2014-2015

Aiken Standard
aikenstandard.com

Proudly Sponsored by:

REAL.

Personal. H E A L T H C A R E .

From left: Dr. Aaron Garrett, Emergency Medicine Physician; Dr. Weems Pennington III, Cardiologist;
Benjamin Reimer, Cardiovascular Technician; Heather Gill, Cardiovascular Technician.

Leading the way to better health

At Aiken Regional Medical Centers, we know that when you choose a hospital, you want one that offers all the care you and
your family need ... in one comfortable, convenient location thats close to home.
When you need urgent care, our 24-hour Emergency Department is ready with board-certied emergency medicine
physicians. And weve got you covered with these comprehensive services:
Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services

641-5900

Sleep Evaluation Center

641-5370

Bariatric Services

641-5751

Southside Imaging Center

502-5020

The Vein Center

641-5544

Cancer Care Institute of Carolina

641-7850

Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina

641-5280

Diabetes & Nutrition Teaching Center

293-0023

Womens LifeCare Center

641-5800

Joint and Spine Center

641-5470

Womens LifeCare Diagnostic Services

641-5065

The Neuroscience Center

226-0130

Wound Healing Institute of Carolina

643-2090

Palmetto Pediatrics

641-KIDS

Find a Doctor.
To nd a physician, call our free Direct Doctors Plus
physician referral service at 1-800-882-7445.

Women Enlightened for Better Health 641-5893

Get to know us online.

Visit us at www.aikenregional.com to sign up for our health
and wellness newsletter Quality of Life, see a schedule of
community health events and more.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional
Medical Centers. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

AS09-1185363

AS20-1193893

On the Cover

2014-2015

Introduction

If you ask a resident of Aiken

County to sum up this county in
one word, you will receive a different answer from each person you
ask. Some will say horses, while
others may tout science.
Some will rhapsodize about
the areas natural beauty while
others think of agriculture or industry. Many will simply say that
Aiken County, with its charming
towns, towering pines, Antebellum homes and fertile fields, is
simply home.
This area is many things to
many different people. Aiken

County cannot be defined by a

single word or catchphrase; it
is a complete quilt comprised
of patchwork pieces that, when
joined together, create the fabric
of community.
This issue of Discover Aiken
County will view the county up
and down, inside and out, from
A to Z. This is your alphabetical
guide to what makes Aiken special, what makes Aiken unique,
what makes Aiken so loved that
people have come from all over
the country and other countries
as well to make this their home.

pg 8

Aiken

pg 16

Dining

pg 22

pg 12

Business
& Banksia

pg 17

Equestrian

pg 19

Facts & Figures

pg 26

pg 27

pg 14
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WilliamAiken
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DowntownAiken
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11

Culture

pg 20

Growing

pg 30

pg 32

Lobster Races

pg 41

Peaches & Perry

pg 46

Trains

pg 52

X-ray

Industry

Jackson & Juilliard

pg 34

Midland Valley
& Monetta

pg 35

North Augusta
& New Ellenton

pg 42

Bar-B-Q

pg 43

Real Estate

pg 48

Universe

pg 50

Values

pg 53

Y Dont You
Come to Aiken?

pg 54

Zest

Knowledge

pg 39

Outdoors

33

44

Aiken
Aiken Standard
Standard

September
September
2014
2014

History

22

September
September2014
2014

Proudly
Proudly
Sponsored
Sponsored
by:
by:

pg 44

Salley &
South Boundary

pg 51

Wagener &
Whiskey Road

326
326Rutland
RutlandDrive,
Drive,Aiken,
Aiken,SC
SC29801
29801
(803)
(803)648-2311
648-2311||aikenstandard.com
aikenstandard.com
President
President&
&Publisher
Publisher
Ellen
EllenC.
C.Priest
Priest

executive
executiveeditor
editor
Melissa
MelissaHanna
Hanna

Advertising
Advertisingdirector
director
Dee
DeeTaylor
Taylor

Advertising
AdvertisingsAles
sAlesMgr.
Mgr.
Diane
DianeDaniell
Daniell

content
content
Jeff
JeffWallace,
Wallace,Linden
LindenHammett
Hammett

design
design&
&lAyout
lAyout
Lauren
LaurenA.
A.Haley
Haley

contributing
contributingeditor
editor
Holly
HolleyEllington
Ellington

PhotogrAPhy
PhotogrAPhy
Bill
BillBengtson,
Bengtson,Cindy
CindyKubovic
Kubovic

Additional
Additional
photographs
photographs
courtesy
provided
of Aiken
by Aiken
CountyTourism
Tourism

THE NEUROSCIENCE CENTER

AT AIKEN REGIONAL

JAMES D. DILLON, MD

Neurosurgeon

Board Certied in Neurosurgery

The Neuroscience Center at Aiken Regional offers a comprehensive

range of adult neurological and spine disorder services including
a full continuum of stroke care, on an inpatient and outpatient
basis. The Center provides in-office treatment for many chronic
neurologic disorders, including dementia, multiple sclerosis,
peripheral nerve and muscle disorders and Parkinsons disease.
At The Neuroscience Center we collaborate across specialties
to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment for such
conditions as:

GREGORY J. SENGSTOCK, MD

Neurologist

Board Certied in Neurology

and Vascular Neurology

Concussion
Movement disorders
Balance problems
Sleep disorders
Headache and
migraine

Epilepsy
Brain tumors
Pituitary tumors
Skull base surgery
Intercerebral
hemorrhage

The Neuroscience Center at Aiken Regional is dedicated to providing leading-edge care for a wide range of neurological
illnesses. From determining the correct diagnosis to technologically advanced treatment options, the Centers staff is
committed to the wellness of each and every patient.

For more information about The Neuroscience Center

at Aiken Regional, please call 803.226.0130, or
visit www.aikenregional.com.

100 Aurora Place, Suite 300

Aiken, SC 29801

Physicians are on the medical staff of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, but, with limited
exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional
Medical Centers. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

From left: Dr. Gregory J. Sengstock, Neurologist; Dr. James D. Dillon,

Neurosurgeon; Kay Spencer, Administrative Coordinator; Stephanie
Baer, Medical Assistant; Jeremy Whitaker, Practice Administrator.

Advanced
stroke treatment.
n dayss a week..
Seven
urs a dayy.
24 hou

Christina Millhouse, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician

Stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment can save

brain cells and reduce damage and disability. Aiken Regional
has board certied emergency medicine physicians and
neurologists on staff who are trained to treat urgent stroke
symptoms, on call around the clock.

dvanced
treatment.
Aikenstroke
Regional Medical
Centers is a member of the National

Stroke
Associations
Network; committed to
ven days
a week.
24 Stroke
hoursCenter
a day.

providing high-quality acute and rehabilitative stroke care.

ARMC also follows treatment protocols established by the
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in
order to achieve door-to-needle treatment times of 60 minutes
or less for stroke patients.

Teleneurology is a partnership between Aiken Regional

Medical Centers and Georgia Regents Medical Center.

REAL.

Personal.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, but, with limited
exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided
by physicians.

Learn to spot a possible stroke F.A.S.T.

Face: Ask the person to smile.
Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask him/her to raise both arms.
Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time: is critical! If you see any of these signs,
call 9-1-1 immediately.
For more information on stroke, and stroke treatment at
Aiken Regional, visit www.aikenregional.com and click
on Hospital Services, then Stroke.

H E A LT H C A R E .

AS09-1185367

FIND A PHYSICIAN:
AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE BY SPECIALTY
ALLERGY
Matthew Clark, MD
279-7666
Gregory H. Esselman, MD
649-0003
Anthony E. Harris, MD
648-7897

GASTROENTEROLOGY
Ayaz Chaudhary, MD
226-0073
David S. Keisler Jr., MD
648-7888
Afsar M. Waraich, MD
649-4699

BARIATRIC SURGERY
Brian Lane, MD
641-5751
Sean Lee, MD
641-5751

HEMATOLOGY
Sitki M. Ergul, MD
641-7850
T. Mark Meyer, MD
648-7888

CARDIAC SURGERY
Thomas P. Paxton, MD
641-4874
L. Dieter Voegele, MD
641-4874

INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Gerald Gordon, MD
649-5300

CARDIOLOGY
Ansermo L. Arthur, MD
641-4874
David W. Cundey, MD
641-4874
Gregory L. Eaves, MD
641-4874
Weems Pennington, III, MD
641-4874
Idris S. Sharaf, MD
641-4874
COLON AND
RECTAL SURGERY
David H. Gibbs, MD
648-1171
Edward J. Jakubs Jr., MD
648-1171
Virginia B. Winburn, MD
648-1171
DERMATOLOGY
Richard S. Chesser, MD
641-0049
John R. Cook, MD
644-8900
Margaret H. Fitch, MD
649-3909
ENDOCRINOLOGY
R. Bauer Vaughters, MD
648-3130
FAMILY PRACTICE
James L. Bland, MD, JD
641-1404
Adam Bruckner, DO
649-7266
Mae Jean Englee, MD
663-9224
Dean T. Koukos, DO
259-5762
Ann M. Kulik, MD
648-8804
Leopoldo M. Muniz, MD
642-3505
Howard G. Royal Jr., MD
649-6941
Henry S. Tam, MD
648-4224
F. Michael Vasovski, DO
649-4446
Ray B. Vaughters Jr., MD
649-2501
David Zimmerman, MD
649-6941

INTERNAL MEDICINE
William T. Besson, III, MD
648-7888
Marc H. Brickman, DO
648-7774
Alyssa Degnan, DO
649-5300
Gerald Gordon, MD
649-5300
Asif Hashmi, MD
644-1027
David S. Keisler Jr., MD
648-7888
Thomas McCullough, MD
648-7888
T. Mark Meyer, MD
648-7888
Frank J. Mondschein, MD
649-5300
Sidney Rhoades, MD
226-0739
Ashley Toole, DO
649-5300
Randy D. Watson, MD
648-7818
Danijela S. Zotovic, MD, PhD
648-7888
NEPHROLOGY
Sindhu Garg, MD
648-0718
Douglas A. Stahura, DO
648-0718
NEUROLOGY
Richard A. Eisenberg, MD
642-6500
Melvyn L. Haas, MD
642-6500
Khaled F. Kamel, MD
642-6500
Michelle Lyon, MD
644-4264
Gregory Sengstock, MD
803-226-0130
NEUROSURGERY
James D. Dillon, MD
226-0130
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Kristy Haddock, FNP
648-7774

