolina counties and two in North Carolina and include freestanding facilities such as newer facilities on Pelham Road, just at the Greenville-Spartanburg county line.

The Village at Pelham Medical Campus is located on 90 acres near the intersection of S.C. 14 and Interstate 85. The campus consists of a medical office building, the Village Hospital and the Surgery Center at Pelham.

A medical office building features onsite laboratory services, state-of-the-art imaging equipment, vascular services, occupational medicine and physical therapy. A minor care facility in the medical office building ensures local residents have a place to be treated for smaller emergencies.

The building also features a Health Resource Center — a place where patients, their families and the community can access or review health care educational materials.

The Surgery Center at Pelham, opened in 2004, offers a range of surgical specialties, including orthopedics, plastic surgery, urology and gynecology.

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Trust INTRO | 17

Taking care

Anderson and Pickens counties The Joint Commission, an accrediting and certification agency, named AnMed Health Medical Center a top performer on key quality measures for 2011, a first for the system.

AnMed Health consists of four inpatient hospitals including a 461-bed acute care hospital, a Women’s and Children’s Hospital with 72 private rooms, a Health Rehabilitation Hospital with 37 inpatient beds and an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Wellspring is the organization’s 27-bed chemical dependency hospital and outpatient treatment center. AnMed Health attracts patients from an eight-county area and has more than 40 patient care sites in the Upstate and Georgia.

AnMed receives almost 600,000 outpatient visits in a year and more than 100,000 emergency department visits.

In addition, AnMed includes a Cardiac and Orthopaedic Center, a Cancer Center, a Digestive Health Center and more.

The major health care facilities serving Pickens County include Cannon Memorial Hospital and Palmetto Health Baptist Easley.

Celebrating 50 years of service in 2008, Palmetto Health Baptist Easley of-

A patient is examined in the coronary care unit of Greenville Hospital System. (Photo/Courtesy of Greenville Hospital System)

fers a 109-bed general acute care facility. Its services include surgery, lithotripsy, MRI, CT scan, and emergency and outpatient care, as well as cardiopulmonary services. It employs more than 236 medical staffers and 250 registered nurses who serve more than 112,000 outpatients and 5,000 inpatients annually.

Cannon Memorial Hospital opened in 1949 as a three-room clinic and has evolved into a 55-bed facility, today associated with AnMed Health. Its 60 physicians have access to a full range of the latest medical

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technology, equipment and services.

Laurens County Laurens County Health Care System opened in 1990 and is licensed for 90 beds (76 acute and 14 skilled nursing).

With more than 450 full-time and parttime employees and 60 volunteers, it has a quality medical staff of more than 48 physicians and 65 consulting physicians.

The system has grown to include extensive community outreach as well as caring for the sick.

WELCOME

Hospital Resource Guide

Greenville Memorial Hospital is the region’s largest. (Photo/Courtesy of Greenville Hospital System)

AnMed Health 800 N. Fant St. Anderson, SC 29621 864-512-1000 www.anmedhealth.org

Baptist Easley Hospital 200 Fleetwood Drive Easley, SC 29640 864-442-7200 www.baptisteasley.org

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System 1 St. Francis Drive Greenville, SC 29601 864-255-1000 www.stfrancishealth.org

Cannon Memorial Hospital U.S. Highway 178, W.G. Acker Drive Pickens, SC 29671 864-878-4791 www.cannonhospital.org

Carolina Center for Behavioral Health 2700 E. Phillips Road Greer, SC 29650 864-235-2335 www.thecarolinacenter.com

Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Greenville

701 Grove Road Greenville, SC 29605-5601 864-455-7000 www.ghs.org

950 W. Faris Road Greenville, SC 29605 864-271-3444 www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

Laurens County Health Care System

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

22725 Highway 76 E. Clinton, SC 29325 864-833-9100 www.lchcs.org

101 E. Wood St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-560-6000 www.spartanburgregional.com

Mary Black Health System

Springbrook Behavioral Health System

1700 Skylyn Drive Spartanburg, SC 29304 864-573-3000 www.maryblackhealthsystem.com

Oconee Medical Center 298 Memorial Drive Seneca, SC 29672 864-482-3100 www.oconeemed.org

Self Regional Healthcare

1 Havenwood Lane Travelers Rest, SC 29690 864-834-8013 www.springbrookbehavioral.com

Upstate Carolina Medical Center 1530 N. Limestone St. Gaffney, SC 29340 864-487-4271 www.upstatecarolina.org

1325 Spring St. Greenwood, SC 29646 864-725-4111 www.selfregional.org

INTRO | 19

GRE E N VI LLE

Furman University’s bell tower is seen across the lake.

(Photo/Courtesy of Furman University)

Living in

At right, elephants at the Greenville Zoo. (Photo/S. Kevin Greene)

Greenville Rich in views, arts and opportunity

R

The Liberty Bridge stretches over the Reedy River at Falls Park. (Photo/Courtesy of Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau) 20 | INTRO

eedy River Falls has been a magnet for homes and business since European settlers first entered the land of the Cherokee more than two centuries ago. Now it’s helping make Greenville a vacation draw.

The Reedy River powered 18th century mills and remained a source of energy for industrial sites through the 19th and 20th centuries. The falls primarily served an industrial purpose, however — a practical means to an end, like a janitor’s closet. The natural beauty of the site was mostly hidden by factory walls and vines.

Today, the falls environs comprise the centerpiece of a vibrant entertainment and business district that attracts visitors from around the world. Like the rest of Greenville, the waterfall has shed its old identity as a place that supports cotton mills and taken on a new mantle as a great place live, work and visit. In fact, Livability.com called Greenville a “charmpacked delight” in naming it one of America’s top 10 cities for affordable vacations.

A graceful foot bridge sweeps across the Reedy River Falls’ shallow gorge and gives pedestrians a splendid view of the falls that nurtured the city’s growth.

Greenville is renowned for its arts community. Overlooking the Reedy River Falls Park is the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts. A block from the falls is the Peace Center, a complex of theaters and entertainment ven-

living GREENVILLE

Photo/S. Kevin Greene

ues that hosts traveling stage shows, local musical performances and business meetings. A few blocks away is the Bi-Lo Center, which attracts concerts by headliner entertainers and sports events. Several local theater companies have performance venues scattered across a downtown district that has matured to feel more old world village than upstart city.

Leave the downtown district, and Greenville features Victorian neighborhoods where historic homes are tenderly maintained and occupied by families that treasure their heritage.

One such community is the Hampton-Pinckney district, where railroad engineers and employees raised their families more than a century ago.

Farther afield, communities and golf courses spread across the Blue Ridge escarpment, attracting golfing giants such as Tiger Woods and Gary Player to design courses and participate in the region’s growth.

Greenville is a major metropolitan area, nestled in rolling hills 1,000 feet above sea level. It is uniquely located to offer the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains within an easy drive, including America’s castle, the Biltmore House, and spectacular vistas from 3,000-foot elevations at Caesars Head. Numerous lakes, large and small, dot the landscape and provide thousands of home sites for residents in search of a natural setting.

First-class health care services are provided by Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center and the St. Francis Health System, at more than a dozen locations around the county. Furman University, Clemson University, Greenville Technical College, Bob Jones University, North Greenville University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate provide world-class education for the region’s youth, as well as continuing education for mid-career professionals and enrichment opportunities for retirees.

A stable housing market and diverse manufacturing and services economy provide impressive career and living opportunities, with an economy that fared well against the rest of the country during the economic downturn that peaked in 2008.

Top, the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville; middle left, outdoor dining downtown; middle right, a trolley Greenville has become the jewel in the transports visitors; bottom, taking in a Greenville Drive game at Fluor Field. (Middle and bottom photos/Courtesy crown of the South Carolina piedmont.

Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Greenville Drive) INTRO | 21

SPARTAN BURG

Morgan Square. (Photo/Courtesy of Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Living in

Spartanburg New industry finds home alongside storied textile manufacturing business

M

ix Old South and Old World, throw in the very best manufacturing technology and sprinkle in six-spice higher education. Simmer with arts and you get Spartanburg County.

Spartanburg remains a player in textiles, its traditional industrial base. But the city and county are home to new industry now, much of it owned by international concerns who bring jobs and culture, attracted by a good workforce and a community bolstered by six colleges.

Named after the Spartan regiment of the South Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War, Spartanburg is a melting pot of old and new Americana.

With a textile history dating back to 1816, Spartanburg became known as the “the Lowell of the South” for its great cluster of cotton mills, which thrived next to nearby streams and rivers. While many have closed in the face 22 | INTRO

of increased economic globalization, some evolved and continue to flourish.

Spartanburg is home to Milliken & Co., one of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers in the world.

Based in Spartanburg since 1958, the company has 39 facilities worldwide working with more than 19,000 different textile and chemical products. Milliken has made good on its corporate motto, “Quality leadership through research,” with more than 2,000 U.S. patents and 5,000 worldwide.

No matter where you are in Spartanburg County, you’ll encounter Southern hospitality but the person who greets you might have a German accent. Spartanburg has the highest per capita foreign investment in the country, with more than 110 international firms representing some 15 countries. Companies such as BMW Manufacturing Co., Cryovac, Denny’s Corp., Michelin NA Inc., Kohler Inc. and Reeves Brothers Inc. all call Spartanburg home.

The city of Spartanburg brings live jazz to its downtown. Jazz on the Square features some of the area’s best musicians. (Photo/Courtesy of Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau)

living SPARTANBURG Within the Central Business District, a new creative movement has risen. The Chapman Cultural Center is a three building complex that opened on St. John Street in 2007. It houses the Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg, Ballet Spartanburg, Carolina Foothills Artisan Center, The Music Foundation of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg County Historical Association, Spartanburg Little Theatre and Spartanburg Youth Theatre, The Spartanburg Repertory Company and the Spartanburg Science Center.

Several blocks down on Daniel Morgan Avenue is Hub-Bub, a gathering place for young artists, musicians, writers and actors. Above The Showroom, Hub-Bub’s gallery and performance space, there are three emerging artists and one creative writer who live for free and create as part of the Artists-in-Residence Program. A sister program, The Hub City Writers project, founded in 1995, has helped publish books by nearly 250 writers.

The Magnolia Street Train Depot, built in 1904, stands as a reminder of the city’s history as a center for transportation routes in the South. Spartanburg was once nicknamed the “Hub City.”

More than 10,000 students at six colleges and universities fuel the creative energy in Spartanburg. Located downtown, Wofford College, founded in 1854, is a small liberal arts college. The campus serves as the Carolina Panthers’ training camp in July and August.

On the corner of East Main and North Pine streets sits Converse College, a liberal arts women’s college founded in 1890.

The University of South Carolina Upstate, located near Interstate 85 and S.C. 176, is the fastest growing university in South Carolina. The university, nearing 6,000 students, opened a 60,000-square-foot business school in Spartanburg’s downtown in 2010 and launched a $50 million fundraising campaign in 2012.

Spartanburg is also home to two two-year institutions, each with a uniquely defined mission. Spartanburg Community College, with more than 4,000 students, is a lead-

Above, a BMW X5 vehicle is driven along an off-road course. BMW currently produces the X3, X5 and X6 models at its Spartanburg County plant. Below, people dance during downtown Spartanburg’s weekly event, Music on Main. (Photo/Courtesy of Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau)

er in technical education. Spartanburg Methodist College, founded in 1911, is a private junior college affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

At Sherman College of Chiropractic, students from across the country come to its 80-acre campus in Spartanburg to study the practice that focuses on the correction of vertebral subluxation. The college has been training doctors of chiropractic since 1976.

Three shopping districts have been reborn in Spartanburg over the past decade.

Near Interstate 26 on the western side of Spartanburg, WestGate Mall and the Dorman Centre shopping center stand out among a bustling retail corridor. Across town, you’ll find Hillcrest Specialty Row and a number of large retailers along S.C. 29.

In the center of it all lies Morgan Square, named after the general who commanded the American forces at the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War. A blend of local retailers and restaurants, the downtown district continues to evolve as the core of Spartanburg’s nightlife.

