About the Region

WE’RE WAY MORE THAN HORSES

OUR HISTORY ...

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

OUR NATURE ...

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

OUR SHOPPING ...

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

OUR FOOD ...

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

AND REST ...

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

AIKEN COUNTY

Aiken County, known throughout the world for its equestrian training facilities, is home to the Aiken Training Track. Since 1942, this facility has produced forty National Champions, six Kentucky Derby winners, three Preakness Stakes winners and nine Belmont Stakes winners. Palace Malice, 2013 Belmont Stakes winner; Demonstrative, 2014 Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse; Pleasant Colony, 1981 Eclipse Award Champion 3 Year Old Male; and Concrete Rose, 2019 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year are just a few of the famous horses that have called Aiken County home. Among the esteemed horses and live oaks, Aiken County thrives on its rich history. The historic towns such as Aiken, Beech Island, North Augusta and Wagener represent every time in history. From plantation homes and historic churches to iconic drive-ins and trendy diners, Aiken County remembers it all. Enjoy nature through unique experiences and activities like hiking one of the largest urban forests in the United States. Hitchcock Woods and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center are two places to visit for anyone who appreciates the beauty of preserved land. Other activities include hunting, fishing and golfing, along with a variety of family-friendly adventures. Discover Aiken County, your visit is sure to be a memorable one.

Formed from parts of Barnwell and Hampton counties in 1919, Allendale is the youngest county in South Carolina. Historic churches and cemeteries are plentiful in this corner of the region. Take in the beauty as you ride miles of equestrian trails with your horse or experience a variety of unique hunting options. Travelers to this part of the region in July have the special opportunity to see a Swallowtailed Kite. Being one of the most elegant birds of the Americas, you won’t want to miss the chance to see them. Allendale has a strong tradition in agriculture and produces cotton, watermelons, peaches, peanuts, corn, okra and other crops. Make a stop at a roadside stand to enjoy some of the fresh local produce. Don’t forget to sample southern BBQ and good oldfashioned home cooking while you’re in town. Visit USC Salkehatchie and view the “Searching for our Beginnings” Topper Site exhibit, the only permanent collection of Clovis and pre-Clovis artifacts. Enjoy your trip through Allendale County as you discover the southernmost part of our region.

ALLENDALE COUNTY