Treasures in the Old 96 District of South Carolina
The Heritage Gold Mine Park in McCormick, South Carolina tells the story of the second largest gold mining operation in the state.
Heritage Gold Mine
Just a few miles from the banks of the Savannah River and the Georgia State Line some houses in one small town are literally sitting on a gold mine. Back in the mid-19th Century a South Carolina farmer’s obsession with gold mining led him to one of the richest deposits of gold in the Palmetto State.
One of the first remnants of the Billy Dorn Gold mine is the pit named “First Strike” the place where Dorn finally made the discovery he needed to keep his gold mining dream alive.
Today, the remnants of William Dorn’s gold mining operations provide visitors to McCormick with a unique glimpse into this hunt for treasure in South Carolina. Opened in 2005, the Heritage Gold Mine preserves a slice of area history hidden for decades on the edge of town.
My daughter and I checked out the tunnel at the Heritage Gold Mine Park (and she took her mask off for the picture. I did not.)
From the entrance to the Gold Mine Park, visitors make their way to a place called “First Strike.” The spot overlooks an exposed trench where Billy Dorn made the discovery he needed to keep his dream alive. From there the mining operations expanded and Dorn’s operations became the second largest gold mine in South Carolina.
The highlight of the tour for me (and for my daughter) was the trip back into the tunnel, Billy Dorn and his workers dug back into the hillside at the back of the park. The first step inside is a bit narrow and you definitely need to watch your head. From there you go inside the earth about 200 feet where your guide shows you just how Dorn’s crews looked for the veins of gold.
More pathways in the park lead you high above deep pits and wide trenches giving visitors a clearer picture of what it took to get the gold out of the ground. At the end of the tour, you get a chance to pan for your own gold. The Heritage Gold Mine is only open seasonally, a couple of weekends a month. There is a small admission price for the tour and the materials used for panning (if you want to do that part).
South Carolina’s Freshwater Coast
While South Carolina treasures its beaches, the state also treasures its “Freshwater Coast.” In the Old 96 district the 11,400 acre Lake Greenwood, 29,650 acre Lake Russell and 71,000 acre Lake Thurmond provide plenty of opportunities to cool down, relax and enjoy the bounties of the freshwater “sea.” Baker Creek, Calhoun Falls, Lake Greenwood and Hickory Knob State Parks line the shores of the Freshwater Coast.
The State Park jewel in the Old 96 is Hickory Knob, a full fledged resort offering a campground, a lodge, cabins, restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. Of course the park provides plenty of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Water activities are also popular. Bring your own watercraft or go by the park office and rent a kayak or paddleboard and get out on the water. (My daughter and I tried out the kayaks. It was only my second time on a kayak and her first. It was an amazing experience once we both got used to being out on the water.)
Kayaking is a popular thing to do at Hickory Knob State Park in McCormick, SC
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is just a few miles from the town of McCormick (home to the Heritage Gold Mine). The small town itself is a treasure. Downtown stretches out along the railroad tracks with plenty of historic buildings and a picturesque train depot. It’s definitely a town worth exploring on your way down to the Freshwater Coast.
This brightly colored mural helps tell the story of McCormick County, South Carolina.
The 25 Drive-In
With movie theaters across the country closed, the summer of 2020 might become known as the birth of a new era at the Drive-In. Social distancing while enjoy classic films helped make our summer a bit brighter while on our trip to the Old 96 District. Just a few miles south of Greenwood, the 25 Drive-In which first opened in 1945 continues to provide a unique movie going experience. In fact, this drive-in has three screens making it kind of a multi-plex for the outdoor movie crowd.
The 25 Drive-In outside of Greenwood, SC features three screens. It originally opened in 1945.
During the summer of 2020 when Hollywood put the brakes on blockbuster films, people were putting their feet on the gas pedals and rolling into the 25 Drive-In for some classic films like the original Ghostbusters (which my daughter and I chose to watch), Jaws, Back to the Future and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The concession stand at the 25 Drive- In makes the movie going experience even better. There’s a full menu of food and snacks and you can opt in for unlimited refills for things like popcorn or iced tea. (Soft drink refills cost extra, but still a good deal). You might even run into the owners Tommy and Carolyn McCutcheon (aka Mom & Pop), a couple that is passionate about the drive-in theater experience. Carolyn even serves on the board of the United Drive-in Theater Owners Association.