INTRO | 23

ANDE RSON COUN T Y

Buccaneer National Championship Sailboat Races, Lake Hartwell.

(Photo/Courtesy of Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Division)

Living in

Anderson County Outdoor adventure, a bustling business sector energize lakeside community

A

nderson has a history of being modern.

Established in 1826 and named for the American Revolution’s Gen. Robert Anderson, Anderson County’s principle city was dubbed “The Electric City” in 1897. It was the first city in the United States to have a continuous supply of electricity.

Anderson was home to engineer William Whitner, who developed a way to Weigh-in at the power textile mills Wal-Mart FLW with hydroelectriciFishing Tournament. ty conducted by wires.

(Photo courtesy of

Today’s AnderAnderson County son is still “electric” and Parks, Recreation remains energized with & Tourism Division.) outdoor adventures, a bustling business community and new innovations.

One of Anderson’s grand attractions is 24 | INTRO

Lake Hartwell. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the waters attract more than 10.6 million visitors annually. Lake Hartwell encompasses nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles.

The lake is dotted with boat landings, recreation areas, campgrounds and marinas. In addition to its recreational use, rowing teams from the Northeast and Midwest come to Anderson to train in the late winter. Anglers from across the U.S. come to take part in various fishing tournaments.

The Bassmaster Classic — the “Super Bowl” of professional bass fishing tournaments — took place on Lake Hartwell in February 2008. The tournament had an economic impact of more than $13 million in the Upstate, according to tourism officials. The lake also is home to events such as the Spring Fever Regatta, one of the country’s bestknown twin-hull catamaran races.

In addition to fishing and sailing, Ander-

living ANDERSON COUNTY

Anderson County historic courthouse at night.

(Photo/Courtesy of Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Division)

son has hosted a number of sporting events, including youth basketball, baseball, softball and soccer tournaments. Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Arena, a 3,000-seat indoor show arena, attracts equine and livestock events almost every weekend.

From small private parties to concerts to the circus, the 3,200-seat Civic Center of Anderson hosts a variety of events.

The annual Balloons Over Anderson is a three-day hot-air balloon festival at the 337-acre Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center. Held in the fall, the city hosts more than 80 hot-air balloons, food vendors, a children’s play area, remote control airplane show and concerts.

In Anderson’s downtown, there’s a new kind of electricity as the city’s Central Business District has witnessed a revitalization of new retailers, office space and condominium development.

The Calhoun and The Chiquola condominium projects have brought more people downtown to live, work and play.

The Electric City Playhouse brings the best of community theater downtown.

Feeding into downtown is Clemson Boulevard, a thriving shopping district anchored

by Anderson Mall. The retail corridor also

features Anderson Station, North Pointe Centre and a Wal-Mart shopping center.

The new Midtown Park is also on Clemson Boulevard and features Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Staples and other stores.

On U.S. 29, Anderson is home to the South’s largest flea market. Since its inception in 1974, the Anderson Jockey Lot & Farmers Market has grown to 1,500 dealers and 65 acres, attracting 30,000-60,000 people each weekend. In 2006, it was listed as the state’s most visited attraction.

Other towns and communities in Anderson County include Belton, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, West Pelzer, Starr, Williamston and Pendleton, a picturesque community with a town square and a unique history as a summertime getaway for Lowcountry residents wanting to escape mosquitoes and malaria.

High-tech manufacturing and innovative research still have their mark in Anderson. More than 230 manufacturers including 22 international companies are located in Anderson County.

Companies such as Associated Fuel Pumps Systems Corp., Michelin NA, Orian Rugs and Sargent Metal Fabricators call Anderson home.

Thirty-seven miles of Interstate 85

frontage is located in Anderson County, more than any county in the Upstate.

In June 2007, Walgreen Co. opened a distribution center in Anderson. At full capacity, the center is expected to employ up to 800 workers and ship approximately 80,000 cases daily to more than 700 Walgreens stores across the Southeast. Michelin recently announced plans for a $750 million investment in Anderson and Lexington counties to meet growing demand for the massive tires used on earth-moving equipment.

It will bring about 500 jobs to the state.

Clemson University’s Advanced Materials Center, an innovation campus and technology park in Anderson, is all about making products smarter, better and faster. Inside Clemson’s 111,000-squarefoot research laboratory are some of the world’s brightest researchers. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense and NASA have all recognized the laboratory’s work and have offered funding to fuel future innovation.

Besides a large chunk of the Clemson extended campus and forest, Anderson County also is home to Anderson University and Tri-County Technical College.

Anderson continues to be a place where outdoor adventure and innovation fuel a community.

Mass ascension during the Balloons over Anderson festival, held the first weekend in November.

(Photo/Courtesy of Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Division)

INTRO | 25

LAKE KE OW E E

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards has a golf course with nine holes right on the lake. (Photo/Courtesy of Justin Winter)

Living AT

Lake Keowee A historic community full of natural beauty

W

here Lake Keowee’s clear blue waters sparkle, Cherokee traders once carried goods for exchange with British settlers. Nearby, soldiers guarded a palisade-bound fort built by the British to help protect the Cherokee from the French.

At the bottom of the lake in northwestern South Carolina lies whatever is left of Keowee Town, the largest and most important of the Cherokee Lower Towns, and of Fort Prince George, named for the prince who later became King George III. “There’s so much history in the area,” said Justin Winter, a local real estate broker and resident of the area for 10 years.

“We have petroglyphs from prehistoric peoples. We’re always finding arrowheads and shards of pottery.”

The Lake Keowee area’s natural beauty and bountiful resources have made it an attractive home since long before it became a magnet for upscale development.

Today on the lake’s north end there are three outstanding neighborhoods of The Cliffs Communities: The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls and The Cliffs at Keowee Springs.

Another family-oriented communi-

26 | INTRO

ty is The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

All are private gated communities with golf courses and other amenities. With a membership in any one of The Cliffs communities, residents have access to all seven of the other Cliffs offerings, including those in the Asheville, N.C., area.

Lake Keowee is a crystal clear lake fed by mountain springs. It is fed from Lake Jocassee, also known for its clean, clear water. In the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the area is known for fly fishing (trout and bass), boating, sailing and water-skiing, hiking and golf.

Keowee is a man-made lake constructed in 1971 by Duke Power Co. for hydroelectric power. It covers the site of Keowee Town, capital of the Lower Cherokee Nation, and the word is thought to mean “Place of the Mulberries.”

Because the acreage was logged for timber before the lake was filled, there are few submerged log hazards for boating that are common in other lakes.

The lake has 300 miles of shoreline and 18,500 surface acres of water. It is 23 miles long and two miles across at its widest point.

It provides water to Greenville and Seneca.

Lake Keowee is mostly in Oconee Coun-

ty but also extends into Pickens County. Nearby towns are Seneca at the south end of the lake and Pickens to the west.

Clemson is close by and provides all the pleasures of a big university — sports, arts and academia. Greenville is an easy drive, with its restaurants, music concerts, art museum and extensive shopping.

To the north of the lake are 30,000 acres of state parks, a boon to those who love the outdoors. Keowee-Toxaway Natural Area, Table Rock and Caesars Head state parks are just a few of the choices.

Before Lake Keowee was built, major archaeological work was done. Artifacts from the Cherokee and British are on display in the Pickens County Museum of Art and History.

A historic church, McKinney Chapel, inside The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, has been reactivated for services once a month and on special occasions.

The church, founded in 1820, has a graveyard where a niece of Daniel Boone is buried. The chapel choir goes on tour and performs at a Christmas service in the barn at the Vineyards’ equestrian center.

Residents of The Cliffs Communities come from all over, from the West Coast, Florida, England and other places. They come for the beautiful scenery and the favorable climate, with four distinct seasons but few extremes. Some are retirees, others have vacation homes here.

Young families tend to choose The Reserve at Lake Keowee with its familyfriendly amenities. Active retirees play golf, bridge and tennis but also volunteer in local charities and schools.

Here are some highlights of these Lake Keowee communities: The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards: equestrian center with access to Jocassee Gorges; marina; wellness/tennis/therapy center; clubhouse; 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course with nine holes directly on the lake.

The Cliffs at Keowee Falls: Jack Nicklaus-designed course featuring a creek and ponds; clubhouse; shopping center; Falls Creek Waterfall Park; six tennis courts, a basketball court and walking trails.

The Cliffs at Keowee Springs: Beach Club with family pool; Tom Fazio-designed golf course; the PGA Tour Academy.

The Reserve at Lake Keowee: Village Town Center; guest house; Jack Nicklausdesigned golf course; family pool, lakeside pavilion and grill; market, parks and trails; Founders Hall and much more.

Living in

F

rom tailors and textiles, Laurens County has made slow but steady progress into the 21st century.

The countryside is still rural. The Enoree River still flows freely where 200 American partisans defeated a force of British followers. In the Sumter National Forest, animals abound, much as they did when the first white settlers arrived in the 18th century.

Although the textile industry has gone away, today Laurens County is a growing region adding jobs in warehouse/ distribution, metal forging, ceramics and automotive-related industries.

Laurens County comprises 715 square miles that include the county seat of Laurens as well as the towns of Clinton, Cross Hill, Fountain Inn, Gray Court, Ware Shoals and Waterloo.

Several Revolutionary War battles were fought in the county, including the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill in 1780. Today, the battle site is a state park with educational exhibits.

The local historic courthouse was built in 1840. But many of the county’s most interest-

Photo/Courtesy of Laurens County Dev. Corp.

Laurens County

The Laurens County Courthouse was built in 1840. It is one of many historic buildings located in the county.

ing buildings are its historic churches. Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church, organized in 1764, is the oldest church in Laurens County.

Laurens is home to more than 70,000 residents. Along its western side, Laurens County borders Greenville County, and that area has seen industrial growth. New businesses are high-tech, and some supply the BMW Manufac-

turing plant in Spartanburg County.

The Laurens County Higher Education Center in Clinton is a 39,000-squarefoot facility serving Piedmont Technical College students. It also hosts USC Union at Laurens and Laurens County Adult Education (Lifelong Learning).

Presbyterian College, located in Clinton, is a Carnegie One Liberal Arts College affiliated with Presbyterian Church (USA). About 1,200 students attend the school. It has achieved a reputation as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. The college also recently established the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy.

Private and public lakes abound in Laurens County, including Lake Greenwood and Lake Rabon. The Enoree and Saluda rivers provide fishing and boating opportunities.

Laurens County has two private 18hole golf courses: Musgrove Mill and Lakeside Country Club. Rolling S Golf Club is a public 18-hole course.

The Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest consists of more than 170,000 acres located in Laurens County and the adjoining counties of Newberry, Union, Chester and Fairfield.

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INTRO | 27

Laurens county

living

oconee county Rafting the area’s scenic rivers can’t be beat. (Photo/Courtesy of Oconee County Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Living in

Oconee County Mountain community offers beautiful lake vistas

U

pstate South Carolina offers some of the most exciting and beautiful lake vistas in North America. Lakes Jocassee, Hartwell and Keowee, nestled in the extreme northwest corner of South Carolina, combine the rich history of the Cherokee people with modern amenities such as golf courses, marinas and campgrounds.

Oconee County appropriately takes its name from a Cherokee word meaning “land beside the water.” Its population of about 75,000 has grown steadily over the past decade. Many of its newest residents have come for the spectacular mountain living available in new communities springing up around the lakes.

With 625 square miles, its population has plenty of elbow room compared to more densely populated parts of the state.

Jocassee is the uppermost of the lakes.

Known for cool and clear blue water fed by mountain streams, the deep lake is popular among trout fishermen. With rocky banks rising steeply from the water’s edge, Jocassee is also a favorite destination for photographers and hikers. It also has the state’s healthiest population of smallmouth bass.

At its dam, the waters of Jocassee spill into Lake Keowee. Both lakes are managed by Duke Energy, which has a nucle-

28 | INTRO

ar power station on Keowee. The lakes are known among sportsmen for their clean water. The 18,500-acre lake with 300 miles of shoreline brings visitors and residents to Lake Keowee for fishing, boating, water-skiing, camping, swimming and picnicking.