To nd a physician, call Aiken Regional

Medical Centers free Direct Doctors Plus
physician referral line at 1-800-332-8322

OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY
Cindy G. Besson, MD
(Gynecology only)
648-0803
James F. Boehner, MD
649-7535
Robert D. Boone, MD
649-7535
Gasnel E. Bryan, MD
648-0874
Lloyd B. Daniels, MD
649-4117
Tiffany Goldsmth, MD
649-4117
Judith L.B. Hoover, MD
649-7746
Jessica Keller, DO
649-7535
Oletha R. Minto, MD
649-7535
ONCOLOGY
Sitki M. Ergul, MD
641-7850
Ahmad N. Gill, MD
641-7850
T. Mark Meyer, MD
648-7888
Stephen Shlaer, MD
226-0104
Donald Townsend, MD
226-0104
OPHTHALMOLOGY
R. Lee Grantham, MD
642-1000
Nini S. Patheja, MD
642-6060
Daniel J. Smith, MD
642-6060
Enoch N. Tsai, MD
649-7991

Shalini Khurana, MD
641-KIDS (5437)
Jose Luis, MD
649-0578
Paula A. Luther, MD
642-9204
Edward Rigtrup, MD
641-KIDS (5437)
Ronald Rimmer, MD
641-KIDS (5437)
John B. Tiffany, MD
508-7651
PLASTIC/
RECONSTRUCTIVE
SURGERY
Dean A. Page, MD
642-0277
PODIATRY
George Sich, III, DPM
648-6988
Mackie J. Walker, DPM
649-3668
PSYCHIATRY
John A. Allen, MD
642-3801
Merry A. DeLeon, MD
641-5906
John Dewitt, MD
642-3801
Jaya Merugu, MD
641-5906
David A. Steiner, MD
642-3801

PULMONOLOGY/
CRITICAL CARE
Frank J. Mondschein, MD
649-5300
Nicholas J. Sanito, DO
643-1090
Miroslav B. Zotovic, MD
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL 643-1090
SURGERY
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
David S. Hudson, DMD
Byron Dasher, MD
649-1177
641-7850
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Mark P. Ezekiel, MD
Ty W. Carter, MD
641-7850
644-4264
Jed Howington, MD
Douglas E. Holford, MD
641-7850
644-4264
Jerry Howington, MD
R. Vaughan Massie, MD
641-7850
644-4264
John Stewart, MD
Clark D. Moore, MD
641-7850
644-4264
SURGERY
Timothy J. Shannon, MD
Frank Y. Chase, MD
644-4264
648-1318
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Wayne T. Frei, MD
Gregory H. Esselman, MD
648-1318
649-0003
Robert C. Terry, MD
Anthony E. Harris, MD
648-1318
648-7897
THORACIC AND
Patrick G. McMenamin, MD
VASCULAR SURGERY
649-0003
Thomas P. Paxton, MD
PAIN MANAGEMENT
641-4874
Russell Daniel, MD
L. Dieter Voegele, MD
644-4264
641-4874
William E. Durrett Jr., MD
642-6500
PEDIATRICS
Saira Alimohamed, MD
641-KIDS (5437)
Jonathan C. Collins, MD
642-9204

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

UROLOGY
Jonathan H. Anderson, MD
649-3903
Richard P. von Buedingen, MD
648-7815
Michael Moran, MD
649-3903
WOUND CARE/HBO
THERAPY
James L. Hagan, MD
643-2090
Jack L. Ratliff, MD
643-2090
HOSPITAL-BASED
PHYSICIANS
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Emily Ashford, MD
Robert P. Cassingham, MD
Kevin Graham, DO
Benjamin S. Ulmer Jr., MD
CARDIAC REHAB
Don Pennington, MD
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Michelle Bens, MD
Anthony Bostick, MD
Thomas Brewer, MD
Cortney Draper, MD
Charles Eaves, DO, FACEP
Suzanne Echemendia, MD
Aaron Garrett, DO
Aaron High, MD
Yenney Meza, MD
Nathan Miller, MD
Christina Millhouse, MD
James Mock, MD
Nicole Nadel, DO
Adam Nofziger, MD
HOSPITALIST
Lincoln McGinnis, MD
Itai Mupanduki, MD
Chioma V. Udogu, MD
Robert Walker, MD
INDUSTRY HEALTH
Gaines L. Entrekin, MD
PATHOLOGY
Alan D. Pierce, MD
Trent D. Trzpuc, MD
Robert L. Williams, MD
RADIOLOGY
Alfonso Gay, MD
Ronald P. Robinson, MD
Robert F. Searles, DO
Anthony L. Toomer, MD
TELENEUROLOGY
Askiel Bruno, MD
David C. Hess, MD
Fenwick Nichols, MD
Jerry Pruitt, MD
Jeffrey A. Switzer, DO
TELESTROKE
Hartmut Gross, MD

AS09-1185370

is for

Aiken
We begin our alphabetical
look at Aiken County with the
city that provides the name
Aiken.
The City of Aiken is the
largest city in and the county
seat of Aiken County. Founded
in 1835, Aiken was located
near the end of the CharlestonHamburg Railroad Line, which
connected Charleston to Hamburg

and the Savannah River.

The City of Aiken was
named for William Aiken,
the president of the South
Carolina Canal and Railroad
Co. Meticulously designed by
engineers Alfred Dexter and
C.O. Pascalis, the streets of
downtown Aiken were built
in a grid pattern of wide,
graceful avenues and large
parkways.
For many years, Aiken
remained a small community,
visited by wealthy Charlestonians escaping the humid
summers on the coast. By
the end of the 19th century,
however, the city had become
a popular Winter Colony,
where many prominent Northerners built lavish estates.
Thomas Hitchcock and his
wife introduced polo, fox hunting and thoroughbred horse
racing to the area. Notable
families such as the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and
Bostwicks spent their winters
in the thriving town.
The leisure sports that
amused the wealthy winter visitors remain vital pieces
of Aikens cultural
heritage and current economic
makeup.
In 1939,
Thomas
Hitchcock Jr.
and his sister,
Helen Hitchcock Clark,
established
the Hitchcock
Foundation
and donated
more than
1,900 acres for
the benefit of
the citizens
of Aiken. The
area, which
is now called
Hitchcock
Woods,
encompasses
more than
2,100 acres
in the center
of the city and
is one of the largest
urban forests in the
country. The maintained
trails are used for walking, running, horseback
See Aiken, page 10

Taylor-Deegan
Your Aiken REAltoRS!

Donna Taylor
Vice President, Broker Associate
SRES, REAltoR
dtaylor@homesofaiken.com
www.homesofaiken.com

803-640-9423
the Smart Choice

Cat Deegan
ABR, SRS, REAltoR
catdeeganproperties@gmail.com
www.catdeegan.com

803-646-0699
Your Concierge Agent

leading Real Estate Companies of the World

9

Aiken...from page 8
A

riding and drag hunting. They

are also used as an unofficial
laboratory for students of ecology.
Recreational enjoyments
in the city are not limited to
Hitchcock Woods. The City
of Aiken maintains 14 parks,
including natural areas with
walking trails, beautiful
gardens, athletic facilities and
playgrounds for children.
Hopelands Gardens, a 14acre garden with winding trails,
serene ponds and the spreading boughs of live oaks, was
once the grounds of the Iselin
Winter Colony estate. It was bequeathed to the city by Mrs. C.
Oliver Iselin. Though the house
no longer exists, visitors can
enjoy looking at the dollhouse,
koi ponds and fountains that
remain.
Hopelands is also home to
the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum,
which chronicles Aikens contributions to thoroughbred racing.
Another notable city-run park
is the Carolina Bay Nature Pre-

serve. Carolina Bays are unique

wetland areas, and this spot has
been maintained to highlight
the natural flora and fauna. The
area has two walking trails and
a climbing wall.
Aiken has any number of
recreational activities as well.
City residents have access to instruction in every interest from
ceramics classes to mah jong
and yoga, as well as organized
sports for youth and adults.
Citizens Park, the largest cityrun athletic complex, boasts
15 lighted baseball and softball
fields and hosts large tournaments. There are also facilities
for tennis, racquetball, skateboarding, swimming, running
and soccer.
The City of Aiken has
worked diligently to maintain
as many natural areas as possible in our urban environment.
Trees line the streets, and some
of the 176 parkways have been
planted with rhododendron,
azalea, daffodils, lilies and other
beautiful flowers. Visitors will
find plaques on 105 different
varieties of trees in the city. The
informational plaques are part

of Aikens Citywide
Arboretum, which
highlights the variety
of unique species
found here.
Though Aiken is
small in terms of size,
the city boasts limitless opportunities for
outdoor recreation,
relaxation, shopping
and dining.