Architectural Treasures in Abbeville
If you love history and architecture, the treasures you’ll find in Abbeville will surprise you. As soon as you drive into the downtown area, the brick lined streets, colorful buildings and stately lamp posts all work to take you back in time. After my first visit to Abbeville back in 2019, I compared what I found to South Carolina’s “Holy City,” Charleston. One of the reasons it reminded me of its coastal cousin is the stately Trinity Episcopal Church, a pink hued, gothic style cathedral build just before the Civil War. Extensive renovations are going on inside and out.
Along the square you’ll find several specialty shops, an historic County Courthouse, the famed Opera House (which still holds productions today) and several restaurants. Our recent visit there was on July 4th and not much was open, but it’s hard not to feel something special even just walking around and taking in your surroundings.
One business we did visit is just off the square. Breezy Quarters, soap and Bath Factory is a place I had visited previously and was anxious to show my wife and daughter. As soon as we walked in I recognized owner Paige Bowser who started making soap in her home back in 2009. Her business grew from a closet in the building that has now become her factory and store.
Check out more about historic Abbeville here on knoxroadtripper.com.
A Festival of Flowers and More
While you can find great food, shopping and lodging in Greenwood, South Carolina, one event in early summer makes this small city a true treasure. The South Carolina Festival of Flowers is one of the premiere events in the Palmetto State. It started more than 50 years ago when the Park Seed Company hosted show gardens. It’s now a source of pride for Greenwood bringing in more than 100,000 people to this part of the state.
The main draw (even in a year when there weren’t any big events) is the assortment of topiaries scattered through Uptown Greenwood. More than forty elaborate floral creations make up the bulk of what there is to see. From an almost life sized elephant and giraffes to a flamingo and an alligator in a fountain, the topiaries stay up for several weeks.
While you’re in Greenwood there is plenty to see even when the topiaries go away. The Museum and the Art Center both showcase the area’s rich culture and history. The unique two-story sidewalk system on either side of Main Street leads you to local shops, restaurants and other businesses. Fat Daddy’s BBQ nearby serves up BBQ ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and some delicious hash (a dish I had not tried until my visit there in 1999 … yummy!)
If you’re planning on staying in the area a few days, the Inn on the Square is THE place to stay. There’s a lot of attention to detail given to each room and when it’s up and running, the Sunday Brunch is one of the most memorable meals you will ever have.
You can read more about the Uptown Greenwood experience here on knoxroadtripper.com .
Ten South Carolina governors have called Edgefield home. The town is also home to the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Treasuring the turkey in the Old 96
Now you might not be one to consider turkeys to be a treasure, but a visit to the Old 96 town of Edgefield will have you thinking otherwise. This small town not far from Augusta, GA is home to the National Wild Turkey Federation. In 2019, I visited the museum and was highly unaware about the struggle the wild turkey had faced in America and just how much this organization worked to restore and maintain the bird’s population. Interactive exhibits, animatronics and historical artifacts abound in this impressive museum tucked away on the edge of Edgefield.
Edgefield is wild about turkeys.
The town really loves its turkeys. In fact you’ll see brightly decorated turkeys all over the square. And while the wild turkey takes center stage, there’s plenty more to see in Edgefield. The picturesque square is surrounded by small shops and a few restaurants including the Edgefield General Store which has plenty of unique items for sale and an old fashioned soda fountain.
My favorite spot on the square is the Carolina Moon Distillery and it’s not so much about my love of locally crafted spirits as it is the stories that come along with them. There’s the Ten G’s Vodka, which is an ode to the Ten Governors of South Carolina who called Edgefield home; the Rabbit Spit Cinnamon Moonshine, a beverage bold enough to make a rabbit spit in a bulldog’s face, and Becky Cotton Gin named after the Black Widow of the town who after murdering four husbands escaped the hangman’s noose in the end. The gin comes with a warning that it is a smooth taste “you’ll kill for.”
There are a few other places you’ll want to check out in the Old 96 including the National Historic Site that gives the district its name. The Ninety-Six site played an important role in America’s battle for independence from the British.
It’s difficult to cover all the things there are to see in South Carolina’s Old 96 District, but it’s the perfect place for a Road Trip. On each of my visits there I did take time to explore more of the region even if I didn’t get to spend much time in places like Due West, Laurens or Waterloo. Here are a few more pictures from the Road Trip to the Old 96.