The northern end of Keowee is in the mountains, with the shores giving way to gentler hills as it gets closer to its southern end in Seneca, the largest city in Oconee County. Eventually, those waters spill into Lake Hartwell, the largest lake in the chain with almost 1,000 miles of shore and the warmer and murkier waters prized by largemouth bass fishermen.

Access to water and the beautiful scenery have made the lakes attractive to highend developers who have built communities such as The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

The S.C. Homebuilders Association recently awarded a home built there by The Berry Group a Pinnacle Award, which is given for outstanding craftsmanship in the construction of quality homes.

A Jack Nicklaus golf course and more than $100 million of amenities makes The Reserve at Lake Keowee one of the premier mountain developments in the Southeast. The golf course at the Reserve at Lake Keowee, Sunset, is ranked No. 8 in the Upstate by the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel.

And that’s not the only spectacular golf venue in Oconee County. The Cliffs at Keowee Springs, which opened in 2009, debuted in the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel’s selections in 2010 at No. 31 statewide. Four of the Cliffs’ courses earned places in the top 50 and are ranked Nos. 3-6 among Upstate courses. The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, Sunset, ranked No. 3 in the Upstate, followed by Cliffs at Keowee Falls, Salem, at No. 4 and Cliffs at Keowee Springs, Six Mile, at No. 6.

Few counties are blessed with as many public recreational venues as Oconee County, including county, state and national parks and forest lands.

Oconee State Park comprises 1,165 acres, two mountain lakes, campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas and hiking trails. The park also is the western terminus for the 85-mile Foothills Trail, which crosses the state’s mountain crest and ends at Jones Gap State Park. For those who prefer to enjoy the views from a vehicle, S.C. 11, also called the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, follows approximately the same route as the Foothills Trail.

There are 25 waterfalls in Oconee County and a number of scenic rivers, including the best known of them all — the Chattooga River that forms the northern border between South Carolina and Georgia. Many of the falls and rivers are easy to access.

At Oconee Station State Historic Site, for example, Station Cove Falls can be found just off S.C. 11. A 1.5-mile nature trail connects to a half-mile trail into Sumter National Forest and ends at Station Cove Falls, a 60-foot waterfall considered one of the most picturesque in South Carolina.

The park also contains Oconee Station, a stone blockhouse used as an outpost by the U.S. military from about 1792 to 1799, and the William Richards House, named for the Irish immigrant who built it as a trading post in 1805.

North of county seat Walhalla, Issaqueena Falls and the nearby Stumphouse Tunnel are an easy walk from a parking area in a city-operated park.

Besides Seneca and Walhalla, other towns in Oconee County include Westminster, West Union and Salem. The unincorporated Long Creek and Mountain Rest draw a lot of visitors, Long Creek for apples and Mountain Rest for its annual Hillbilly Day festival on July 4. Both towns serve as a gateway to some of the most rugged and beautiful mountains in South Carolina.

pickens county

living

View of Table Rock. (Photo/Dave Allen Photography )

Living in

Pickens County County serves as the home of Clemson University

L

na in the early 1800s. With a population of more than 119,000, Pickens County is one of the area’s fastest-growing counties and the 14th largest of 46 South Carolina counties.

Manufacturing, leisure and hospitality are the largest employers in the county, followed by retail trade, education and health services.

Photo/Courtesy of Pickens Revitalization

ocated in the northwest corner of the Palmetto State, Pickens County may be known best as home of Clemson University.

Clemson began as a small agricultural college in 1889 with an enrollment of just 446. Today, that small school of military cadets has become one of the country’s top public coeducational research universities with more than 19,000 students.

Fort Hill at the heart of campus was the home of the university’s founder, former ambassador Thomas Green Clemson. He inherited the home and land from his father-in-law, John C. Calhoun, one of South Carolina’s most famous politicians and one-time vice president of the United States. The home is a museum today and open to the public six days a week.

Clemson University has brought great recognition to the region and serves as one of the county’s largest employers.

But just down the road are two additional institutions of higher learning: Southern Wesleyan University, a liberal arts Christian college that serves more than 2,400 graduate and undergraduate students; and Tri-County Technical College, one of the largest of the state’s technical colleges with almost 7,000 students.

Pickens County is named for Gen. Andrew Pickens Jr., a Revolutionary War hero who served as governor of South Caroli-

Community residents enjoying a stroll along historic Main Street in downtown Pickens.

The county’s cities and towns include Clemson, Pickens (the county seat), Easley, Central, Six Mile, Liberty and Norris. The crossroads community of Pumpkintown is a gateway to the mountains that brings out thousands each fall for the Pumpkintown Festival. Easley is the largest of the towns with more than 17,000 residents. Its beautiful, his-

toric Main Street is home to varied businesses and serves as the backdrop to numerous community festivals and events.

For more than a decade, Easley has hosted the Big League World Series, bringing in teams and fans from around the world.

The Big League World Series is the 16- to 18-year-old division of Little League baseball.

Pickens County is called the gem of the foothills because of its proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, its beauty and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. It spans 497 square miles and offers a plethora of water-based activities at Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee. Avid hikers also flock to the region to explore Table Rock State Park, which offers camping and fishing in two lakes. It also serves as the trailhead for the 80-mile long Foothills Trail.

Residents and visitors alike enjoy cultural attractions including the South Carolina Botanical Garden, the Campbell Museum of Natural History and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, all at Clemson University; the Pickens County Museum and Hagood Mill historic site; the Central Railroad Museum; the Haygood-Mauldin House; and Ferne’s Doll and Miniature Museum.

The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University brings world-class musicians and performers, as well as student and faculty productions, to the community.

INTRO | 29

Sports and Recreation

W

Photo/Courtesy of City of Greenville

30 | INTRO

The Upstate is known for championship-caliber collegiate athletics. In 2011, the Clemson Tigers won the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship. (Photo/Courtesy of Clemson University)

day’s festivities include other activities to promote healthy living and philanthropy.

The Upstate is also home to many lakeside parks, recreation areas, fishing piers and boat ramps. In 2008, ESPN’s Bassmaster Classic took place on Lake Hartwell. Other hotspots for outdoor enthusiasts are a variety of state parks. Caesars Head, Devils Fork, Jones Gap, Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area and Table Rock provide challenging trails for the go-getter and beautiful waterfalls and nature scenes for the recreational sightseers.

Many municipalities, churches and other local organizations in the area offer recreational leagues in just about every sport.

The Upstate is home to a number of premier youth soccer clubs, including the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy in Greenville. Over the summer, more than 4,100 swimmers on 38 member teams participate in the Swim Association Invitational League in Greenville County.

A variety of baseball programs are offered, including YMCA Little League and Dixie Youth Baseball. One of the most notable events is the Big League Baseball World Series, which will be held in Easley for the 12th consecutive year during the last week of July.

The Upstate of South Carolina is known for championship-caliber collegiate athletics. Of the more than 22 universities in the Upstate, 11 offer athletic programs. Clem-

Photo/Courtesy of Clemson University

ith its metropolitan environment coupled with pristine lakes and rivers at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Upstate has become a favorite for cyclists, runners, hikers and water enthusiasts. The area boasts two professional teams, four Division I college athletic programs, excellent venues and dozens of amateur recreational leagues in a variety of sports.

Greenville and Spartanburg have received Bronze Level designation as Bicycle Friendly Communities by the League of American Bicyclists. Fluor Corp., Mary Black Foundation, The Hawley Co. and Upstate Forever have also earned Bicycle Friendly Business designations.

The Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships have been held in May. Tens of thousands of spectators came to watch a field of more than 100 professional cyclists, including three-time U.S. Professional Road Race National Champion and Greenville resident George Hincapie, cover a 115mile course in and around Greenville.

For amateurs, the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 17.5-mile multiuse trail system that runs along the Reedy River from Travelers Rest to Greenville.

Held annually for 35 years, the Reedy River Run is a 10K run that takes place in March in downtown Greenville. Produced by the Greenville Track Club Inc., the race attracts thousands of runners and spectators from across the country. In addition to the run, which carries a $10,000 purse, the

son University in Clemson, Furman University in Greenville, and Spartanburg-based Wofford College and the University of South Carolina Upstate are all Division I schools.

In football, the Wofford Terriers have taken the Southern Conference title twice and the Furman Paladins once since 2003. The Wofford men’s basketball team has made backto-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, win-

GUIDE sports & recreation

Canoeing on Lake Keowee is one of many outdoor opportunities in the Upstate. The region is home to lakeside parks, recreation areas, fishing piers and boat ramps. (Photo/Courtesy of Ross Norton)

ning the Southern Conference championship in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, the North Greenville University Crusaders play as an independent member of NCAA Division II. A storied 2009 season with Clemson Tigers head football coach Dabo Swinney taking over at mid-season ended with a loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference foot-

ball championship to Georgia Tech, 3934. The Tigers brought home the trophy just two years later, however, capturing the ACC crown in 2011. Clemson has contended for conference or national prominence in recent years in several sports, including golf, volleyball and baseball.

The professional sports market in the Upstate has received a bit of a nostalgic

makeover in recent years. Fluor Field, which opened in April 2006, is home to the Greenville Drive, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Located in Greenville’s West End, the team averages 5,000 fans per game at the park that replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park in Boston.

Greenville’s new ECHL hockey team, the Road Warriors, began play in the Bi-Lo Center 12,000-seat arena in October 2010. The team is affiliated with the NHL’s New York Rangers.

For those in need of a stockcar-racing fix, the Greenville-Pickens Speedway is a half-mile, oval asphalt track that hosts weekly NASCAR sanctioned races. The grandstands can seat 20,000 and the adjacent fairgrounds offer full-service hookups for campers and weekenders.

And if you care to get behind the wheel, the BMW Performance Driving School is a 134-acre site near its Spartanburg County manufacturing plant that offers two miles of track. For $99, you can visit the Zentrum museum, receive an exclusive guided plant tour and take the wheel in a two-hour exhilarating driving program.

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Banking

Insurance

Mortgage

Investments

Trust INTRO | 31

Tee Time

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short drive north of Greenville, sitting atop a 3,000-foot plateau near the North Carolina border, is one of the most beautiful private golf courses in the nation.

In 1995, Golf Digest named The Cliffs at Glassy golf course the fourth most scenic course in the nation, trailing only the iconic courses of Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Augusta National.

The private course is part of The Cliffs communities’ high-end real estate and golf courses. Members own property at one of the seven private master-planned residential communities located in the Upstate and western North Carolina.

The Cliffs golf courses are designed by the masters, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Tom Jackson and most recently, Tiger Woods.

More information on The Cliffs communities can be found online at www.cliffsinfo.com.

The Cliffs courses aren’t the only ones to take advantage of the Upstate’s position in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and in a climate that offers the beauty of four seasons and allows for golf nearly any time of year.

Travelers Rest, for example, also boasts The Clubs at Cherokee Valley. For more information, visit www.CherokeeValleySC.com.

These pristine Upstate courses are a reason Golf Digest has named the Palmetto State among the nation’s top states for golf.

But you don’t have to join an exclusive club or possess a 300-yard drive to enjoy a unique, affordable round of golf in the Upstate.

Crosswinds Golf Course in Greenville is the only course in the world with 18 holes designed by 18 designers.

Each hole is a par 3, making the course a bit of a gimmick, but an icon in its own right and a fun round for all levels of play.

For more information, visit www.crosswinds-golf.com.