AS07-1202140

10

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1743 Whiskey Road
Aiken, SC 29803
Phone: 803.648.2672
Toll Free: 866.866.4526
tomyoung@allstate.com
8:30am to 5:30pm
Auto, Home, Life, Retirement

Family Owned and Operated

Keeping Aiken Comfortable Since 1970
AS35-1202084

Richard & Joan Mason

The museum offers over thirty

rooms of exhibits and is housed in
a 1930s winter colony mansion
called Banksia. Gift shop.
Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10-5; Sun., 2-5

433 Newberry St., SW

Aiken, SC 29801

803-642-2015

www.aikencountyhistoricalmuseum.org

AS20-1197095

880 Banks Mill Road, Aiken, SC 29801

AS02-1205219

of Aiken

is for

Business
Business is booming in
Aiken County! Our thriving
business community is readily
visible on the quaint, bustling
streets of downtown Aiken
and North Augusta and in the
more modern shopping centers
elsewhere.
Many large, national retailers such as Wal-Mart, Sams
Club, Target, Dillards, Belk,
Staples, Walgreens and CVS
have locations in Aiken County.
Innumerable shopping centers
provide consumers with a multitude of goods and services.
Aiken also has a number of
unique small businesses supplying various special-interest communities here. Equine-themed
enterprises abound, including
feed stores, equestrian attire and
supply stores and a custom dressage saddle manufacturer.
Custom gift shops are also
popular. Locally owned shops
such as 3 Monkeys Fine Gifts,
Refresh and Cyndis Sweet
Shoppe in downtown Aiken
provide shoppers with a bevy
of unique accessories, artwork,

12

custom stationery, candies and

bridal registry options.
The well-dressed will wish
to visit some of the fine clothing stores in downtown Aiken.
Lionel Smith Ltd. has been
serving Aiken gentlemen since
1976. Charlottes Bridal Fashions
provides all-occasion formalwear for ladies and men. Parents
can also find special garments
for their little tykes at Pitter Patter Childrens Boutique.
Those looking for some additional sparkle can seek out any
number of locally owned jewelry
stores. Shoppers in Aiken can
visit Porky Bradberrys Jewelry,
Floyd & Green Jewelers, The
Jewelers Loupe or MB Jewelry
and Beads, the CSRAs largest
bead supply store. Stan Johnson Jewelers and Estate Jewelry
in North Augusta and Ryans
Jewelry in Beech Island also
have large selections to interest
anyone.
In Aiken County, the past
is never far behind us. We drive
down boulevards of ancient
oaks, re-enact Civil War battles
each February and view the
graceful antebellum homes
during our daily commutes. Is
it any wonder that we also have
a number of antique shops?
The latest addition, Bentleys
Antiques on Laurens Street
in Aiken, opened
in July 2014. Other
stores, such as Found
Treasures, Laurens
Street Antiques, York
Cottage Antiques and
Ridge Antiques and
Dry Goods provide
wonderful objects
and furniture to delight those interested

in any antique era.

The south side of Aiken
offers many family-owned businesses as well, from Unique
Expressions gift store owned by
the Browder family to Material
Things, an awesome fabric and
furniture store owned by Katy
Lipscomb. Many of these local
retailers are located in shopping
centers anchored by grocery
stores and other large retailers.
North Augustas family
owned businesses span from
downtown North Augusta all
the way to the Belvedere community. They are the lifeblood
of the community as well. The
Garrick family, owners of Just
Beds, is one of those businesses
successes in North Augusta,
along with many others.
The variety of businesses in
Aiken County can be attributed in part to support from
the Greater Aiken Chamber of
Commerce, which has almost
1,000 members. Accredited
by the U.S. Chamber of Com-

merce with five stars, our local

chapter works diligently to improve the business environment.
Each year, the chamber hosts a
State of our Community luncheon with speakers from Aiken
County Government, City of
Aiken Government, the public
school system and the business
community. The sold-out event
held at the USC Aiken Convocation Center in August 2014
focused on the future of business
in our community.
The Midland Valley Area
Chamber of Commerce works
hard with local businesses as
well.
North Augusta also has an
active Chamber of Commerce
which works with members
to ensure a positive business
attitude in the community and
enhances business-community
relationships.

and for

Banksia
At the end of South
Boundary, right at the edge of
Hitchcock Woods, is a beautiful white mansion perched
atop the hill. Surrounded by
a white-brick serpentine wall,
Banksia is one of the graceful,
sprawling mansions built in the
Winter Colony era.
Now home to the Aiken
County Historical Museum,
Banksia is named after the
Banksia rose. It was purchased
by retired executive Richard
Howe in 1931. The original

3,500-square-foot woodframed structure, the Harrington House, dates from the

1840s. Howe had the home
moved, and then commissioned a 14,000-square-foot
brick extension. Upon completion, the grand estate had 32
rooms, 15 bathrooms, a large
formal ballroom and spanned
3.5 acres.
After Howes death in 1943,
the house was sold by the estate
for $40,000. Used as a boarding house in the early 1950s,
it was repurposed as Southern
Methodist College until 1961.
Then-newly created University
of South Carolina Aiken made
its home at Banksia until the
early 1970s. The Aiken County

Protect
your world

Public Library opened its doors

there in 1973.
For 16 years the airy, highceilinged rooms of the first
floor held shelves of books,
magazines and encyclopedias for the readers of Aiken
County. The Aiken County
Historical Museum moved into
the wooden framed portion of
the house in 1984. When the
library moved to its present location on Chesterfield Street in
1989, it was an ideal opportunity for the museum to expand
into the lovely main rooms of
Banksia.
Today, the museum features
a number of exhibits including: The Winter Colony, the
History of Aiken County, Caro-

lina Bays, The Ladies of Aiken

County, the Military Exhibit,
the Palmetto Park and Pond
Exhibit and the Public Safety
Room with a bright red 1880s
steam-powered fire engine.
The museums many
exhibits pay tribute to the
rich history of the area and
are displayed in a way that
allows visitors to explore the
vast amount of information at
their own pace. Children are
welcome, and there are even
rooms specifically designated
for hands-on play.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from
2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free,
though donations are accepted.

Call me today to discuss your options.

      
       

 
 
  



 





 
 
 
 
        
    

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Life Retirement

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Andrew
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803-648-0767
803-648-0767
Andrew Siders, 803-648-0767
556 SILVER BLUFF RD
Aiken, SC 29803
andrewsiders@allstate.com
www.aikenallstate.com

Andrew Siders,
One agency for all your
insurance needs.
Insurance subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company,
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AS35-1202076

13

r
s

is for

Culture
In every vibrant community, work, innovation
and education must balance
with relaxation and entertainment. From ballet, music and
theater to museum exhibits,
Aiken County offers a variety
of cultural amenities suitable
for everyone.
The Aiken Civic Ballet
Company is the states longest
continuously operating dance
company. With two annual performances, including a
December presentation of the
Nutcracker, the ballet showcases the best of Aikens young
dance talent.
Aiken also has a unique
partnership with one of the
premier music conservatories
in the world. Juilliard in Aiken
is a week long event of public
performances, concerts and
classes that brings students
and faculty from the acclaimed
school into this community.
Juilliard students perform all
over the city, including in some
of the public schools, and extend the outreach of the arts to
people from all walks of life.
The Aiken Community
Playhouse, a nonprofit community theater, holds multiple performances throughout the year.
Volunteers produce plays and
musicals in their permanent
home at the URS Center for the
Performing Arts in downtown
Aiken. ACP is also a teaching
theater, dedicated to bringing
the gift of drama to members
of the community. Recent offerings include Music Man,
A Walk in the Woods and Its
A Wonderful Life.
The University of South

14

Carolina Aikens Etherredge

Center holds a cultural series
each year to bring a variety of
acts and performances to the
community. The diverse acts
this year include Lara St. John
& Marie-Pierre Langlamet,
Attacca Quartet, Orleans Six
Band and The Tempest.
The Aiken Performing
Arts Group is another nonprofit organization dedicated
to bringing quality professional
artists to Aiken. In addition to
musical, comedic and dramatic performances, the group
provides educational outreach
programs to students in Aiken.
Hopelands Gardens, a public city garden, brings the arts
to the outdoors with the Aiken
Recreation Departments annual Summer Concert Series.
Each Monday during the summer, visitors bring picnic blankets and beach chairs to enjoy
dancing, singing and music in
a beautiful grassy amphitheater
in the gardens.
The Aiken Center for the
Arts, located in downtown Aiken, is an arts education center
with juried shows and competitions, classes and lectures in
every discipline from music,
dance and film, to perform-

ing and fine arts. The ACA is

devoted to fostering partnerships for the growth of an arts
community.
In North Augusta, the Arts
and Heritage Center rotates
three exhibits and currently
features an exhibit on historical sites of North Augusta, the
Sno-Cap Drive-Ins 50th anniversary, a Jim Harrison exhibit
and an exhibition of clay artists
in the Southeast.
North Augusta also has
a Cultural Arts Council that
presents a Park Summer Concert Series in conjunction with
the City of North Augusta.
Held each Thursday evening
from May to July, the free

series features accomplished

performers at the Verandah at
the Maude Edenfield Park. The
council also features an annual
Camellia Show in March, theater and musical productions.
There are a number of other
musical and visual arts organizations that make culture in
all its many forms a significant part of the fabric of Aiken
County.
In their combined goal to
provide education in the arts
in Aiken County, the organizations here have succeeded
in creating a community of
culture and diversity with a
deep appreciation of the beauty
of the arts.

 



 
    
     


 



AS05-1203114

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AS20-1196989

15

is for

Dining
The link between Southern
hospitality and food is undeniable.
Tradition requires local
cooks to provide casseroles,
fried chicken and macaroni
and cheese at any celebration
or family gathering. Homebaked bread, warm chocolate
chip cookies and gooey fudge
brownies often find themselves
pressed into the willing hands of
neighbors and friends.
Fresh-picked veggies and
locally made jams and jellies
are passed around, and secret
recipes are shared all over the
county. That welcoming and gracious spirit extends to our local
eateries, as many natives and

