Western York County, SC
SCENIC BYWAY
CLOVER • FORT MILL • HICKORY GROVE • LAKE WYLIE • ROCK HILL • SHARON • TEGA CAY • YORK
STEP BACK INTO A SIMPLER WAY OF LIFE Along the serene Western York County Scenic Byway, you will discover fields of hay, wheat and cotton. Watch goats, horses, and cattle roaming their natural element. York County’s rich agricultural heritage can still be experienced today in the area’s peach stands, historic cotton gins and family farms. Architecture is also preserved along the byway, and can be seen in pastoral churches, historic attractions like Brattonsville, and charming downtown areas dense with landmark buildings. Come discover the roots of the America we know today in one of the regions where the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were fought.
Please refer to the fold out map to help you easily navigate your way around picturesque Western York County!
Town of Clover
MUST SEES These are some of the hallmark areas to check out on the byway and in the surrounding region. These locations along with all community highlights identified in this brochure are shown on the map at the back of the brochure.
Along the Byway: 1. Historic Brattonsville, McConnells 2. Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg 3. Kings Mountain State Park, Blacksburg 4. Historic Downtown York 5. Produce Stores & Stands
Nearby Attractions: 6. Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill | Nature and Recreation Preserve
7. Carowinds, Fort Mill | Amusement & Water Park 8. NarroWay Productions, Fort Mill | Christian Broadway Dinner
The town officially began around the site of a 5,000-gallon water tank constructed to serve the steam engines of the Chester and Lenoir Narrow Gauge Railroad. According to local legend, excess water spilling on the ground caused patches of clover to spring up. Railroad workers began referring to the town as Clover Patch. The Town was chartered on December 24, 1887. Clover became a booming textile community. Textiles continue to play a part of the community’s economy.
Town of Hickory Grove The first settlement in what is now the Town of Hickory Grove originated sometime in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. It was granted a township charter in 1888. The area around what is now Hickory Grove was a good farming area with a river and several creeks that supplied water. The settlement was named Hickory Grove due to the hickory trees that grew there, which meant there was good soil for crops. Today, much of Hickory Grove’s history can be seen through houses found on Wylie Avenue, Peachtree Street, and Smithford Street.
Theatre
9. Catawba Cultural Center, Rock Hill | Native American Center 10. Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour, Rock Hill | Zipline Adventure
Town of McConnells Incorporated in 1906 and located in western York County, the Town is home to Historic Brattonsville, a 775-acre historic site that includes a Revolutionary War battlefield. Each July a two-day event commemorating the Battle of Huck’s Defeat is recreated near its original site. Historic Brattonsville features more than 30 historic structures which are available for tours. These structures are also used during living history programs where costumed-interpreters relive the past by demonstrating a variety of programs.
4 WESTERN YORK COUNTY SCENIC BYWAY
#myYCstory 5
Town of Sharon Established in 1889 when the Chicago, Cincinnati, and Charleston Railroad built a trunk line across York County, Sharon received its name from the Sharon Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, which was organized there around 1796. Most of Sharon’s commercial district is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The beautifully restored Hill Building was built in 1913 and was the home of Hill Mercantile and Planters Bank. Other distinguished examples of architecture relating to the cotton based economy can be seen throughout the town.
HISTORIC
Town of Smyrna
1. Historic Brattonsville, McConnells | Experience living history at
Named for the Smyrna Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, this town was chartered in 1895 after the building of the Charleston, Cincinnati, and Chicago Railroad. Early in the nineteenth century, gold was discovered in the flinty soil around Smyrna and other areas of York County. More than 30 mines were in operation at various times in Western York County. In 1851, a twenty-one pound nugget was taken from the Martin mine near Whiteside General Store.
City of York Originally called Fergus Crossroads, the town of Yorkville was established as the county seat in 1785. The commercial district developed along the intersection of the stagecoach routes that formed Fergus Crossroads. Throughout the first half of the 19th century, Yorkville prospered and became a commercial and cultural center for the upcountry. As the town entered the 20th century, textiles became the dominant economic force, one that would continue to drive the area’s economy for decades. York’s distinguished history and rich architectural heritage have been preserved through concerted community effort. Dedicated individuals and groups help to perpetuate the town’s living history. The York Historical District is one of the largest in the United States.
6 WESTERN YORK COUNTY SCENIC BYWAY
Western York County Scenic Byway is founded on history. These are some of the most popular spots for history bluffs.
Historic Sites: this 775-acre Revolutionary War site.
2. Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg | The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. 3. Museum of Western York County, Sharon | Culture and heritage of Western York County are presented through a wide variety of memorabilia ranging from rough plows to delicate glassware. 4. McGill’s Store, SC 161 | An old country general store and has been in business since 1888. 5. Historic Downtown York – National Register Historic District and local York Historic District | The main streets to see include: Kings Mountain, Congress, Liberty, Jefferson, Wright, and College. 6. McCelvey Center, York | The McCelvey Center campus is home to the Historical Center of York County and the Southern Revolutionary War Institute. 7. W.L. Hill Store, Sharon | An old country general store that has been in business since 1913.