In addition, The Furman University Golf Club in Greenville

32 | INTRO

Golf Courses Anderson

Anderson Country Club

Phone: 864-225-8291 www.andersoncountryclub.com

Boscobel Golf & Country Club

Green Valley Country Club

Rolling Green Golf Club

Greenville Country Club: Chanticleer Course and Riverside Course

Smithfields Country Club

Phone: 864-246-2141 www.greenvalley.cc

Phone: 864-859-7716 www.rollinggreengolf.com Phone: 864-855-3543 www.smithfields.cc

Phone: 864-232-6771 Phone: 864-646-3991 www.thegreenvillecountryclub.com www.aaggolfgroup.com/boscobelcountry-club.asp Pebble Creek Golf Club:

Southern Oaks Golf Club

Brookstone Meadows Golf Course

The Walker Course at Clemson University

Phone: 864-964-9966 www.golfaag.com/brookstonemeadows-country-club.asp

Pine Lake Golf Club

Phone: 864-296-9960 www.pinelakegolfclub.com

Saluda Valley Country Club Phone: 864-847-7102 www.saludavalleycc.com

Stone Creek Cove Golf Course Phone: 864-261-0888 www.stonecreekcove.org/golf.htm

Woodhaven Golf Club

Phone: 864-646-9511 www.golfaag.com/woodhavengolf-club.asp

Cherokee

Cherokee National Golf & Country Club

Creekside Course and Linkside Course

Phone: 864-244-8872 www.pebblecreek-club.com

The Preserve at Verdae

Phone: 864-676-1500 www.thepreserveatverdae.com

Greenwood

Greenwood Country Club

Phone: 864-942-8861 www.greenwoodcountryclub.com

Phone: 864-859-6698 www.southernoaks-golf.com

Phone: 864-656-0236 www.walkergolfcourse.com

Spartanburg

The Carolina Country Club

Phone: 864-583-1246 www.thecarolinacountryclub.com

Country Club of Spartanburg Phone: 864-582-1646 www.sbrg.org

The Creek Golf Club

Oconee

Falcon’s Lair Golf Club Phone: 864-638-0000 www.golfaag.com

Keowee Key Golf & Country Club

Phone: 864-944-2222 www.keowee-key.com

The Trail at Chickasaw Point

Phone: 864-583-7084 www.thecreekgolfclub.com

Heddles Hideaway Country Club

Phone: 864-582-7579 www.heddleshideaway.com

Mountainview Par 3 Golf Phone: 864-472-0652

Phone: 864-489-9417 www.cherokeenational.net

Phone: 864-972-9623 www.golfthetrails.com

River Falls Plantation

Greenville

Pickens

The First Tee of Spartanburg

Bonnie Brae Golf Club Phone: 864-277-4178

Carolina Golf

Phone: 864-244-6702

Pickens Country Club

Phone: 864-878-6083 golfaag.com/pickens-country-clubcontact.asp

The Rock at Furman University Golf Course Jocassee Golf Resort Phone: 864-294-9090 www.furmangolfclub.com

Phone: 864-878-2030 www.golfattherock.com

was redesigned in 2008 with the novice in mind. The club added new irrigation systems to make the approaches more forgiving while maintaining the challenges of several bunkers. For more information, visit www.furman.edu/golf.

Verdae Greens Golf Club in Greenville has been home to the PGA tours Nike/Buy.com Upstate Classic. Verdae Greens is designed to accommodate all skill levels. For more information, visit www.verdaegreens.com.

These are just a few of the state’s 462

Phone: 864-433-9192 www.riverfallsgolf.com

Phone: 864-583-7084 www.thefirstteespartanburg.org

Village Greens Golf Course Phone: 877-472-2411 www.villagegreens.net

Willow Creek Golf Club Phone: 864-848-4999 www.willow-creekgolf.com

golf courses. More opportunities present themselves in towns like Travelers Rest, Fountain Inn, Anderson, Spartanburg, Greer, Greenwood, Piedmont and others.

Clemson University even offers a bachelor’s degree in professional golf management. The university course, open to the public, was the first in America designed to accommodate disabled golfers.

Check out some of the Upstate’s courses, and find out why more than 900,000 people play a round while visiting South Carolina.

GUIDE

Heady days in offing for Upstate breweries

A

Photo/S. Kevin Greene

s the business life of the Upstate has changed over the past decade with the number of national and international companies settling in the area, so has its taste in beers.

To meet the growing diversity of beer palates among these companies’ workers, a handful of microbreweries and brew pubs have opened in the Greenville-Spartanburg market.

“I like to say that the area has grown a lot by imports — people,” says Tom Davis of Thomas Creek Brewery, 2054 Piedmont Highway, Greenville. “People moving here from the West Coast are used to craft beers brewed in the local brewery. When they come here they’re looking for what’s local.”

Other “imports,” as Davis calls them, come from Europe with companies that have settled in the Upstate. “We have people who are just visiting or they’re staying for a while, and come do tours of the brewery. They’re really fascinated and happy to find out that there’s a brewery right here in Greenville.”

Henry DePew, president of RJ Rockers Brewing Co. in Spartanburg, agrees that beer-drinkers are seeking variety.

“I think people are deciding they want something that’s got a lot of taste and something that’s a great product and little bit different than a cookie-cutter approach to beer, food,” DePew said.

While much has been written about the Upstate’s growing automotive manufacturing cluster, a beer brewing cluster of sorts

“Distributors are much more open to craft brews, which we are starting to lovingly call it,” Davis said.

Other microbreweries and brew pubs in the Upstate include: • RJ Rockers Brewing Co., 226-A W. Main St., Spartanburg — Founded in 1997 by Mark Johnson, a former Army soldier and Gulf War veteran, RJ Rockers’ brew house has an annual capacity of about 30,000 barrels. Rockers beer can be found fresh or on tap in restaurants and stores across the Southeast. One of its better known brews is called “Son of a Peach,” a peachflavored American wheat pale ale.

• Blue Ridge Brewing Co., 217 Main St., Greenville — Blue Ridge, founded by restaurateur Bob Hiller, opened its doors in 1995. It offers five handappears to be fermenting in the region. crafted signature beers and seasonGreenville-Spartanburg is home to four al brew. Its restaurant menu features beef, microbreweries and brew pubs. Across the pork and seafood entrees, and a wild border in Asheville and western North Car- game platter that includes venison, anteolina there are more than a dozen microlope, quail, rabbit, wild boar and duck. breweries, including national beer mak• Liberty Tap Room & Grill, 941 S. Main ers like New Belgium and Sierra Nevada.

St., Greenville — Liberty offers four of its The local beer business took off own handcrafted lagers and ales, and 40 in the mid-1990s after the state Legother brews are on tap. Its menu features islature passed a law clearing the steaks, seafood, pizza and sandwiches. way for commercial breweries.

Although the craft-brew busiThomas Creek Brewery, founded in 1998, ness is growing, Davis doesn’t considhas an annual capacity of 10,000 barrels. er it to be more competition per se.

It offers eight standard beers and seasonal “I look at it as more of educatbrews distributed across the region. Davis ing the public,” Davis said. “The more added that the brewery will begin exportof the public that you can reach, the ing its product to Sweden later this year more you educate. … I still think and eventually reach all of Scandinavia. there’s enough to go around.”

The following list is just a taste of the many restaurants in the Upstate region you can enjoy.

Dining Guide

GREENVILLE

864-232-4677

864-373-9013

American Grocery Restaurant 732 S. Main St., Greenville 864-232-7665

Bonefish 1515 Woodruff Road, Greenville 864-297-5142

Devereux’s 25 E. Court St., Greenville 864-241-3030

Arizona’s 1298 Woodruff Road, Greenville 864-281-7777

Chop House 47 36 Beacon Drive, Greenville 864-286-8700

Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria 25 W. Washington St., Greenville 864-232-3706

City Range 615 Haywood Road, Greenville 864-286-9018

Flat Rock Grill 3201 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 864-235-6533

Blue Ridge Brewing Co. 217 N. Main St., Greenville

Davani’s 1922 Augusta St., Greenville

Ford’s Oyster House and Cajun Kitchen 631 S. Main St., Greenville 864-233-6009

High Cotton 550 S. Main St., Greenville 864-335-4200 Irashiai Sushi Pub 115 Pelham Road, Greenville 864-271-0900 Larkin’s on the River 318 S. Main St., Greenville 864-467-9777 Liberty Taproom and Grill at the Field 941 S. Main St., Greenville 864-770-7777 INTRO | 33

DINING GUIDE Lieu’s Chinese Bistro 1149 Woodruff Road, Greenville 864-675-9898 MaryBeth’s 500 E. McBee Ave., Greenville 864-242-2535 Mimi’s Cafe 1133 Woodruff Road, Greenville 864 297-9545 Nantucket Grill 40 W. Broad St., Greenville 864 546-3535 Pomegranate on Main 618 S. Main St., Greenville 864-241-3012 Rick Erwin’s West End Grill 648 S. Main St., Greenville 864-232-8999 Saskatoon 477 Haywood Road, Greenville 864-297-7244

864-627-4151

864-585-7027

864-226-9400

Takosushi 34 S. Main St., Greenville 864-271-5055

The Beacon Drive-In 255 John B White Blvd., Spartanburg 864-585-9387

DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant 307 E. Greenville St., Anderson 864-222-8944

The Bohemian 2 W. Stone Ave., Greenville 864-233-0006

Wade’s 1000 N. Pine St., Spartanburg 864-582-3800

Islander Pub & Grille 134 Exchange St., Pendleton 864-646-6337

The Lazy Goat 170 River Place, Greenville 864-679-5299

GREER

J. Peters Grill and Bar 202 S. Main St., Anderson 864-965-9155

Trio A Brick Oven Cafe 22 N. Main St., Greenville 864-467-1000 Two Chefs Deli and Market 104 S. Main St., Greenville 864-370-9336 Wine Cafe at Northampton Wines 211A E. Broad St., Greenville 864-640-4840

BIN112 112 Trade St., Greer 864-848-2112 Cafe Rivera 117 E. Poinsett St. 864-877-9600 Capri’s Italian Restaurant 111 Middleton Way, Greer 864-877-7655

SPARTANBURG

Clock Restaurant 603 W. Pointsett St., Greer 864-877-5768

Sassafras Southern Bistro 103 N. Main St., Greenville 864-235-5670

A Caribbean Sweetness 1824 E. Main St., Spartanburg 864-582-3330

Dragon Den Chinese Restaurant 2420 Hudson Road, Greer 864-292-2828

Smoke on the Water 1 Augusta St., Greenville 864-232-9091

Bronco 1560 Union St., Spartanburg 864-542-0230

Smokin’ Stokes 1622 Augusta St., Greenville 864 242-9716

Capri’s Italian 1927 Boiling Springs Road, Spartanburg 864-599-6800

El Jalisco 1323 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 864-801-1009

Soby’s 207 S. Main St., Greenville 864 232-7007 Soby’s on the Side 22 E. Court St., Greenville 864-271-8431 Stellar Restaurant & Wine Bar 20 N. Main St., Greenville 864-438-4954 Stella’s Southern Bistro 684 Fairview Road 864-757-1212 Sticky Fingers Rib House 1 S. Main St., Greenville 864-331-7427 Strossner’s 21 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville 864-233-3996 Sushi Hana 765 Haywood Road, Suite E, Greenville 864-676-0200 Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine 8590 Pelham Road, Greenville 34 | INTRO

City Range 774 Spartan Blvd., Spartanburg 864-327-3333 Delaney’s Pub 117 W. Main St., Spartanburg 864-583-3100 Four Seasons 1071 Fernwood Glendale Road, Spartanburg 864-699-9730 Gerhard’s 1200 E. Main St., Spartanburg 864-591-1920 Ike’s Corner Grill 104 Archer Road, Spartanburg 864-542-0911 Miyako Sushi Group 116 Magnolia St., Spartanburg 864-583-5112 Nu-Way 373 E. Kennedy St., Spartanburg 864-582-9685 Renato’s 221 E. Kennedy St., Spartanburg

Just More Barbecue 1410 Cherry St., Pendleton 864-646-3674 Main Street Deli 112 N. Main St., Anderson 864-222-3893 Mama Penn’s 2802 N. Main St., Anderson 864-226-1545 McGee’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 116 W. Orr St., Anderson 864-261-7125

El Mariachi Restaurant 805 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 864-968-9181 Grand China 14156 E. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 864-877-8898 Lake View Steakhouse 3100 N. Highway 14, Greer 864-801-0415 Mutt’s BBQ Restaurant 101 West Road, Greer 864-848-3999 Rhythm and Brews 213 Trade St., Greer 864-877-1990 The Great Bay Oyster House 109 E. Pointsett St., Greer 864-879-1030 ANDERSON Bamboo Gardens 209 Hwy. 28 By-Pass, Anderson 864-261-8997 Carson’s Steak Warehouse 150 W. Beltline Blvd., Anderson

Ole Country Smokehouse BBQ 3819 Hwy. 81 N., Anderson 864-375-0050 Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill 208 S. Main St., Anderson 864-226-8945 Tavern Under the Bridge 134 W. Earle St., Anderson 864-965-9052 The Galley Restaurant at Portman Marina 1629 Marina Road, Anderson 864-287-3215 The Meeting Place Restaurant 124 W. Whitner St., Anderson 864-226-3162 Trio 124 N. Main St., Anderson 864-760-1320 Tucker’s Restaurant & Bar 3501 Clemson Blvd., Anderson 864-226-5474

GUIDE

Photo/S. Kevin Greene

Places to Stay

The following list is just a sample of the many places to stay in the Upstate region.