16

transplants use their culinary

talents to provide the populace
with a wide variety of cuisines to
tempt the palate. Aiken County
is home to a wonderful selection
of locally owned delis, cafes and
diners.
Downtown Aiken is a
veritable smorgasbord of local
dining options. Check out La
Dolce Gourmet Bakery, Coffee
and Tea Bar for breakfast goodies like crepes and french toast
or lunchtime soups, sandwiches
and salads. Certified Tea Master
Lady Kelly MacVean offers traditional British tea time, as well
as the Chinese Tea Ceremony
with advance reservations.
Downtown offers everything
from awesome burgers and
the legendary hot dogs at City
Billiards, which now is offering
wonderful specials on seafood as
well. Casa Bella Italian is located
in one of Aikens refurbished
homes and offers ambience for
a night out on the town. New
downtown is the Speakeasy Eats,
where you need a password to
enter. The password is easy to
locate when you arrive to enjoy
great food and music.
You can find freshly roasted
coffee and delicious muffins,
baked goods and soups at New
Moon Cafe.
If you want history and an
amazing meal downtown, then
The Restaurant at the Willcox
would be an ideal choice. The
restaurant specializes in ambience and artfully prepared
cuisine that includes line-caught

fish, organic poultry, naturally farmed pork and Certified

Angus Beef brought to you by
generations of family farmers
and ranchers. All of this inside
of The Willcox Inn which has
a far-reaching reputation of
a Southern inn that was built
on its atmosphere, impeccable
service and excellent cuisine. Famous guests included Winston
Churchill, Harold Vanderbilt,
W.R. Grace, Elizabeth Arden
and Count Bernadotte of Sweden. Legend has it that Franklin Delano Roosevelt rode his
private train car to the back door
and slipped in quietly.
Other wonderful dining
options can be found strolling down The Alley one of
Aikens famous destinations for
food and fun in the heart of the
downtown business district.
Downtown is not the only
place for great restaurants in
Aiken. If you are looking for a
good start for your day, start
at Autens Family Restaurant
for a great homestyle Southern
breakfast. Known for their platesized pancakes, you wont leave
Autens with an empty stomach.
If all-natural health fare is
more your style, Noble Breads
stone mills their own grain,
offers locally farmed eggs, raw
milk and grass-fed South Carolina beef.
Aiken is richly blessed with
many authentic Italian restaurants that each offer their own
special taste of Italy. For over 31
years, Acropolis Pizza has been
feeding generations of Aiken
County residents the finest in
Greek and Italian food. Apizza
di Napoli has pizza made in the
traditional Neapolitan way in
a wood-fired oven that is the
centerpiece of the restaurant.
Marios Italian is one of Aikens
newer restaurants,
offering
everything
from veal
to seafood.
North
Augusta
has its
share of
wonderful
selections.
Manuels
Bread
Cafe,

located in the heart of the urbanist community of Hammonds

Ferry, is the local superstar of the
farm-to-table movement. The
cafe has a seasonally inspired
menu created by Chef Manuel
Verney-Carron, with organic
produce provided by the restaurants Blue Clay Farm. In addition to serving inspired French
dishes, the chef also bakes a
variety of pastries and breads.
Hammonds Ferry is also
home to Brick Pond Market,
which serves up homemade
soups, salads and sandwiches.
The market also offers convenience items and fresh produce
and dairy.
Many North Augusta residents love the traditions of two
beloved restaurants: The Old
MacDonald Fish Camp and the
Sno-Cap Drive In. Old MacDonalds is a great food adventure for
all ages, featuring traditional fish
camp fare such as hush puppies, fried fish and catfish stew.
The Sno-Cap is reminiscent of
a 1960s diner, featuring burgers, shakes, malts and banana
splits. Residents also recently
welcomed Deshawns Seafood,
which moved from Warrenville
to North Augusta.
The wonderful eateries of
Aiken County are not limited
to Aiken and North Augusta.
Graniteville is known for the
down-home flavors of the Red
Shed Diner, Blue Top Grill and
Chick-N-Snack. In Warrenville,
locals dine at Sawasdee and the
Midway Grill. In Wagener, you
will find Sues Grill and the Little
Bake Shoppe, serving some of
the finest fare the area has to
offer.
Juniper Restaurant, nestled
in the tiny town of Ridge Spring
just across the county line,
features exquisite fare from the
kitchen of Chef Brandon Velie,
who uses much locally grown
produce for his menus. Your
stomach will be delighted that
you took the short drive.
Our local menus are as rich
and diverse as the people who
created them. Take some time to
explore a local sandwich shop or
cafe. Spend an evening lingering
over a four-course meal. Stop
in and pick up a freshly baked
croissant or bagel. Grab a burger
and fries and dive in to a sinfully
delicious banana split.

is for

Equestrian
Aiken County has a great
love affair with horses. Street
signs in the city of Aiken
feature a handsome equine
silhouette, while life-sized
statues grace the busy sidewalks. People wearing riding
boots and jodhpurs mingle
with those in business suits
at local cafes. And, in the
horse district, many roads
are unpaved in deference to
the sensitive hooves of the

areas favorite animal.

The love of all things
equestrian can be traced to
Aikens unique history as a
Winter Colony, its ideal climate and location, perfect
sandy soil and good water.
Wealthy horse owners
flocked to the area in the
late 19th century to breed
and train their animals.
Modern enthusiasts still
raise animals here to compete in racing, jumping,
dressage, fox hunting and
polo, as well as for pleasure
riding.
The annual Triple
Crown festival often draws
tens of thousands of spectators over three consecutive
Saturdays in March. The
Aiken Trials features a series
of flat races for 2-year-old
horses in the first week.
The second week is the
Aiken Spring Steeplechase
sanctioned by the National
Steeplechase Association. It
is considered one of Aikens
largest social gatherings of
the year. A second steeplechase event is held each fall.
The final leg of the Triple
Crown is a polo match know
as Pacers and Polo that benefits USC Aikens Athletics
Department.
Polo made its Southern
debut on Aikens Whitney
Field.

See Equestrian, page 18

AS06-1201245

17

for many residents of the area.

This event kicks off the season,
during which there are weekly
hunts in the woods.
The Aiken Driving Club
also embraces the areas love
of horses. Founded in 1985,
the club boasts more than 200
members who enjoy monthly
EquEstrian...from page 17 gatherings of combined, pleasure and recreational carriage
Starting in 1882, the Aidriving. Members dressed in
ken Polo Club has held weekly
period attire often drive the
games during the spring and
carriages down city streets in a
fall. In the past decade, other
polo clubs have also risen to the quintessential display of equine
fellowship.
forefront of the sport. Aiken
North Augusta also falls
County now has 40 polo fields
into the equestrian vision of the
and nine clubs recognized by
county with the Hippodrome
the U.S. Polo Association.
that annually features several
Polo and racing are not the
Western horsing events.
only equestrian sports here,
Farms built for horses
however. For more than a cendot the countryside in Aiken
tury, fox hunts and drag hunts
Countys rural areas, and a
have been held in Hitchcock
Woods. The Aiken Hounds
hosts the nations second-oldest
drag hunt. Each Thanksgiving,
they hold the Opening Meet
and Blessing of the Hounds at
the Memorial Gate in Hitchcock
Woods a holiday tradition

E is for
Equestrian

18

number of residential developments have sprung up that cater

to the equestrian lifestyle.
Many factors make Aiken
County a wonderful place for
horses and their people, and
word is spreading. The Aiken
horse community continues to
grow as eventing, rodeo and
dressage become more popular
in the area.

1,080 square miles total

1,071.3 of land square mileage

20.7 City of Aiken square mileage

is for
Facts & Figures
Humid, subtropical climate
Average High 75.3
Average Low 52.2
Highest Maximum:
109 F on Aug. 22, 1983
Lowest Minimum:
-4 on Jan. 21, 1985
Rainfall 51 inches per year

20.03 City of North Augusta square mileage

3.28 Hitchcock Woods square mileage

TOP eMPLOYeRS*
SRNS..................................... 6,000
Public schools ..................... 3,312
Shaw Areva MOX ................. 2,800
SRR ....................................... 2,400
Kimberly Clark ..................... 1,250
ARMC .................................... 1,200
Bridgestone America ............. 930
AGY .......................................... 770

Aiken Countys major crops are cotton, corn, Bermuda grass, hay,
soybeans, timber and peaches. Other crops include peanuts, small
grains and watermelons. Beef cattle, hogs, chickens and horses are
the most common farm animals.

Aiken County Pop

164,176

(2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate)

2.5% population growth

since 2010
High school
graduate or higher
(percent of persons age
25+) 84.4%
Bachelors degree
or higher (percent
of persons age 25+)
23.9%
Median household
income $44,399
Homeownership
rate 73.2%

City of Aiken Pop

30,296

(2013 US Census Bureau estimate)

City of North Augusta

Pop 22,229
(2013 US Census Bureau estimate)

* ACCORdiNG TO THe AiKeN

CHAMBeR OF COMMeRCe

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Pat Cunning, Broker-In-Charge
1419 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, SC 29803 | (803) 643-1899 | www.Woodside-Aiken.com
AS35-1202073

19

is for

Growing

A birds eye view of Aiken

County shows a sinuous network of thin, grey lines carving
through large patches of verdant,
green fields. On the street level,
you see lush vegetation, rolling
hills, vast meadows, thriving
orchards and wooded lots with
towering pines. Even densely
populated areas have wide
parkways with beautiful flowers
and native bushes. Everything, it
seems, grows in Aiken County.
Historically, cotton was Aikens largest cash crop. The arrival
of the railroad in 1833 enabled
farmers and plantation owners
to move their harvest quickly
from field to market. After the
Civil War, cotton production
declined as farmers tried
different crops. Aiken was
a major asparagus producer during the early
half of the 20th century,
but saw a decline around
World War II.
Today, Aiken County still has
more than 154,000
acres designated as
farmland. According
to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture 2012 Census of

Agriculture, there are

1,102 farms in Aiken
County, with a market
value of agricultural
products sold of more
than $96 million.
Crops, including
nursery and greenhouse crops, produce
$15.7 million, while
the remaining $80.6
million is produced
by livestock, poultry
and their products.
See Growing, page 21

12
20

AS07-1202505

Certied
Residential
Specialist

Visit Ridge Spring

is for

Growing

Join Us. We Are Looking

Forward To Seeing You.

GrowinG...from page 20
Poultry production is the
largest segment of farming here.
Chickens for meat, laying hens,
turkeys, ducks and geese bring
in more than $76 million, with
an astounding 3,697,972 broilers
and other meat chickens sold in
2012.
With the bulk of farm production coming from animals, it
makes sense that a large portion
of acreage is also dedicated to
growing hay, grass and greenchop for feed. Its estimated
that 15,493 acres in Aiken are
designated for growing these
foraging materials, producing
45,611 tons each year.
Some of the major grain
crops include corn, winter
wheat, oats and sorghum.
Soybeans are big business as
well, with an estimated 4,112
acres planted with the versatile
legume. Cotton, while no longer
king of the cash crops, is still
important, and Aiken County
has 4,727 acres planted. There
are also five peanut farms here
producing 1,844,307 pounds of
peanuts yearly.