Churches & Cemeteries: 8. Rose Hill Cemetery (1829), York 9. Smyrna Associate Presbyterian Church (1832), Smyrna 10. Bullocks Creek Presbyterian Church & Bullocks Creek
Cemetery, (1769), Bullocks Creek
11. Betheseda Presbyterian Church (1765), McConnells 12. Olivet Presbyterian Church (1842), McConnells 13. Bethany Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (1797), Clover
#myYCstory 7
FARMS & FRESH MARKETS EATING & SHOPPING
1. Hill’s Store (Sharon Nursery & Garden Center), Sharon 2. Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill, York 3. Sanders Peach Farm & Roadside Market, Filbert (seasonal) 4. Bush-N-Vine, York 5. Black’s Peaches & the Cotton Belt Bakery, York 6. The Peach Tree, Filbert 7. Bryant’s Peaches, Filbert (seasonal)
Food: 1. Sharon Grill, Sharon: Home Cooking 2. Winn Express, Sharon: Full Menu 3. Brownie’s Sales, Sharon: Ice Cream & Ready to Purchase Food 4. C & M Convenience Store, Hickory Grove: Sandwiches & More 5. Wilkerson Supply Company, Hickory Grove: Café Sandwiches 6. The Coal Yard, York: Full Menu 7. The Garden Café, York: Full Menu & Gift Shop 8. Italian Garden Restaurant, York: Full Menu 9. Palmetto Seafood Bar & Grill, York: Full Menu
RECREATION
Shops: 10. Wilkerson Supply Company, Hickory Grove 11. C & M Convenience Store, Hickory Grove 12. Myers Art Studio, Hickory Grove 13. Hill’s Store (Sharon Nursery & Garden Center), Sharon 14. McGill’s Store, SC 161 15. Leake’s Antiques, York 16. The Frame Outlet, York 17. The Men’s Shop, York 18. The Outdoor Shop, York
8 WESTERN YORK COUNTY SCENIC BYWAY
1. James Ross Wildlife Reservation, York: Hunting, Trails, Nature Viewing
2. Historic Brattonsville, McConnells: Walt Schrader Trails 3. Kings Mountain State Park, Blacksburg: Trails, Picnic Tables, Canoeing/Kayaking, Fishing, Boating, Equestrian Trails, Playgrounds, Camping 4. Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg: Hiking, Equestrian Trails, Picnic Tables, Camping, Bird Watching 5. Nanny’s Mountain, Clover: Trails, Picnic Tables 6. Worth Mountain Park Wildlife Management Area, Hickory Grove: Hunting, Trails, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching 7. Draper Wildlife Management Area, McConnells: Hunting, Trails, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching 8. City of York Parks, York: Trails, Playgrounds, Picnic Tables Ball Fields
#myYCstory 9
TOUR SUGGESTIONS Since this Scenic Highway is only 63 miles, tourists can travel the whole length of it in a relatively short time. Depending on your travel interests and the amount of time you have, here are some suggested tours:
Half-Day Tour: • Explore Kings Mountain State Park/Kings Mountain National Military Park • Stop for a snack at produce markets and McGill’s Store • Explore Historic Downtown York or Historic Brattonsville
Weekend Tour: DAY 1: • Explore Kings Mountain State Park/Kings Mountain National Military Park • Stop off at produce markets and McGill’s Store • Grab a late lunch in York and explore the historic district • Head to Historic Brattonsville • Dinner in York or Sharon
DAY 2:
Full-Day Tour: • Explore Kings Mountain State Park/Kings Mountain National Military Park • Stop off at produce markets and McGill’s Store • Grab a late lunch in York and explore the historic district • Head to Historic Brattonsville • Explore downtown Sharon and the Historic Hill Mercantile • Visit the Museum of Western York County • Have dinner at the Sharon Grill
10 WESTERN YORK COUNTY SCENIC BYWAY
• Explore downtown Sharon and tour the Historic Hill Mercantile building • Visit the Museum of Western York County • Have lunch with locals at the Sharon Grill • Hike to the top of Worth Mountain or to the Broad River at Worth Mountain Park Wildlife Management Area • Take in the charms of Hickory Grove and Smyrna
#myYCstory 11
WESTERN YORK COUNTY, SC SCENIC BYWAY For more information, contact: York County Visitors’ Center 375 S. Anderson Road | Rock Hill, SC 888/702-1320 | 803/329-5200 VisitYorkCounty.com
Charlotte, NC
ROCK HILL
STAY UP TO DATE Download the Visit York County, SC App
visityorkcounty.com
Western York County, SC
SCENIC BYWAY N.C. S.C. 8 CO NG RE SS ST .
7
3
4 2
18 HW Y
17 5
77
Clover 5
6
49 55
14 16
Smyrna
5
CH
8
1
2
211
1
Celanese Rd
5
3
Rock Hill
3 7
1 Sharon 13
160
21
321
O. RC
211
161
TE
. CO
6
Mt .Ga lla nt Rd
AS
EE
4,11
49
274
4
BYP
21
Rd
5 BYP
21
Co
A
io n
77
h ig
lum bia
72
r lb
9
r
rs o
d tR
1
se Re
e And
York County, SC
2 1
Rd
SC
12
va t
nR d
901
7
e vill ns
322
r er Ch
vd Bl
10
e
McConnells
2 32 y Rd
kl
49
ec
11
to at Br
York Co.
97 Broad River
2 miles
324
Dave Lyle Bl vd
York County Visitors Center
H
N
NC
OK
Hickory Grove
10
5
York
Fort Mill
6
LA
ER
75
21
21
49
BYP
5
BYP
Tega Cay
5
5
5,10
160
7
6
15 4
2
97 12
8
3 321
5
9
7
5
9
6
233
Lake Wylie
557
161
8
Charlotte, NC
274
13 14 4
2 3
CHESTER CO.
Numbered Highlights Key
Byway Route & Side Routes
Historic Sites
Western York County Scenic Byway
Eating & Shopping
Worth Mountain Park
Farms & Fresh Markets
Filbert
Recreation Must Sees
Please refer to the brochure for detailed information regarding the numbered locations listed above. Enjoy your journey along our scenic byway!
#myYCstory
visityorkcounty.com