Anderson The Bleckley Inn

151 E. Church St. Anderson, SC 29624 864-225-7203 www.bleckleyinn.com

Anderson, SC 29621 864-226-3312 www.hiexpress.com/anderson-i85 Jameson Inn

Hilton Garden Inn & Destination Pointe Event Center

128 Interstate Blvd.

Anderson, SC 29621 864-375-9800 www.jamesoninns.com

Holiday Inn Anderson

Anderson, SC 29621 864-225-8384 www.super8motelanderson.com

115 Destination Blvd.

Anderson, SC 29621 864-964-0100 www.anderson.stayhgi.com

The Clarion Inn & Suites

Garden House Bed & Breakfast

Crowne Plaza Hotel Greenville

Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville RiverPlace

50 Orchard Park Drive Greenville, SC 29615 864-254-6383 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/sc150

851 Congaree Road Greenville, SC 29607 Super 8 Hotel Anderson/Clemson Area 864-297-6300 www.cpgreenvillehotel.com 3302 Cinema Ave.

3509 Clemson Blvd.

Greenville Anderson, SC 29621 864-226-1000 Candleberry Inn B&B & Day Spa www.holidayinn.com/andersonsc 105 Marshland Lane Greer, SC 29650 Holiday Inn Express & Suites 864-201-1411 107 Interstate Blvd. (I-85, www.candleberryinn.us Exit 19-B), Highway 76

Days Inn & Suites Greenville

60 Roper Mountain Road Greenville, SC 29607 864-297-9996 www.daysinn.com

Drury Inn & Suites Greenville

10 Carolina Point Parkway Greenville, SC 29607 864-288-4401 www.druryhotels.com

302 S. Main St. Simpsonville, SC 29681 864-963-3379 www.gardenhousebb.com

171 Riverplace, Greenville, SC 29601 864-271-8700 www.hamptoninnandsuitesgreenville.com Hampton Inn Simpsonville

3934 Grandview Drive Simpsonville, SC 29680 864-963-9292 www.simpsonville.hamptoninn.com Holiday Inn Express-Simpsonville

3821 Grandview Drive Simpsonville, SC 29680 864-962-8500 www.simpsonvillehotel.com

INTRO | 35

PLACES TO STAY The Westin Poinsett

120 S. Main St. Greenville, SC 29601 864-421-9700 www.westinpoinsettgreenville.com Wingate by Wyndham

33 Beacon Drive Greenville, SC 29615 864-281-1281 www.wingatehotels.com Greenwood Hampton Inn Greenwood

1624 S.C. Highway 72 Bypass N.E. Greenwood, SC 29649 864-388-9595 www.greenwoodsc.hamptoninn. com Laurens Hampton Inn & Suites Clinton - I-26

Photo/S. Kevin Greene

201 E. Corporate Center Drive Clinton, SC 29325 864-938-1040 www.hamptoninn.com

Hyatt Regency Greenville

220 N. Main St. Greenville, SC 29601 864-235-1234 www.greenville.hyatt.com Marriott Greenville

1 Parkway E. Greenville, SC 29615 864-297-0300 www.marriott.com/gspap Motel 6

3706 Grandview Drive Simpsonville, SC 29680 864-962-8484 www.motel6.com Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast

302 Pettigru St. Greenville, SC 29601 864-242-4529 www.pettigruplace.com 36 | INTRO

The Phoenix, Greenville’s Inn

www.easley.hamptoninn.com The Inn at Table Rock

117 Hiawatha Trail, Scenic Highway 11 Pickens, SC 29671 864-878-0078 www.theinnattablerock.com Spartanburg Days Inn Spartanburg Waccamaw

101 Outlet Road Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-576-7300 www.daysinn.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville/ Spartanburg I-85

108 Spartangreen Blvd.

Duncan, SC 29334 864-486-8100 www.spartangreensuites.hamptoninn.com Hampton Inn & Suites Spartanburg

Oconee

801 Spartan Blvd.

Spartanburg, SC 29301 864-699-2222 www.spartanburgwestgatemallsuites.hamptoninn.com

Axle Acres Bed & Barn

Holiday Inn Express & Suites North

1073 Westminster Highway Westminster, SC 29693 864-647-5134 www.axleacres.com The Lowry House Inn

161 Sha Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-504-3333 www.staysmartsptg.com Quality Inn South

246 N. Pleasantburg Drive Greenville, SC 29607 864-233-4651 www.phoenixgreenvillesinn.com

206 S. Fairplay St. Seneca, SC 29678 864-888-0122 www.thelowryhouseinn.com

1391 E. Main St. Duncan, SC 29334 864-433-1333 www.qualityinn.com/hotel/sc088

The Red Horse Inn

Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast

Super 8 Motel

45 Winstons Chase Court Landrum, SC 29356 864-895-4968 www.theredhorseinn.com Residence Inn by Marriott

120 Milestone Way Greenville, SC 29615 864-627-0001 www.marriott.com/gspri Sleep Inn

231 N. Pleasantburg Drive Greenville, SC 29607 864-240-2006 www.sleepinn.com

325 Sunrise Drive Salem, SC 29676 864-944-0121 www.sunrisefarmbb.com Pickens

Best Western Executive Inn

511 U.S. Highway 123 Bypass Seneca, SC 29678 864-886-9646 www.bestwestern.com Hampton Inn Easley

8 Southern Center Court Easley, SC 29642 864-343-3636

488 S. Blackstock Road Spartanburg, SC 29301 864-576-2488 Yellow House Landrum

508 E. Rutherford St. Landrum, SC 29356 800-543-0714 www.yellowhouselandrum.com

GUIDE

Photo/Courtesy of Bob Jones University

An exhibit at Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery shows some of its fine European paintings.

Arts abound

T

he Greenville area boasts a wide variety of arts and culture venues and organizations in all disciplines. The city of Greenville is home to two large entertainment venues, the Peace Center and the Bi-Lo Center, which feature national acts and local performances.

The Greenville Symphony Orchestra is just one of the organizations that regularly perform at the Peace Center.

Greenville also boasts several art museums and multiple galleries, many of them located in the lively downtown entertainment and shopping district. A history museum and several other performance venues round out the city’s art scene.

Nearby Spartanburg boasts the Chap-

man Cultural Center, which encompasses history, art, music, dance and theater.

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium is home to the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as the venue for many national and local acts.

Anderson features several art galleries and performance venues through colleges such as Anderson University and Clemson University. The city is also home to the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, which has been in existence since 1921.

Here are some places to check out.

Anderson Arts Center As Anderson has grown from a rural town to a major hub in the Savannah Riv-

The Showroom at Hub-Bub hosts art exhibits, music concerts and literary events. (Photo/Courtesy of Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau)

er basin, the Anderson Arts Center has fostered the practice and appreciation of the arts. Founded in 1972, the center features local and national exhibits, programming for all ages and public art projects. 110 Federal St., Anderson.

864-222-2787. www.andersonarts.org

Belton Center for the Arts The Belton Center for the Arts displays rotating exhibitions in addition to providing art and dance classes for all ages. 306 City Square, Belton. 864338- 8556. www.beltonsc.com/arts.htm INTRO | 37

ARTS ABOUND

Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium

My Fair Lady is performed at Greenville Little Theatre. (Photo/ Courtesy of Greenville Little Theatre)

The Anderson Music Club was founded in 1921 and became incorporated as GAMAC 70 years later, in 1991.

Now in its 18th season, GAMAC presents a Masterworks, Anderson Symphony Orchestra and Youth concert series annually. 864-231-6147. www.gamac.org

Greenville Chorale Organized in 1961 to provide a community chorus, the Greenville Chorale features more than 200 singers from the Upstate and performs about four times a year.

864-235-1101. www.greenvillechorale.com

Greenville County Museum of Art

Bi-Lo Center A 15,000-seat arena, the Bi-Lo Center offers shows from Disney on Ice to MonsterJam to The Eagles. The center is also home to an ECHL hockey team, the Road Warriors. 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. 864-467-0008. www.bilocenter.com

Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery Recognized for having one of America’s finest collection of Italian paintings, the museum and gallery features many European paintings exhibited alongside furniture, sculpture, tapestries and porcelains. 864-770-1331. www.bjumg.org

Carolina Ballet Theatre Part classical ballet company and part contemporary arts organization, the Carolina Ballet Theatre has been open since 1972. It also has a school for aspiring ballerinas. 864421-0940. www.carolinaballet.org

Centre Stage A 285-seat theater within walking distance of downtown Greenville, Centre Stage hosts music, comedy, drama, art exhibitions, chamber music, concerts, independent film screenings, guest lec38 | INTRO

tures and galas. 501 River St., Greenville.

864-233- 6733. www.centrestage.org

Located in downtown Greenville’s Heritage Green, the Greenville County Museum of Art offers lessons to artists of all ages, in addition to housing both permanent and rotating collections. 420 College St., Greenville. 864271- 7570. www.greenvillemuseum.org

Chapman Cultural Center

Greenville Little Theatre

A facility 17 years in the making, Chapman Cultural Center opened in October 2007. Located in downtown Spartanburg, the facility is home to a history museum, several theaters, art studios, dance studios and offices for area arts organizations.

200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg. 864-5422787. www.chapmanculturalcenter.org

The Little Theatre began in 1836, then known as the Theatrical Corps. The theater is known for its professional quality as well as showcasing local amateur performers. 444 College St., Greenville. 864233-6238. www.greenvillelittletheatre.org

Clemson Little Theatre Begun in 1931 as a small reading group, the theater now produces seven live stage plays. 214 S. Mechanic St., Pendleton. 864646-8100. www.clemsonlittletheatre.com

Electric City Playhouse The Electric City Playhouse offers a season of shows each year. ECP also hosts a two-week children’s drama camp and production. 514 N. Murray Ave., Anderson.

864-224-4248. www.ecplayhouse.com

Gallant Art Gallery Located in the Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson University, the gallery showcases student and faculty art in changing exhibits throughout the year. 864-231-2000.

Greenville Symphony Orchestra Led by maestro Edvard Tchivzhel, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts. 864-2320344. www.greenvillesymphony.org

Metropolitan Arts Council The Metropolitan Arts Council works to support all the arts in Greenville. Each year, MAC distributes thousands of dollars to area arts groups and artists. Located at 16 Augusta St. in the historic West End district of downtown Greenville, MAC is home to Greenville’s only public art gallery.

864-467-3132. www.greenvillearts.com

Peace Center The Peace Center opened in 1990 and has since been home to the Green-

GUIDE ARTS ABOUND

The Chapman Cultural Center houses several arts organizations. (Photo/Courtesy of Spartanburg Convention and Vistors Bureau)

ville Symphony Orchestra and other local arts companies. The facility also hosts national traveling shows and concert tours. 300 S. Main St., Greenville.