While commercial farms,

nurseries and orchards produce
the bulk of farmed inventory in
Aiken, there are also many small
family farms that grow a variety
of vegetables and fruits. The
Aiken County Farmers Market,
located at 115 Williamsburg
St. in downtown Aiken, has
operated at its current location
since 1954. Housed in a shaded
structure with tables built by
farmers and their families, the
market is open Monday through
Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There, shoppers can find fresh
peaches, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, squash, peanuts, onions
and plums, as well as a variety of
homemade jams and jellies.

Ridge Spring invites you to take a break to

come and enjoy the wonderful small town

experience. Enjoy small town hospitality as you
visit the unique shops and restaurants. As weve
heard so many times before, Its not something
you can bottle and its not something you can
buy off the shelf. Its a feeling you get
when you visit Ridge Spring.

Schedule of Events
Market on the Ridge .................................. 4th Saturday in March
Magnolia Ridge Antique and Art Gathering...3rd Saturday in May
Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale ............. 1st Friday and Saturday in June
Farmers Market .................... Every Saturday June thru Labor Day
Harvest Festival......................................4th Weekend in October
Christmas on the Square ........................1st Sunday in December
Shops of Ridge Spring Open House....2nd Weekend in December
Christmas Open House ....................... 2nd Weekend in December
Christmas Tour of Homes..................... 2nd Sunday in December
For tours
and more
information,
contact the
Welcome Center
at Cumbee Place
401 E. Main St.
803-685-0410

friendsofridgespring.com

AS20-1196993

21

is for

History
Here in Aiken, we are often
focused on hopes for the future.
Visitors will soon find, however, that the culture here is
deeply rooted in the past. Aiken
County was established in 1871
by combining portions of Edgefield, Orangeburg, Lexington
and Barnwell counties. Covering 1,073 square miles, Aiken
County is centrally located between the Blue Ridge Mountains
and the coast and is bordered by
the Savannah River.
Aikens initial growth and
success were due in large part to
the development of the railroad.
The Charleston-Hamburg line
was completed in 1833, and the
City of Aiken was incorporated
in 1835. The rails took locally
grown cotton to Charleston, and
brought Lowcountry res-

22

idents back to the

Midlands for healthful restoration in the pines. In those
days, Aiken was largely agrarian, growing cotton on large
farms and plantations. James
Henry Hammond was one of
the wealthiest planters in the
area. He had five plantations,
including Redcliffe in Beech Island, which is now state-owned
and open to the public.
Development was furthered
through the extraordinary
vision of William Gregg, a
Charleston merchant. He built
the Graniteville Mill in 1848
and designed a town to house
the workers. He provided housing, schools and churches to his
workers to create a successful
community. The company expanded and grew, even weathering the difficult storms of the
Civil War.
Just months before the end
of the Civil War, Gen. Sherman
sent a detachment toward Aiken. Blackville

and Barnwell were burned on

their march, and the troops
set their sights on destroying the Charleston-Hamburg
railroad line. On Feb. 11, 1865,
Union Gen. Judson Kilpatrick
met Confederate Gen. Joseph
Wheeler on Richland Avenue,
and the Battle of Aiken ensued.
The Confederate general had the
advantage of surprise, and the
Union troops retreated. It was to
be the last Confederate victory
of the war.
During Reconstruction,
Aikens Highland Park Hotel
began attracting wealthy visitors
around 1870. The illustrious
hotel allowed Aiken to gain
fame as a health resort, which
was the beginning of the Winter
Colony period. Visitors to the
area enjoyed the elite hospitality

of the Willcox Inn, the Highland Park Hotel and the Park in
the Pines Hotel.
In 1890, two brothers, Walter
M. and James U. Jackson, had a
vision to build a city on the remains of the town of Hamburg
directly across the river from
Augusta, Georgia. Their vision
gave birth to the North Augusta
Land Co., which purchased the
land and began to design the
town of North Augusta. Within
10 years, the company had built
a steel bridge to Augusta and
connected Aiken with Augusta
via trolley line.
North Augusta benefited
greatly from the sumptuous
luxury accommodations of the
Hampton Terrace Hotel.
See History, page 23

H is for
History
History...from page 22
Visited by members of
the Rockefeller and Firestone families, the hotel also
attracted the attention of
other well-to-do Northerners. Like the Highland Park
Hotel in 1898 and the Park
in the Pines Hotel in 1913,
the Hampton Terrace Hotel
burned in 1916.
Louise Hitchcock attributed some of the success
of the Winter Colony to
the fiery destruction of the
Highland Park Hotel in 1898.
In a 1929 article, she wrote
that the fires forced yearly
visitors to buy houses instead
of renting suites. She stated,
When people own their own
homes they take a renewed
and intensified interest in
a community. Thus, Aiken
and North Augusta became
more than a playground for
the very wealthy and benefited greatly from the philanthropic nature of their winter
guests.
Thomas and Louise Hitchcock were major contributors
in Aiken. They, along with
William Whitney, bought
up most of the acreage that
now comprises Hitchcock
Woods. They also introduced
their equestrian friends to
the loamy soils of Aiken and
promoted polo, fox hunting and thoroughbred horse
racing to the area. Notable
families such as the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and
Bostwicks spent their winters
here. The leisure sports that
amused the wealthy winter

visitors remain vital pieces of

Aikens cultural heritage and
current economic makeup.
The winter colonists had
an enormous impact on
Aiken Countys development.
Following World War II,
the number of yearly visitors dwindled, and the local
economy was in danger of
stagnation. The United States
Atomic Energy Commission
made an announcement
in 1950
that would
forever
alter the
economic
and social
base here.
They announced
that 310
square
miles of
Aiken,
Allendale and
Barnwell
counties
would be
converted to
government use for a thermonuclear weapons fuel
plant. Though the area was
sparsely populated, people
in the towns of Ellenton and
Dunbarton were required to
relocate. In all, almost 6,000
people sold their land to the
government.
The area became known
as the Savannah River Plant,
later renamed the Savannah River Site. A total of
five reactors, a fuel fabrication facility, two separation
plants, a tritium facility and a
heavy water separation plant
were built. The project was
the largest single construction job undertaken by the
Atomic Energy Commission.
The site produced tritium and
plutonium to make nuclear
weapons.
With the arrival of the
Savannah River Site, Aiken
County became home to
many scientists, researchers
and laboratory workers. From
1950 to 1960, the population
of Aiken County increased
more than 58 percent.
Though the pace of
growth slowed somewhat in
the following decades, Aiken

County experienced a steady

influx of people and industry
from the 1950s onward. As
manufacturing investments
increased, so did the need
for skilled workers. Institutions such as the
University of
South Carolina Aiken
and Aiken
Technical
College

were built to provide a knowledgeable labor force.

Over the years, Aiken
County has attracted people
from all backgrounds and
walks of life. Often they come
to work or visit. Some come for
relaxation and recreation.
Regardless of the reason,
many realize the wonderful quality of life here
and choose to stay and
become a part of the
history of tomorrow.

      



 

  

   
   
    

   

   
 

 

    
 

AS07-1202507

23

Discover

Aiken

Historic Downtown

It good
Its
d to
t nd
d a small
ll city
it lled
ll d with
ith
th
h charm
h
and
d
gracious living, and a downtown imbued with
remarkable shops and restaurants. In an age
when downtown usually means down-and-out,
Aikens business district is alive and ourishing.

Restaurant
& Spa
R
open daily
WWW.THEWILLCOX.COM

AS04-1202055

Rates starting
at $189

100 COLLETON AVE, SW

SW, AIKEN 803.648.1898

Come join us in Downtown Aiken today!

Aiken Downtown Development Association
208 A The Alley
Aiken, South Carolina 29801
(803) 649-2221

Scarlett says Stop in for breakfast, lunch,

tasty treats or afternoon tea...
we have some great gifts, too!



  

  




123 Laurens St. NW, Aiken, SC 803-335-1440

info@ladolce-aiken.com http://ladolce-aiken.com

AS04-1202025

Serving old-fashion diner

fare and ice cream treats
in downtown Aiken
Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
159 Laurens St. NW
Corner of Laurens & Barnwell

Aiken

SPEAKEASY

803.226.0078

http://www.betsysonthecorner.com

& EATS

Step back in time

and indulge in
a by-gone era of
Casual Fun, Elegant
Beverages, and Fine
Dining.
126 Laurens St., SW
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 226-0147
www.aikensspeakeasyeats.com

AS04-1202074

   

   

AS04-1202031

See our
menu on

AS04-1202125

  

        
 
     
  
 

405 Hayne Ave.

Aiken
649-4565

24

    

 


 
  
 
   
  
   

       

  
   
  
   
  
  

AS04-1202020

      

    
AS04-1202005

Hours:
Tue., Wed., & Fri.
11-4
Sat. 11-3

AS04-12

Shops, Restaurants,
Art, Antiques & More!
Jewelry by local artist
145 Laurens Street SW
Aiken, SC 803.502.0200

a contemporary jewelry
gallery, southern art and a
jumble of art-full gifts

Bismuth
AS04-1202022

Aiken Chamber of
Commerce

137 laurens st. sw

downtown aiken
803.649.9663
mon-fri 10-5:30; sat 10-5
www.refreshaiken.com

AS04-1202016

Sculptured
Copper

141 Laurens Street SW

Aiken, SC 29801

803.648.7592

AS04-1202009

AS04-1213144

133 Laurens St. NW

Downtown Aiken
Hours: Wed.-Thurs. 10-5;
Fri. 10-6; Sat. 11-3

M-F 10am - 6pm | Sat 10am - 5pm

3monkeysaiken.com

Sometimes You Need a Little Help at Home...

AS04-1202040

meals errands housekeeping companionship

       


     
 

213 Laurens St. Aiken, SC 29801 803-643-4200

BeWellHomeServices.org
AS04-1202051

Offering Independent Living Apartments and Assisted Living Services

213 Laurens St. Aiken, SC 29801

Contact Heather Brazell 803-643-4200
outreach@TrinityOnLaurens.org TrinityOnLaurens.org

25

AS04-1202766

is for

Industry

Industrial investment in Aiken

County is synonymous with the
name of wealthy Charleston merchant William Gregg, who built
the first successful cotton mill in
Graniteville in the late 1840s. Soon
after, other companies began to study
the area for potential industrial sites.
After the Civil War, progress of new
manufacturing was delayed by the
chaos and disorder of Reconstruction, but the mill in Graniteville
survived, and new textile mills were
built in the upstate. Aikens economy,
however, remained chiefly focused
on agriculture.
In the 1950s, the Atomic Energy
Commission began work on what is
now called the Savannah River Site.
Although the Site does not represent manufacturing in the conventional sense, it was the impetus for
industrial growth in Aiken County
in the decades that followed. Scores
of well-educated scientists, researchers and engineers moved to the area.
The increase in education levels
and average income had a profound
effect on the economy, and manufacturers began to see Aiken Countys
potential.
An educated labor force and
large swaths of undeveloped land
conveniently located close to rail
lines, waterways and interstates
gradually began to attract industry.
The 1960s brought such companies as Owens Corning, Shaw
Industries and Kimberly-Clark Corp.
Local enterprises thrived, as well, as
Southeastern Tool and Aiken Industries opened their doors. Among the
companies that came in the 1970s
were Trantech Radiator Products,
GlaxoSmithKline and R.E. Phelon
(now Fenix Manufacturing Solutions). Halocarbon, Southern Felt
and BAE Systems were some of the
companies to build in the 1980s.
The 1990s was a significant
turning point in the development
of major industry in the area. Linde
Industrial Gases arrived, the Graniteville Manufacturing Co. was sold to
Avondale Mills and Bridgestone-

26

Firestone announced a $435 million

investment in a new tire plant. The
Bridgestone investment heralded a
new age of manufacturing, where
Aiken County would become increasingly attractive to new industry.
Since 2000, new investments
and the expansion of existing businesses have brought $3.4 billion to
the area. The success of attracting
more industry here can be substantially attributed to the efforts of the
Economic Development Partnership, a unique economic alliance
between Aiken, Edgefield and Saluda counties. Founded in 1984 as a
nonprofit organization representing
Aiken County, it joined forces with
Edgefield County in 1987, and then
with Saluda County in 2014. The
partnership acts as a single point of
contact for businesses interested in
new development and works to raise
the per capita income, diversify the
labor force and increase the tax base
in our community.
The EDP is not the only entity
working to attract industrial investment. The Aiken County Council is
also committed to improving conditions for both residents and prospective business partners. Aiken County
Administrator Clay Killian suggests
that a positive sense of community is
something potential investors seek.
He said, One of the things a company wants to know is, What does
the community feel about itself? Do
they feel good? In his estimation,
the new Aiken County Government
Center, located at 1930 University
Parkway, is a symbol of the hope and
prosperity for the future. We are a
growing, progressive community that
people should be proud of, he said.
Aiken County boasts more than
50 individual companies producing products as diverse as glassfiber
yarns, specialty chemicals and
coatings, solenoid valves, tires and
diapers. Aiken County has four
industrial parks with established infrastructure. Verenes and Venture industrial parks are owned by the City
of Aiken, while the City of North
Augusta has the North Augusta
Industrial Park. Aiken Countys Sage
Mill Industrial Park has a hydrogen
fuel station in addition to water,
sewer, natural gas and electricity. The
station is used to power hydrogen
fuel cell forklifts.
Will Williams, director of the
Economic Development Partnership,
believes that Aiken is in a good position for continued growth and capital
investment. The current members
of our industrial community are all
doing well, he said. A large majority
of our new capital investment has
come from existing industry. We like
the new companies coming in, but
really appreciate it when our existing
companies expand.
Looking forward, the partner-

ship is focused on bringing more

businesses to the Sage Mill Industrial
Park, developing a new industrial
park and having existing industries
continue to grow.
Partnerships among the University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken
Technical College and local companies also are helping to attract
more young people to manufacturing careers. The Industrial
Mechanic Basic Apprenticeship in
partnership with MTU
and the
Technical
Scholars program at
Aiken
Tech are
two
examples
of industry
education
initiatives
that will help
expand the skilled labor market.
Higher education leaders also
are working with the local school
district to expose middle and high
school guidance counselors to
the needs of area manufacturers. Williams encourages young
people to think about working
in industry, as the average annual
pay in Aiken County for a manufacturing career is $59,000.

Bridgestone Americas, Aiken County

2006 Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

AS12-1210548

is for

Jackson
Jackson is one of the many unique
small towns in Aiken County. With an
estimated population of 1,700, the Town
of Jackson is close to the Savannah River
Site, which also provides a great portion
of the populace with employment.
Historically, Jackson was the home
of Capt. Roy Moyer, who trained the
famous Albert the Lion in the 1930s.
Moyer was also a gamecock breeder, who
bred the mascot of the University of South Carolina, Duke the
Gamecock.
The Town of Jackson prides
itself on being a small, welcoming community. It is conveniently
close to larger shopping and retail
centers, yet far enough removed
to avoid the hectic city life.
Jackson is near the Crackerneck Wildlife Management
Area and Ecological Reserve,
which is managed by the

South Carolina Department of Natural

Resources. The area is periodically open
to the public for fishing, hunting, exploring and bird watching and contains a
50-mile road system.
Visitors can also enjoy the Silver
Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary.
The center is situated on 3,000 acres
along the Savannah River and features
walking trails and bountiful wildlife. The
staff offers specialized programming and
tours that make the area a popular K-12
field trip destination.
Just outside of Jackson, in neighboring Beech Island, is Redcliffe Plantation
State Park. Redcliffe, once the home of
famed cotton plantation owner James
Henry Hammond, features the large
mansion, built in 1859, as well as external
slave quarters. Tour guides use the grand
residence and minimalist slave shelters as
comparative talking points to discuss the
history of South Carolina.

Juilliard in Aiken
&
is a unique partnership
between the community of
Aiken and the preeminent
school of music, dance
and drama, known as The
Juilliard School. The association began in 2009 and
is a weeklong event during
which students and faculty
of the school stay in Aiken to
give performances, concerts and master
classes. Juilliard students also perform
in the local public schools to promote
the arts for younger members of the
community.
The 2014 performance schedule

for

included choral workshops

for local choir directors,
performances by Triptych
Percussion Ensemble,
Juilliard415, the historical
instruments ensemble and
the Choir of Trinity Wall
Street.
The educational value
of this partnership knows
no bounds, as the people of
Aiken are exposed to an ever-increasing
variety of artistic performances. Each
year, the schedule includes more outreach programs for our youth, as well as
more opportunities for the community
to expand its cultural horizons.

Juilliard

We welcome you to experience our hospitality

of Jackson and visit the local sites to include:
the Audubon Society, Jarrett Rifle Museum,
Cracker Neck Wildlife Preserve, the Carolina
Dragway in Jackson and Redcliffe State Park.
A safe haven far enough away from the
hustle and bustle of the big cities but
close enough to be able to go and get
what you need. Jackson, South Carolina
Conveniently located between
North Augusta, Augusta and Aiken
AS12-1188853

P.O. Box 1708, Aiken, SC 29802 | 803.641.3300 | www.edpsc.org

For more information, contact

Will Williams, President/CEO
wwilliams@edpsc.org

AS06-1203181

Aiken
South Carolina

27

CENTERS and SERVICES

AURORA PAVILION BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Help for mental illness or substance abuse is close to home. We provide individualized assessment
and inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults, children, adolescents and seniors who have
behavioral, emotional and substance abuse problems.
Location: 655 Medical Park Drive, ARMC campus
803-641-5900

BARIATRIC SURGERY
Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery can work wonders with long-term weight-loss and
management necessary to live a longer and healthier life. We offer laparoscopic sleeve
gastrectomy surgery. Our comprehensive approach includes preoperative counseling,
support groups and nutritional counseling.
Location: ARMC Main Building, 1st oor
803-641-5751

CANCER CARE INSTITUTE OF CAROLINA

High-quality cancer treatment is available right here in Aiken. The Cancer Care Institute of Carolina
offers integrated cancer treatment and advanced technology in a comfortable facility. The Institute
is one-of-a-kind in the CSRA, offering both radiation oncology and hematology/oncology services,
plus support services for cancer patients and their families.
Location: 111 Miracle Drive, ARMC campus
803-641-7850

CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE OF CAROLINA

Look no further than the Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional for advanced cardiac
care. The cardiology staff provides patients with individualized treatment plans that can include
diagnostic testing, medication, surgery and rehabilitation. The Cardiovascular Institute also offers
health screenings and education to help you stay heart-healthy.
Location: 5th Floor, ARMC main building
803-641-5280

DIABETES AND NUTRITION TEACHING CENTER

Both adult and pediatric patients receive nutritional education, disease-specic self-management
sessions and constant reinforcement through personal patient contact. The American Diabetes
Association recognizes the education service of the Diabetes and Nutrition Teaching Center as
meeting the national standard for diabetes self-management education. We are board certied in
pediatric and adolescent nutrition and weight management, renal nutrition management and diabetes
self-management.
Location: 440 Society Hill Drive, Suite 204, Aiken
803-293-0023

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
You can rely on the Emergency Department at Aiken Regional for 24/7 care provided by boardeligible and board-certied physicians. We focus on making your emergency department experience
as smooth as possible, with patient-friendly bedside registration and a commitment to low wait times.
Were prepared with our helipad to get you here as quickly as possible.
Location: Emergency entrance, ARMC main campus

JOINT AND SPINE CENTER

Patients who have had total hip or knee replacement surgery will nd specialized care here.
A week-long recovery plan includes the patients physician, nurses, physical therapists, coach
and case manager. By participating in group therapy in addition to individualized therapy sessions,
patients benet from sharing their experience with others.
Location: 4th Floor, ARMC main building
803-641-5470

28

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

AS09-1185380

LABORATORY SERVICES

The laboratory at Aiken Regional Medical Centers has four locations.