864-467-3000. www.peacecenter.org

Rainey Fine Arts Center The Rainey Fine Arts Center is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts for Anderson University. It includes three performance venues, as well as seven art studios. 864-231-2000. http://www.andersonuniversity.edu/finearts.aspx

Showroom at HUB-BUB Previously an auto dealership, the Showroom at HUB-BUB now hosts art exhibits, regional and national music acts, film, theater, literary and community events. 149 S. Daniel Morgan Ave., Spartanburg. 864582-0056. www.hub-bub.com

South Carolina Children’s Theatre

Twichell Auditorium

Opened in 1985, the South Carolina Children’s Theatre gives children and adults the chance to work with directors, choreographers and musicians, as well as perform onstage at the Peace Center. 153 Augusta St., Greenville. 864235-2885. www.scchildrenstheatre.org

Built in 1899, this 1,500-seat auditorium on Converse College’s campus has hosted artists such as Duke Ellington, George Burns and Yo-Yo Ma. It is also home to the college’s Petrie School of Music. 864-596-9725. http://www.converse.edu/arts/twichell-auditorium

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

Upcountry History Museum

With an arena that holds 2,500 and an auditorium for 3,200, Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium is the place to go in Spartanburg for shows, festivals and music events. 385 N. Church St., Spartanburg.

864-582-8107. www.crowdpleaser.com

A museum dedicated to preserving the history of South Carolina’s Upstate, the Upcountry History Museum features permanent exhibits, outreach, oral history presentations and student programs. 540 Buncombe St., Greenville. 864467-3100. www.upcountryhistory.org

Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Led by music director Sarah Ioannides, the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra provides entertainment and education to the citizens of the area. 864-9489020. www.spartanburgphilharmonic.org

Warehouse Theatre Located in a converted textile warehouse, the Warehouse Theatre is the home of 15 productions a year. 37 Augusta St., Greenville. www.warehousetheatre.com INTRO | 39

Freedom Weekend Aloft brings hot air balloons to Simpsonville. (Photo/James T. Hammond)

to see how energy is made. 800-7771004. http://www.duke-energy.com/ visitor-centers/world-of-energy.asp

Emerald Farm See a variety of animals, visit the soap factory and gift shop, or stop by the train and hobby shop at Greenwood’s Emerald Farm. 864-223-2247. http://www.emeraldfarm.com/

Falls Park on the Reedy Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, Falls Park on the Reedy features running and biking trails, as well as the Liberty Bridge, the only one of its kind in the United States. 864-467-4350. www.fallspark.com

Fort Hill/John C. Calhoun Museum

Attractions and Tours

I

f you have some free time on your hands, the Upstate has plenty of offerings to fill it. The area is home to botanical gardens, farms, historic battle sites and museums of all kinds. From science to animals to automobiles to history, there are choices for every age and energy level.

Anderson’s Jockey Lot & Farmers Market Inspired by a flea market in Mexico, the Anderson Jockey Lot has grown to more than 65 acres with more than 2,150 spaces. The average daily attendance is between 30,000 and 60,000.

Located on U.S. 29 in Belton between Anderson and Greenville.

864-224-2027. http://jockeylot.com

BMW Performance Driving School Everyone gets the need for speed every now and then. For those who want to put the pedal to the metal in a fast luxury car, the BMW Performance Driving School is the perfect place to go. The driving school is located at the BMW’s North American headquarters in Greer and features a $12 million facility and road course. 888-345-4269 for reservations, 40 | INTRO

or visit www.bmwusa.com and click on Experience, the Events and Programs.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge Built in 1909, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge left in the state of South Carolina. The bridge is located in Greenville County near S.C. 414.

Cherokee Indian Interpretive Center The Cherokee Indian Interpretive Center, located at Keowee-Toxaway State Park, traces the history and preserves the culture of the Cherokee Indian nation. The center is open year-round and is located in Pickens County off S.C. 11. 864-868-2605.

Cowpens National Battlefield This Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army vanquished Banastre Tarleton’s British army. Located in Gaffney, the site also offers trails and picnic areas. 864461-2828. http://www.nps.gov/cowp/

Duke Energy’s World of Energy Located at Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, the World of Energy offers visitors games and tips to use energy wisely. Enter a fission chamber

Fort Hill was once the home of John Calhoun, a man considered to have been a major inspiration to secessionists. The antebellum plantation home in Clemson is furnished with family artifacts and is now part of Clemson University. 864-656-2475.

Freedom Weekend Aloft A rainbow of colors fills the sky each spring during Freedom Weekend Aloft, a hot air balloon festival in Simpsonville. It’s a unique event that offers hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, as well as concerts, a family fun zone and food. 864-2280025. www.freedomweekend.org

Greenville Drive Part of the South Atlantic League, the Greenville Drive continues to set local baseball attendance marks at Fluor Field.

The stadium, which opened in April 2006, replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. 864240-4500. www.greenvilledrive.com

Greenville Zoo Located in Cleveland Park, the 10-acre zoo is home to numerous animals including giraffes, orangutans, elephants and more, promising a lot of family fun.

864-467-4300. www.greenvillezoo.com

Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve This 10-acre public garden in Spartanburg includes perennial and annual flower displays, natural areas, woodland gardens, native plants, ponds and a variety of wildlife. Picnic areas are available.

864-574-7724. www.hatchergarden.org

GUIDE ATTRACTIONs and tours

Hagood Mill Hagood Mill was built in 1845 and operated until the mid-1960s. After several attempts to revive the historic gristmill, it was back in business in 1997 and is operated now during the third weekend of every month by the Pickens County Cultural Commission. The Native American Celebration in November is one of the biggest draws of the year. Located 3 miles north of Pickens. Take U.S. 178 to Hagood Mill Road.

864-898-5963. www.co.pickens. sc.us/culturalcommission/

Heritage Park and Amphitheater This facility in Simpsonville has it all: baseball and softball fields, batting cages, a mini train, a corporate shelter, two playgrounds, several miles of paved trails and full concessions.

864-967-9533. www.simpsonvilleheritagepark.com

Hollywild Animal Park This park in Inman is home to more than 500 animals, many of which have been on television or in movies. They roam freely in large natural enclosures or on manmade islands. On the “Outback Safari,” visitors are driven through 80 acres of free-roaming animals. 864-472-2038. www.hollywild.com

Kings Mountain National Military Park Learn why this “turning point” of the Revolutionary War occurred with a 26-minute film, exhibit and 1.5-mile battlefield trail. Located in Blacksburg.

864-936-7921. http://www.nps.gov/kimo/

Oconee Station State Historic Site The Oconee Station State Historic Site in Walhalla began as a military compound against attack from the Cherokee Indians, and it later became a trading post. The park features a fishing pond and a 1.5mile nature trail. 864-638-0079.

Peach Festival Gaffney goes all out for the Peach Festival every summer, which celebrates the fresh peach industry in Cherokee

and Spartanburg counties. This 10day festival includes parades, sporting events, truck and tractor pulls, concerts by nationally known country music artists and plenty of food, topped off with delicious peach desserts. Located off of I-85 at Exit 92. www.scpeachfestival.org

S.C. Botanical Garden The South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University features 295 acres of landscapes, gardens, streams and nature trails, as well as a sculpture collection and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum. 864656-3405. www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/

Hit the (bike) trail

Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library

Cyclists can enjoy the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 17.5-mile multiuse trail system that runs along the Reedy River from Travelers Rest to Greenville.

Disassembled and moved three miles to its new home on Field Street in Greenville’s West End, the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum displays records, artifacts, photographs, film and other items associated with the life and baseball career of Shoeless Joe Jackson. 864235-6280. www.shoelessjoejackson.org

Suber’s Mill Located in Greer, Suber’s Mill began operations in 1908 and is still in use today.

Corn is ground for cornmeal and grits sold locally. The mill is owned and operated by the fourth generation of the founder. 864877-5619. www.scmills.com/subers.php

Upcountry History Museum A museum dedicated to preserving the history of South Carolina’s Upstate, the Upcountry History Museum features permanent exhibits, outreach, oral history presentations and student programs. Located in Greenville. 864467-3100. www.upcountryhistory.org

Woodburn Plantation Woodburn Plantation in Pendleton is a four-story clapboard plantation house built c. 1830 with a wrap-around-twostory piazza. Built as a summer home

by Charles Cotseworth Pinckney, it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

864-207-0705. www.pendletonhistoricfoundation.org

There’s no shortage of choices for bicycle riders in the Upstate. Both Greenville and Spartanburg have received Bronze Level designation as Bicycle Friendly Communities by the League of American Bicyclists.

The Croft State Natural Area in Spartanburg County offers a challenging 10.5-mile trail with connectors, featuring fast down hills, hard-packed trail sections and plenty of climbing areas.

The trail runs along scenic creeks and shady, forested areas. From September through November, check with the park before traveling since the trail may be closed for hunting.

Call 864-583-2913 for park information.

In Greenville, you can bike ride along the Reedy River on the Timmons Park Mountain Bike Trail. The 2-mile trail runs through the 27-acre park and is perfect for beginning riders. Timmons Park is off East North Street between Laurens Road and Pleasantburg Road.

Beginners can also test out their biking skills at Sadlers Creek in Anderson. The 7.8-mile trail goes around scenic Lake Hartwell.

Sadlers Creek is fast and flat with a few tight switchbacks. The trail is located 12 miles south of Interstate 85 on S.C. 187. There is an admission fee of $2 for those 16 and older.

Swamp Rabbit Trail http://greenvillerec.com/parks/swamp-rabbit Croft State Natural Area http://www.sctrails.net/trails/ALLTRAILS/ MountainBike/CroftMtBike.html Timmons Park Mountain Bike Trail http://www.sctrails.net/trails/alltrails/ MountainBike/TimmonsPark.html Sadlers Creek http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/ park-finder/state-park/1888.aspx

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Atlanta’s downtown skyline with World of Coca-Cola in foreground.

(Copyright 2012, James Duckworth/AtlantaPhotos.com)

Getaways I

n the mood to explore? The Upstate’s location provides easy access to a host of interesting places.

Just about anything you would want to see — from majestic mountains and tranquil rivers, to swinging hotspots and quirky stores — is within a few hours’ drive. So gas up, roll down the windows and don’t forget to take the back roads.

Asheville, N.C. Tucked into what seems like the cupped hand of a valley is a town that was built by pioneering souls. Asheville holds tight to its free-thinking, artistic roots. It’s a town that attracts thousands of visitors each year who flock to see mountain vistas, ogle the Gilded Age splendor of the Biltmore House, shop an eclectic range of boutiques, or tuck in to a variety of global cuisine at restaurants that feature local (and often organic) ingredients. Homegrown bands play at intimate venues, while plenty of touring acts stop in western North Carolina’s largest city. www.exploreasheville.com 42 | INTRO

Atlanta The proud capital of the “New South” is a diverse and welcoming metropolitan area. Neighborhood enclaves, each with their own distinctive flair, hold a wealth of sights and cultural attractions that range from pop (the Coca-Cola Museum) to fine art (the High Museum). The Georgia Aquarium draws thousands of eager spectators to view the watery world of deep sea creatures. It is the only city for hundreds of miles that has professional sports teams in all the major sports. www.atlanta.net

Charleston, S.C. This Lowcountry gem, settled in 1670 and South Carolina’s colonial capital, retains the charm of bygone days. Its stately mansions, churches, theaters and public buildings date back to the 18th century. Once one of the richest cities on the Eastern Seaboard, today it combines the traditional with the historic, and provides some of the best res-

taurants, beaches, entertainment and shopping in America. Cruise ships depart the Charleston docks. And historic plantations ring the city on the region’s creeks and rivers. Just 200 miles from Greenville, Charleston treasures its past and shares it with visitors like few other American cities can. www.charlestoncvb.com

Charlotte, N.C. Though the Queen City reigns over a bustling big business scene, Charlotte has plenty of Southern charm with a strong dose of contemporary fine dining and a chic shopping scene that has sprung up in all pockets of the city. Those preferring a more exciting pace will appreciate a plethora of NCAA hoops along with the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The NFL’s Carolina Panthers satisfy a taste for gridiron clashes and you can hear the NASCAR engines roar just north of the city at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. www.charlottesgotalot.com

GUIDE GETAWAYS

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, N.C./Tenn.

Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, these mountains are some of the oldest in the world and are comprised of peaks that rise more than 6,000 feet.