Laboratory at ARMC | Location: First Floor | 803-641-5165
Outpatient Services at ARMC* | Location: First Floor near the Emergency Department
Southside Medical Services*| Location: 430 Society Hill Drive, Aiken (At Southside Imaging Center)
803-641-5166 & 641-5059
Northside Drawing Station* | Location: 410 University Parkway, Suite 1520, Aiken | 803-641-2114
*On-site registration available

THE NEUROSCIENCE CENTER

This center provides evaluation, management and treatment of neurological disorders on an inpatient
and outpatient basis. We provide in-ofce treatment for many chronic neurologic disorders as well as
on-site EMG testing.
Location: 100 Aurora Place, Suite 300
803.226.0130

PALMETTO PEDIATRIC CENTER

Palmetto Pediatric Center provides inpatient and outpatient services for infants, children and adolescents.
Children can get routine healthcare as well as care when theyre sick. Inpatient services include the newborn
nursery and inpatient admissions. Pediatric inpatient services are located on the hospitals 4th oor.
Location: 60 Physician Drive, ARMC campus
803-641-KIDS

SLEEP EVALUATION CENTER

Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? The Sleep Evaluation Center can help. Patients undergo
sleep studies that gather data on how you breathe and sleep, which can help your physician identify a
sleep disorder and determine treatment options.
Location: 3rd Floor, ARMC main building
803-641-5370

SOUTHSIDE IMAGING CENTER

Residents of Aikens southside now have convenient access to advanced diagnostic services, including
digital mammography, open MRI, multislice CT scans, ultrasound and other services.
Location: 430 Society Hill Drive, Aiken (The Village at Woodside)
803-502-5020

THE VEIN CENTER

Healthy legs can mean a healthier life. The Vein Center at Aiken Regional offers several procedures to
treat venous disease, including sclerotherapy, ligation/phlebectomy and VNUS Closure.
Location: 2nd Floor, ARMC main building
803-641-5544

WOMENS LIFECARE CENTER

The Womens LifeCare Center is a source of knowledge, care and comfort for women of all ages.
Services include gynecologic care, breast surgery, treatment of menopause and osteoporosis, estrogen
replacement therapy and more. The childbirth center gives newborns and their parents a strong start in
life, with advanced clinical expertise and warm, personal attention.
Location: 2nd Floor, ARMC campus
803-641-5800

WOMENS LIFECARE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

A range of diagnostic services in one location can help make a womans healthcare more manageable.
Services include mammography, bone densitometry, stereotactic breast biopsy and routine X-rays.
And we have all-digital mammography for faster, more comprehensive results.
Location: 400 Medical Park Drive, ARMC campus
803-641-5065

WOUND HEALING INSTITUTE OF CAROLINA

If you have a wound or sore that has not begun to heal within a month, the Wound Healing Institute of
Carolina can help. We offer some of the most advanced wound care therapies available today, including
hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The institutes specially trained staff tailor a treatment plan to your specic needs.
Location: 100 Aurora Place, ARMC campus
803-643-2090
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

AS09-1185383

29

Knowledge
K

Aiken County is always growing

and changing, and the public school
system here is dedicated to providing our young people with the
knowledge and skills they need to
survive in a dynamic society. New
opportunities come through education, and the Aiken County Public
School District provides instruction
to almost 25,000 students.
The school system here has
41 schools, including seven high
schools, 10 middle schools, 20
elementary schools, three charter
schools and a career center. Together, the schools serve 93 percent
of the school-aged children in the
county. These students take part in a
wide variety of grant-funded model
programs that focus on the arts, science and physical education, as well
as traditional core subjects.
A number of schools here have
been recognized both statewide and
nationally as outstanding centers of
education. Hammond Hill Elementary received a Palmettos Finest and
a Blue Ribbon School Award. South
Aiken High School was named to
the Americas Best High Schools
list by Newsweek.
Aiken County pupils also
consistently score higher than the
state average on both the SAT and
the ACT. The school district is
also proud of its 1,541 teachers, of
whom 57.3 percent hold a masters
degree or higher.
Private educational
institutions offer
pupils additional
prospects. From
preschool to grade
12, students can
choose from any
number of private
options, including
schools with faith-

30

AS35-1202078

is for

based curriculum. St. Mary Help of

Christians School, Mead Hall Episcopal School, South Aiken Baptist
Christian School and Midland Valley Christian Academy are among
the largest of the church-affiliated
schools in the area.
Whether they earn their high
school degrees at a public or private
institution, Aiken County graduates are able to continue their education locally. Aiken Technical College is a public two-year technical
institution of higher learning offering associates degrees, certificates
and training for recent graduates,
as well as continuing education
classes for the local workforce. ATC
has allowed thousands of local
students the opportunity to receive
training essential to place them in
the workforce, as well as providing
many with credits transferable to
four-year colleges and universities.
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, four-year university that has ranked among the
top three public regional colleges
in the South for the past 17 years in
U.S. News and World Reports guide
Americas Best Colleges. The university offers four-year degrees and
masters degrees in 47 programs of
study. The 3,200 students get the
benefit of a full college experience,
including residence halls, Division
II college athletics and a comfortable, safe campus.

   

  

     
 



 
 









 

  

 

















        
AS07-1202487

31

is for

Lobster
Races
L

& Local
Festivals
You didnt read that wrong

we celebrate some strange things

here in Aiken County, and crustacean cruising is one of them!
The Great American Lobster
Race is held annually in downtown Aiken each May. And yes,
the lobsters actually
race. With Aiken
being involved
in horse racing,
this spin-off of
the noble sport
was created as
another way to
celebrate spring
and support local charities.
Of
course,
there

is more to the
Lobster Races
than one crustacean trying to get
to the end of his
tank before his
chums. Festival attendees enjoy food,
music and small
carnival rides for
children.
This is one of the
many celebrations
held in the area to
promote products of
the county as well as
organizations that do good work
within the community.
Salley holds the Chitlin Strut
every November, with proceeds
benefiting the town budget. Tens
of thousands have been known
to drive from miles around to
participate in this unique event
that touts the interesting flavor of
fried hog intestines.
The Ridge Peach Festival
is held annually in Trenton, a
stones throw from the county
line in adjacent Edgefield
County.
St. Mary Help of Christians
Catholic Church in Aiken holds
a Chocolate Festival each year, St.
Thaddeus Episcopal Church has
its annual Strawberry Festival
and St. Johns United Methodist
Church has its Apple Fest.
See Lobster, page 33

Member of the

American Academy
of Pediatric Dentistry
www.aapd.org

This symbol verifies that the pediatric dentist listed has completed
requirements of the American Dental Association to permit
announcement as Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry.

Rocky L. Napier, DMD

Pediatric Dentist

Every time you request our Pink Tow Truck, Waynes

will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society!

askpatty.com

143 Trafalgar Street SW, Aiken, SC

803.641.1000

Every child should have

their 1st dental visit no later
than 12 months of age.
Specializing in infants,
toddlers and small children.

1997 Richland Ave. E Aiken, SC 29801

1-855-4WAYNES waynesautomotivecenter.com

32

AS02-1203113

AS20-1202083

Lobster
Races
& Local
Festivals
Lobster...from page 32

All three events, and many

other church-related festivals, are
supported community-wide and
raise funds for local and worldwide
missions.
Aikens Makin is a two-day
craft fair held in the parkways of
downtown Aiken each September.

Fest over three weekends in March

each year. The festival celebrates the
glorious spring season with an art
competition, parties, teas, tours of
historic areas and a camellia show.
The Olde Town Artisans Fair
is another yearly celebration held
in North Augusta. Located in the
Living History Park in the beautiful
downtown area, the fair highlights
the refined skills of local artisans
and gives craftsmen an opportunity to display their creations and
demonstrate their skills.
Many other festivals, carnivals
and community gatherings fill
out the calendar as those in Aiken
County know how to enjoy a wide
variety of cultural events that
celebrate the inner makings of the
place they call home.

Tattersall Group
www.tattersallgroup.com

Karl McMillan

Located six miles and ten

easy minutes from downtown
Aiken, South Carolina, Tods Hill
presents a new opportunity for
those who love land, horses,
and Aiken living. You can ride
for hours on private scenic
trails, yet be in the social
scene in minutes.
The RE/MAX Tattersall Group
is one of only a dozen RE/MAX
  
worldwide. Led by Karl McMillan
a seasoned developer, realtor
and horseman the Tattersall
Group is highly skilled at
matching riders of all
disciplines to just the right
equestrian property.

Karl McMillan

803.693.6115
karlmcmillan@remax.net

120 Laurens St. NW

803-226-0036
     
 



 

AS07-1202511

is for

The juried show features crafters

from near and far who display
their wares for the thousands of
shoppers. It is sponsored by the
Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce.
The City of New Ellenton hosts
the Atomic City Festival in the fall,
featuring historical memorabilia
from the Town of Ellenton, as well
as craft and food vendors.
The City of Aiken sponsors
a Christmas Craft Show each
December at the H. Odell Weeks
Activities Center.
North Augusta hosts the Jacko-lantern Jubilee each fall, featuring, of course, orange pumpkins
identifiable with the season.
The North Augusta Cultural
Arts Council also holds a Spring

33

is for

Midland
Valley

The Midland Valley area is a region

within Aiken County that is made
up mostly of small, unincorporated
communities. Midland Valley includes
Graniteville, Gloverville, Vaucluse,
Langley, Bath, Clearwater and the
Town of Burnettown.
These communities have joined

& for

Monetta
Hovering on the border between
Aiken and Saluda counties, Monetta is
a small town in the northwestern part
of Aiken County. Often associated with
its neighbor, Ridge Spring, which is
located within Saluda County, Monetta
is the largest community in that area.
According to local legend, Monetta
was established along an old Cherokee
Indian path. The chiefs much-loved
daughter, Monetta, is purported to be
buried in the middle of the town.
Monetta is surrounded by fertile
farmland. Watsonia farms, run by the
Jerrold A. Watson family, has harvested
crops in the area since 1918. The
farm is noted for using cutting-edge
technology and farming practices, and
it holds Organic Certification from the

forces to create their own Chamber

of Commerce and also make up their
own fire districts.
Also known as the Horse Creek
Valley, Midland Valley is situated
between the cities of Aiken and Augusta along the Horse Creek, a small
tributary of the Savannah River. It was
Horse Creek that initially attracted
industrialists to Aiken County, as it
was identified as a good power source
for mills.
Midland Valley was historically important as a location for kaolin mines,
paper mills, pottery factories and textile
mills. Today, many of the old mill locations have been re-purposed into new
production facilities.
The Midland Valley area is home
to several educational facilities, including Aiken Technical College, Midland
Valley High School, Byrd Elementary
School, Langley-Bath-Clearwater and
Leavelle McCampbell middle schools.
Langley Pond is a county-operated
recreational facility that caters to those
who love to be on or near the water.