The park encompasses more than 520,000 acres of forests, streams, rivers, waterfalls and hiking trails passing through valleys, peaks and forests with plenty of overlooks to take in scenic views. Perhaps even more striking than its size is the enormous variety of plants, trees, mammals, birds and fish — so many that the United Nations has designated the park an International Biosphere Reserve. www.nps.gov/grsm

Helen, Ga. Helen made a name for itself by dressing up like an Alpine town. It may have been a bit overdone in the early days, but Helen has come into its own over the years, establishing itself as a fun place for families and couples to visit. Yes, there are the beer gardens and oom-pah music, but the town also has a number of long established restaurants, too. Helen also is located in a paradise for outdoor lovers. The Chattahoochee River runs through the middle of town. Water parks on both sides of town rent inner tubes. Grab a tube and float through town close enough to talk to restaurant diners. At the other end of town, a shuttle takes you back to the park. Outside of town are Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park, with several other state parks not far away. www.helenga.org

Athens, Ga. About 100 miles, almost all of it interstate, from Greenville is one of the great downtowns in America. Athens is home to the University of Georgia. It is also the birthplace of notable bands like R.E.M. and the B-52s. Athens is a Bohemian town of funky shops, great restaurants, unique art galleries and plenty of nightlife. A short distance from downtown is the Five Points neighborhood, which is always a hub of activity. Normaltown is another section of Athens with its own quaint identity. Sandy Creek Nature Center and the Georgia Botanical Gardens are also popular

At top, a pathway beckons at Brookgreen Gardens near Myrtle Beach. And Charleston’s Waterfront Park is a place to rest and cool off after a day of walking the historic streets. (Photos/Courtesy of Brookgreen Gardens and City of Charleston.)

draws for visitors. www.visitathensga.com let malls, more than 100 golf courses, numerous nightlife and concert venues, as Myrtle Beach, S.C. well as 60 miles of beaches. On the way, stop at Brookgreen Gardens, a NationThere is always something to do in Myral Historic Landmark and display gartle Beach. Located about five hours from den. www.visitmyrtlebeach.com Greenville, the area offers visitors two outINTRO | 43

Photo/James T. Hammond

A parade through downtown Greenville takes place during the Greenville Scottish Games in May.

Calendar of Events

W

some funny old clothes, music and cars, but regional highlight. The festival is an annualso raises a lot of support for the American al three-day event that gives arts patrons Red Cross. www.redcrossretrofest.com the opportunity to meet exhibiting artists while purchasing original works of art.

March More than 100,000 people pack downtown Spartanburg for Spring Fling weekCelebrate with Irish style at Blarend. Festivalgoers enjoy music, enterney Blash for St. Patrick’s Day in downtainment, arts and crafts, carnival rides, a town Greenville. The family event ofclassic car show and international foods. fers music, food and drink. http://www.

January 864-596-3105. www.cityofspartanburg.org greenvillecvb.com/visit/calendar The Greer Family Fest provides rides, The Battle of Cowpens Re-enactment April storytelling, arts and crafts, food and music. takes place at Cowpens National Battle864-877-3131. www.greerfamilyfest.com Spring brings the beauty of azaleas to field near Gaffney. While many historic In Pickens, the Blue Ridge Fest feathe Upstate and it also brings the Azasites in the area hail back to the Civil War, tures some of the biggest names in lea Festival to Pickens. Hundreds of this one marks the site of the 1781 Batbeach bands and a cruise-in with clasblooming azaleas, arts and crafts, chiltle of Cowpens, considered by many hissic and antique cars. It adds up to a fun dren’s games, a historical tour and an torians to be a turning point in the Southtime for a charity fundraiser weekend. eclectic range of musicians highlight this ern campaign of the American Revolution.

800-240-3400. www.blueridgefest.com mid-April celebration of spring’s arriv864-461-2828. http://www.nps.gov/cowp/ The month ends with the Freedom al. http://www.pickensazaleafestival.org/ February Weekend Aloft, one of the nation’s largMay est hot-air balloon events, in Simpsonville.

Disco isn’t dead, at least not in SpartanThe festival attracts balloonists and their Artisphere, started in 2005, has quickburg in early February when Retrofest, the South’s Largest Disco Party, takes place ly grown into a signature event in Greenville’s crews from all over the country for twicedaily mass balloon launchings and comat Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. This dynamic downtown. Held in May, Artisphere has distinguished itself as both a national and petition. Arts and crafts, carnival rides, groovin’ fundraiser brings out not only

hen you’ve finished unpacking and settled into your new home — or maybe when you just need a break from all that work — you’re in luck. As you venture out into your new community, you’ll find the Upstate stays busy with events all year.

44 | INTRO

GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS concerts and fireworks round out the fun.

864-228-0025. www.freedomweekend.org For those who enjoy kilts and bagpipes, the Greenville Scottish Games takes place in late May at Furman University, with events at other locations in the area. www.greenvillegames.org

June The Uptown Shakespeare Festival at Falls Park in downtown Greenville gives theater lovers a chance to bring a picnic basket and enjoy plays in a beautiful outdoor setting. Performances may continue into July or August. www.uptownshakespearefestival.org The S.C. Festival of Flowers offers events both cultural and horticultural, as well as sporting events and music, during the month of June in Greenwood. www.scfestivalofflowers.org

Artisphere, started in 2005, has quickly grown into a signature event held every May in Greenville’s downtown. (Photo/S. Kevin Greene)

July Spartanburg ushers in the patriotic season in the beginning of July with the Red, White and Boom festival in Barnet Park.

The Fourth of July in Greenville is celebrated with the Red, White and Blue downtown festival. The event features a parade, fireworks, live music and barbecue.

In July, Gaffney goes all out for the Peach Festival, which celebrates the fresh peach industry in Cherokee and Spartanburg counties. This 10-day festival includes parades, sporting events, concerts by nationally known country music artists and plenty of food, topped off with delicious peach desserts. www.scpeachfestival.org

10 blocks of downtown Greenville into a huge open-air eatery as area restaurants offer samples of their specialties.

The event also features waiters’ races, cake decorating, chefs’ competition and music. www.fallforgreenville.net Thousands visit Pumpkintown the second Saturday in October each year for the Pumpkin Festival, celebrated on the grounds of an old schoolhouse.

On S.C. 8 about 10 miles outside Pickens, the event includes traditional music, clogging, barbecue, antique cars and a parade. It’s also one of the largest outdoor arts and crafts shows in the state. www.pumpkintown.org

September

November

Art in the Park, presented by Upstate Visual Arts, comes to Main Street in downtown Greenville in September. This annual celebration features local and regional artists. www.artintheparkgreenville.com

The Turkey Day 8K race in Spartanburg started as a bet between two friends who decided all great cities have a Thanksgiving Day road race.

The race starts early and the registration fee is canned food for the local soup kitchen. http://active-living.org/Turkey-Day-8k.html Hagood Mill near Pickens celebrates Native American heritage each November. Hagood Mill was built in 1845 and operated until the mid-1960s. After several attempts to revive the historic gristmill, it was back in business in 1997 and is operated now during the third

October Spartanburg dresses in its international wardrobe for the International Festival, which offers entertainment, costumes and cuisine to celebrate the wide variety of people who call the Upstate home. www.cityofspartanburg.org During the second weekend of October, Fall for Greenville transforms

weekend of every month by the Pickens County Cultural Commission.

The Native American Celebration in November is one of the biggest draws of the year. In 2003, petroglyphs were discovered on a large rock often used as a picnic spot or play area for children. www. co.pickens.sc.us/culturalcommission/ (Check the Hagood Mill News section.)

For one night each year in late November, Spartanburg’s Main Street transforms into a traditional Victorian town, complete with holiday decorations, carolers, and performers dressed in authentic period costumes. It’s called A Dickens of a Christmas. The Christmas tree lighting in Denny’s Plaza is a highlight of the evening.

December Beginning after Thanksgiving, Roper Mountain Holiday Lights illuminate downtown Greenville and I-85 in elaborate colorful light displays to celebrate the holiday season. www.ropermountainholidaylights.com Spartanburg, Fountain Inn, Greenville, Anderson and Pendleton all host special holiday events for families. A favorite is the annual Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade down Main Street the first Saturday of the month. 864-467-4485. www.greenvillesc.gov (Click on Special Events under the Newsroom section.)

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E Ducation

Quick Links AUTO S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles www.scdmvonline.com VOTER REGISTRATION S.C. Boards of Voter Registration www.state.sc.us/scsec/votereg.htm AIRPORTS Greenville Downtown Airport www.greenvilledowntownairport.com Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport www.gspairport.com Oconee County Regional Airport www.oconeesc.com/departments Pickens County Airport www.pickensairport.com Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport www.cityofspartanburg.org/ TRAINS Amtrak www.amtrak.com Carolinas Association Passenger Trains www.trainweb.org/capt PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Greenville Transit Authority www.greenville.com/transportation/business.html SPARTA www.spartabus.com MAPS Mapquest www.mapquest.com S.C. Department of Transportation www.scdot.org/getting/interstate_map. html

Greenville Area Development Corp. www.greenvilleeconomicdevelopment. com Greenville County Government www.greenvillecounty.org Greenville County Planning Commission www.greenvilleplanning.com Greenville Jaycees www.greenvillejaycees.org SC Appalachian Council of Governments www.scacog.org Upstate Better Business Bureau www.greenville.bbb.org Spartanburg County Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce www.spartanburgchamber.com

Fountain Inn Fountain Inn Government www.fountaininn.org Greenville Greenville Government www.greenvillesc.gov Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau www.greenvillecvb.com Greer Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce www.greerchamber.com Greer Government www.cityofgreer.org Honea Path Honea Path Government www.honeapath.com

Spartanburg School District 1 www.spartanburg1.k12.sc.us Spartanburg School District 2 www.spartanburg2.k12.sc.us Spartanburg School District 3 www.spartanburg3.org

Pickens County

Liberty

Economic Development Alliance of Pickens www.alliancepickens.com

Liberty Government www.libertysc.com

Spartanburg School District 6 www.spartanburg6.k12.sc.us

Pickens Chamber of Commerce www.pickenschamber.com

City of Mauldin www.cityofmauldin.org

Pickens County Government www.co.pickens.sc.us

Pendleton

CITY RESOURCES Anderson City of Anderson Government www.cityofandersonsc.com Belton Belton Area Partnership www.beltonsc.com Central Central Government www.cityofcentral.org

Mauldin

Town of Pendleton Government www.townofpendleton.org Powdersville Town of Powdersville www.powdersville.com Simpsonville Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce www.simpsonvillechamber.com Simpsonville Government www.simpsonville.com Spartanburg

Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce www.andersonscchamber.com

Clemson Government www.cityofclemson.org

Anderson County Economic Development www.advance2anderson.com

Cowpens Government www.mycowpensgov.com

46 | INTRO

Pickens Private Schools www.ed.sc.gov/

Spartanburg School District 5 www.spart5.net

Travelers Rest Government www.travelersrestsc.com

Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce www.greenvillechamber.org

Pickens Public Schools www.pickens.k12.sc.us

Landrum Government www.cityoflandrum.com

Anderson County

Greenville County

Greenville Private Schools www.ed.sc.gov/

Spartanburg School District 4 www.spartanburg4.org

Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce www.clemsonchamber.com

Anderson County Government www.andersoncountysc.org www.visitanderson.com

Greenville Education Guide www.greenville.com/community/ education.html

Landrum

Clemson

COUNTY RESOURCES

Greenville Public Schools www.greenville.k12.sc.us

Spartanburg County Government www.spartanburgcounty.org www.cityofspartanburg.org

Spartanburg Government www.cityofspartanburg.org

Yahoo Maps http://maps.yahoo.com

www.ed.sc.gov/

Cowpens

Easley Easley Government www.cityofeasley.net Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce www.easleychamber.org

Travelers Rest

SCHOOLS Anderson School District 1 www.anderson1.k12.sc.us Anderson School District 2 www.anderson2.org Anderson School District 3 www.anderson3.k12.sc.us Anderson School District 4 www.anderson4.k12.sc.us Anderson School District 5 www.anderson5.net Anderson Private Schools

Spartanburg School District 7 www.spartanburg7.org Spartanburg Education Guide www.spartanburg.com/community/ education.html Spartanburg Private Schools www.ed.sc.gov/ COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Anderson University www.andersonuniversity.edu Bob Jones University www.bju.edu Clemson University www.clemson.edu Converse College www.converse.edu ECPI College of Technology www.ecpi.edu Faith Training Center www.faithcenterchurch.com Forrest Junior College www.forrestcollege.edu Furman University www.furman.edu Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary www.gpts.edu Greenville Technical College www.gvltec.edu ITT Technical Institute www.itt-tech.edu North Greenville University www.ngu.edu Sherman College

WELCOME of Straight Chiropractic www.sherman.edu Southern Wesleyan University www.swu.edu

www.scetv.org AM RADIO STATIONS ONLINE

Spartanburg Methodist College www.smcsc.edu

860, WLBG, Classic 86, news, talk, music www.wlbg.com

Spartanburg Community College www.sccsc.edu

1260, WMUU, Unique, Christian www.wmuu.com

The University Center of Greenville www.ucgreenville.org

FM RADIO STATIONS ONLINE

TriCounty Technical College www.tctc.edu

89.3, WLFJ, His Radio, Christian www.hisradio.com

USC Upstate www.uscupstate.edu

92.5, WESC, Carolina’s Best Country www.wescfm.com

Virginia College in Greenville www.vc.edu Webster University www.websteruniv.edu/greenville Wofford College www.wofford.edu PUBLICATIONS ONLINE Anderson Independent-Mail www.independentmail.com GSA Business www.gsabusiness.com SCBIZ magazine www.scbizmag.com Spartanburg County Weekly News Group www.hometown-news.com Spartanburg Herald-Journal www.goupstate.com The (Columbia) State www.thestate.com The Greenville News www.greenvilleonline.com The (Williamston) Journal www.thejournalonline.com Tribune-Times www.tribunetimes.com COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS online The Collegian (Bob Jones University) www.bju.edu/collegian The Tiger (Clemson) www.thetigernews.com TELEVISION STATIONS ONLINE WYFF-TV 4 (NBC) www.thecarolinachannel.com WSPA-TV 7 (CBS) www.newschannel7online.com WLOS-TV 13 (ABC) www.wlos.com WHNS-TV 21 (FOX) www.foxcarolina.com WYCW-TV (CW) www.carolinascw.com

93.3, WTPT, New Rock 93.3, The Planet www.newrock933.com 93.7, WFBC, Today’s Best Music www.b937online.com 94.5, WMUU, Unique, Christian www.wmuu.com 98.7 WSMW, Adult Hits www.987simon.com 100.5, WSSL, Hot New Country www.wsslfm.com

www.greenville.com/community/recreation. html International Center of the Upstate www.internationalupstate.org Spartanburg.com Organizations Page www.spartanburg.com/community/ clubs.html Spartanburg.com Recreation Page www.spartanburg.com/community/ recreation.html GOLF COURSES Greenville golf http://thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/ SC/Greenville.htm

Orchestra www.spartanburgphilharmonic. org Spartanburg Repertory Co. www.spartanburgrepertorycompany.org Spartanburg Youth Theatre www.spartanburglittlettheatre.com The Peace Center www.peacecenter.org Upstate Visual Arts www.upstatevisualarts.org Warehouse Theatre www.warehousetheatre.com PLACES TO GO

Spartanburg golf http://thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/ SC/Spartanburg.htm

Christ Church, Episcopal in Greenville www.ccgsc.org

Anderson golf http://thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/ SC/Anderson.htm

Cowpens National Battlefield www.nps.gov/cowp

Pickens golf http://thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/ SC/Pickens.htm ARTS

First Presbyterian Church, Greenville www.firstpresgreenville.org Fort Hill www.clemson.edu/about/history/properties/fort-hill

101.1, WROQ, Rock 101, Classic Rock www.wroq.com

Anderson Arts Center www.andersonarts.org

Greenville Zoo www.greenvillezoo. com

102.5, WMYI, My 102.5, Soft Rock www.wmyi.com

Anderson County Fair www.andersoncountyfair.com

104.9, WCCP, Super Sports Radio www.wccpfm.com

Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center www.andersonevents.com

Hagood Mill www.co.pickens.sc.us/ culturalcommission

107.3, WJMZ, Hip-Hop and R&B http://1073jamz.com

Hollywild Animal Park www.hollywild.com

Bi-Lo Center www.bilocenter.com

Kilgore-Lewis House www.kilgore-lewis.org

Anderson Area Medical Center www.anmedhealth.org

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts www.clemson.edu/Brooks/

Kings Mountain National Battlefield www.nps.gov/kimo

Canon Memorial Hospital www.canonhospital.org

Clemson Little Theatre www.clemsonlittletheatre.com

Greenville Hospital System www.ghs.org

Discover Upcountry Carolina Association www.upcountrysc.com

Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area http://www.discovercarolina.com/html/ s05nature105.html

HOSPITALS

Mary Black Memorial Hospital www.maryblackhealthsystem.com Palmetto Baptist of Easley www.palmettohealth.org Shriners Hospitals for Children — Greenville www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/ Hospitals/Locations/Greenville.aspx Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System www.spartanburgregional.com St. Francis Health System www.stfrancishealth.org NEWCOMERS CLUBS Newcomers Clubs in SC www.newcomersclub.com/sc.html ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS

WRET-TV 49 (PBS) www.scetv.org

Greenville.com Organizations Page www.greenville.com/community/clubs. html

SCETV (PBS)

Greenville.com Recreation Page

Electric-City Playhouse www.ecplayhouse.com Greenville Ballet www.greenvilleballet.com Greenville County Museum of Art www.greenvillemuseum.org Greenville Symphony Orchestra www.greenvillesymphony.org Greenville Metropolitan Arts Council www.greenvillearts.com Pendleton District Historical, Recreational and Tourism Commission www.pendletondistrict.org South Carolina Arts Commission www.southcarolinaarts.com

Peachoid www.gbpw.com/peachoid.aspx Pendleton www.pendletondistrict.org Pretty Place http://www.campgreenville.org/ chapel.php Price House www.spartanburghistory.org Reedy River Falls Park and Falls Cottage www.fallspark.com South Carolina Botanical Garden www.clemson.edu/scbg Roper Mountain Science Center www.ropermountain.org Spartanburg Science Center www.spartanburgsciencecenter.org

Spartanburg County Arts Center www.spartanarts.org Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium www.crowdpleaser.com Spartanburg Philharmonic

INTRO | 47

Newcomer Information ANDERSON Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Co., 864-233-7966; 201 W. McBee Ave., Greenville; www.piedmontng.com Water and sewer: Electric City Utilities, 864-231-2250 (sewer), 864-260-6347 (water); 601 S. Main St., Anderson; www.cityofandersonsc.com Garbage: City of Anderson Public Works Department, 864-231-2246; 601 S. Main St., Anderson; www.cityofandersonsc.com CLEMSON Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com Gas: Fort Hill Natural Gas, 864-859-6375,www.fhnga.com Water, sewer and garbage service: City of Clemson, 864-653-2035; 1250 Tiger Blvd., Clemson; www.cityofclemson.org EASLEY Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric, water and sewer: Easley Combined Utilities, 864-859-4013; 110 Peachtree St., Easley; www.easleyutilities.com Gas: Fort Hill Natural Gas, 864-859-6375,www.fhnga.com Garbage: City of Easley, 864-855-7900; 205 N. First St., Easley; www.cityofeasley.net GREENVILLE Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com

Map of the Upstate

Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com

276

Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com

Water: Greenville Water System, 864241-6000; 407 W. Broad St., Greenville; www.greenvillewater.com

Greer

Travelers Rest

Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Co., 864-233-7966; 201 W. McBee Ave., Greenville; www.piedmontng.com

26

25

Greenville

178 123

85

Clemson

Anderson

Garbage: City of Greer, 864-848-2151; 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer; www.cityofgreer.org MAULDIN Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com or Laurens Electric, 800-942-3141; www.laurenselectric.com Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Co., 864-233-7966; 201 W. McBee Ave., Greenville; www.piedmontng.com Water: Greenville Water System, 864241-6000; 407 W. Broad St., Greenville; www.greenvillewater.com Sewer: Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, 864-299-4000; 561

26

76

Laurens Clinton

Greenwood

221

Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com

Sewer: Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, 864-299-4000; 561 Mauldin Drive, Greenville; www.rewaonline.org

176

178

GREER

Gas, water, sewer: Greer Commission of Public Works, 864-848-5500; www.greercpw.com

Spartanburg

385

25

Garbage: City of Greenville, 864-232-2273; 206 S. Main St., Greenville; www.greatergreenville.com

Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com or Greer Commission of Public Works, 864-848-5500; www.greercpw.com

29

Easley

Sewer: Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, 864-299-4000; 561 Mauldin Drive, Greenville; www.rewaonline.org

Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com

85

25 Edgefield

Mauldin Drive, Greenville; www. rewaonline.org Garbage: City of Mauldin Public Works, 864-289-8904; 5 E. Butler Road, Mauldin; www.mauldin.govoffice.com 40 | INTRO Newcomers guide to the Upstate

PICKENS

Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Northland Cable, 864-882-0002; www.northlandcabletv.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com Gas: Fort Hill Natural Gas, 864-859-6375, www.fhnga.com Water, sewer and garbage: City of Pickens, 864-878-9819 (garbage) and 864-878-6421 (water and sewer); 219 Pendleton St., Pickens; www.cityofpickens.moonfruit.com SIMPSONVILLE Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com or Laurens Electric, 800-942-3141; www.laurenselectric.com Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Co., 864-233-7966; 201 W. McBee Ave., Greenville; www.piedmontng.com

Water: Greenville Water System, 864-241-6000; 407 W. Broad St., Greenville; customerservice@greenvillewater. com; www.greenvillewater.com Sewer service: Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, 864-299-4000; 561 Mauldin Drive, Greenville; www.rewaonline.org Garbage service: City of Simpsonville Public Works, 864-967-9531; 110 Woodside Park Drive, Simpsonville; www.simpsonvillesc.org SPARTANBURG Phone: AT&T, 800-336-0014; www.connect.att.com Cable: Charter Communications, 800-955-7766; www.charter.com Electric: Duke Power, 864-654-7128; www.dukepower.com Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Co.; 864-576-5588; 501 W. Blackstock Road, Spartanburg; www.piedmontng.com Water and sewer: Spartanburg Water, 864-582-6375; 200 Commerce St., Spartanburg; www.sws-sssd.org Garbage: City of Spartanburg Public Works, 864-596-2000; 145 W. Broad St., Spartanburg

Real Estate Law That’s all we do

At Lanier Law Firm, LLC, everything we do, every day, is centered around making the process of buying, selling or refinancing real estate easier.

We utilize our experience, expertise and the latest available technologies to make sure that your closing is smooth and stress-free.

At Lanier Law Firm, we are available to you to answer your questions at any time. Once you choose our firm for your closing, one legal assistant is assigned to your closing and will work with you, your realtor, and your bank through the entire process.

Should you need advice on any issue, your attorney, Jacqui Lanier, is available to speak with you to answer any questions you may have, and to counsel with you to make sure your legal interests are protected.

Lanier Law Firm, LLC

113 Pelham Commons Blvd.

Greenville, SC 29615

ph. 864.239.0480 fx. 864.239.0482

BENCHMARK Mortgage Services

We build dreams

...one loan at a time

W

ith more than 7 years industry experience, I make it a point to get you into the best loan program for your needs. I am proud to be a part of an elite team that relies on customer service and professionalism to put you into the home of your dreams.

Whether you are a first time home buyer, an investor, or anything in between, we have a mortgage to fit your needs.

Alex Lilla, NMLS #260137

Loan Officer, Benchmark Home Loans Office: 864.527.9980, ext. 116 • Cell: 864.285.5849

100 Executive Center Dr, Greenville, SC 29615

864.527.9980 Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS: 2143