The facility has also been used as a

training site for competitive rowing
teams.

Clemson University Department of

Plant Industry and the USDA National
Organic Program. Currently, the farm
produces organic squash, cucumbers,
bell peppers, asparagus, eggplant,
tomatoes, sweet potatoes, collards,
peaches, strawberries and plums.
Historically, Monetta was an
important asparagus production

center, and it was once known as the

Asparagus Capital of the World.
Monetta is also known for its
drive-in theater, the Big Mo. In operation for more than 60 years, the Big
Mo is a popular weekend entertain-

ment destination for people from

Aiken to Columbia. With reasonable
ticket prices and current movie double
features on different fields, it offers an
affordable and genial way for locals to
enjoy movies under the stars.

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with
this ad

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Toll Free 866-494-8988

www.enloeresidential.com

34

AS02-1199845

North
Augusta
Perched on the banks of the
Savannah River, North Augusta has
a rich and storied history. Located
on the remains of three previous settlements, Savannah Town,
Campbell Town and Hamburg,
North Augusta protects the best of
its historic character as it plans for
the needs of a modern, growing
city.
The areas first settlement,
Savannah Town, was named for the
Savannah Indians. Dating back to
1685, the area was a major trading
post for the Creeks, Choctaws,
Chickasaws and Lower Cherokee.
The town was annexed into the
New Windsor Township around
1730, but declined in use and
popularity when Augusta,
Georgia, was founded in
1735.
Around 1770, John
Hammond established a
new trading post called Campbell
Town. Tobacco, furs and Native
American wares were traded,
and the town enjoyed success for

York to design the city. He obtained

the financial backing necessary to
build a new steel bridge to Augusta
(the Georgia Avenue/13th Street
bridge). Jackson also built the
Hampton Terrace Hotel, which
was noted for its luxurious accommodations and served the
Winter Colony guests until it was
destroyed by fire in 1916.
The loss of the hotel was not
a death knell for the city, however. Incorporated in 1906, North
Augusta was supported by the
13th Street bridge and a trolley
line that connected it with Aiken
and other towns in the area. The
town continued to grow, eventually
annexing more territory in 1951 as
the population expanded.
See NA, page 37

Tattersall Group
www.tattersallgroup.com

Weve discovered
Aiken has it all!

Stables full of beloved

horses, homes on
challenging fairways,
homes with sparkling
pools, historic estates
and cottages in a vibrant
downtown and charming,
intelligent citizens!

3 Generations of REALTORS,
50+ Years of Experience
Call us to sell or discover
your perfect place in Aiken!

Jacob Klarman
803.507.3295

Michelle Adams
803.646.3935

Pam Thompson
803.646.1382

Mark Thompson
803.646.1372

120 Laurens St. NW

803-644-5050
     
 



 

AS07-1202512

is for

many years. Eventually, Campbell

Town failed when the competition
between warehouse owners across
the river escalated into fighting.
Steamboat ferries were destroyed
and John Hammond was killed.
Augusta emerged the victor, snagging most of the tobacco trade, and
Campbell Town died.
In 1821, German immigrant
Henry Shultz tried again to establish a trade town on the South
Carolina side of the river. Known as
Hamburg, the tiny town began to
flourish due to the cotton trade. In
1833, the Charleston to Hamburg
Railroad line cemented the areas
importance. The railroad brought
success, but was also the cause of
Hamburgs demise, when it built a
trestle bridge to Augusta in 1853.
No longer the terminal stop, Hamburg slowly wasted away.
Finally, in the 1890s, local
visionary James U. Jackson, set a
plan to establish a lasting city on
the bluffs of the Savannah. He
started the North Augusta Land
Company in 1890 and hired noted
town designers from New

35

NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA

AS12-1200118

A great place to call HOME

Where neighbors are neighborly;Hey Yall is a proper

greeting and Sweet Tea flows like the Savannah!
36

Today, North Augusta covers

about 20 square miles and has a
population of more than 22,000
people. The city is committed to
growth and development while
appreciating the legacy of the
areas historical culture. Some
of the positive changes can be
attributed to the North Augusta 2000 Foundation, which
is a nonprofit organization that
seeks to
establish a
prominent
riverfront
community
with safe
streets,
excellent
educational and
economic
opportunities and

& for

New
Ellenton
The City of New Ellenton,
known locally as the Atomic
City, was established in 1952
after the people of the town
of Ellenton were relocated
to make room for the Savannah River Plant. The planned
destruction of the original
town made national headlines
in 1950, when editors named
Ellenton the first victim of the
bomb plant.
The town was evacuated
on March 1, 1952. The government bought land from
the 600 residents, and local residents moved to new
locations. Some people even
moved their houses. The upheaval has been chronicled in
the documentary Displaced,
as well as in Memories of
Home: Reminisces of Ellenton
published by the Savannah
River Archaeological Research
Program. The musical I Dont
Live There Anymore: The Ellenton Story is also based
on the destruction of the
town. The Aiken County
Historical Museum has a
permanent exhibit featuring Ellenton, complete with
photographs and artifacts
from the area.

abundant recreation.
Residents make much use of
the planned green spaces within
the city, including the 13-mile
main trail of the Greeneway.
Developed on the remnants of
an old Norfolk-Southern rail
line, the Greeneway is a paved
bike path and walking trail that
connects residents with city
parks and local neighborhoods.
It is a safe, shaded recreational
area with many access points,
including Riverview Park and
Brick Pond Park.
Industries such as TTX/
Hamburg Co. and Halocarbon
provide cutting-edge manufacturing jobs here. Burgeoning
urban neighborhoods like Hammonds Ferry encourage a strong
sense of community and a sense
of loyalty to locally owned businesses.
Project Jackson, the citys
plan to develop a portion of
the riverfront for a mixed-use
Today, New Ellenton is a city with
more than 2,000
residents. Each year,
they commemorate
the people who were
displaced by the
Savannah River Site
with the Atomic
City Festival. In addition to midway rides,
games and food
vendors, the SRS
Heritage Foundation
sets up an exhibit
featuring stories and
pictures from former
residents.
New Ellenton is located
just beyond the
entrance to the
Savannah River
Site, a constant
reminder that
people made
sacrifices for the
nuclear facility to
be built.

area with a new stadium for the

Augusta GreenJackets baseball
team, is one example of the City
Councils forward thinking. The
plan would extend the commercial area between Hammonds
Ferry and the River Club golf
community to attract new businesses and residents.
North Augusta is also known
nationally for hosting the annual
Nike Peach Jam. A showcase of
high school basketball talent,
the Peach Jam hosts players and
attracts recruiters and coaches
from the countrys most successful collegiate programs.
From its humble beginnings
as a trading post, the City of
North Augusta has grown and
matured into a bustling city of
enterprise and recreation. Residents are proud of the quaint,
tree-lined streets, the thriving
local business community, and
the beautiful natural scenery
that surrounds the city.

 



 
 
 
 
  





 
 

  
     
 



 

AS07-1202513

NA...from page 35

37

From Cyber-Stress to Serenity

T his Can be Your Backyard

FORT GORDON

38

AS12-1200125

an easy drive from

Tattersall Group
www.tattersallgroup.com

Around every corner

in Aiken you will
discover a new
hidden delight. Be
it a charming shop,
an historic home, a
wonderful restaurant
or the magic of
Hitchcock Woods, you
  
special. Aiken is a
town noted for its
friendly atmosphere,
golf, equestrian
sports, temperate
climate, & busy
activities calendar.

is for

Aiken County is a treasure

trove of outdoor fun. From
parks and gardens to woods
and wetlands, you will revel in
the numerous opportunities
and ways to explore the natural
world.
Discover the ecological
diversity of a Carolina Bay, enjoy
the stunning views from the
banks of the Savannah River,
walk 18 holes at championship
golf courses or find shaded solitude in the deep forests of pine.
The fertile fields and temperate climate of the Aiken County
area have attracted farmers
for hundreds of years. Cotton
farmers were successful here,
and were among some of the
first to put Aiken on the map.
Their plows eventually brought
the railroad, which enabled the
wealthy to visit the area. Many
of the outdoor recreational activities here can be traced to the
interests of the Winter Colony
founders.
Thomas Hitchcock and his
associates brought horses to Aiken to play polo and participate
in fox hunts in the woods. Today, polo matches are still held
on Whitney Field, and drag hunt
enthusiasts still ride the trails of
Hitchcock
Woods.
The Woods
remain
one of the

greatest of the
Hitchcock legacies.
Maintained by the
Hitchcock Foundation, the 2,100
acres offer more
than 71 miles of
walking
and
equestrian
trails.
The
Woods
are also
home
to diverse species of flora
and fauna and provide local scientists an opportunity to study the longleaf
pine forest habitat.
The Hitchcocks are
also responsible for
bringing golf to the
area. Thomas Hitchcock built Palmetto
Golf Club in 1892, and
the club is the oldest continually-operated 18-hole golf course
in its original location in the
Southeast.
Today, Aiken County is
known for its outstanding selection of award-winning public
and private golf courses. Along
with Palmetto, The River Club
in North Augusta, the
Aiken Golf Club in
downtown Aiken, Cedar Creek Golf Club,
Houndslake and its 27
holes, three different
courses at Woodside

Kathy Kennedy

Plantation and the exclusive

Sage Valley Golf Club are among
some of the courses whose designers have taken advantage of
the natural beauty of the area.
The Winter Colony also left
Aiken with another beautiful
legacy: Hopelands Gardens. Donated to the City of Aiken upon
the death of Hope Iselin, the
gardens, dollhouse and stables
are all that remain of a once
grand estate.
See Outdoors, page 40

REALTOR
803.640.5183
kathykennedy@remax.net
    
located behind the horse at

120 Laurens St. NW

803-226-0036
     
 



 

AS07-1202514

Outdoors

39

OutdOOrs...from page 39
Hopelands Gardens is also
home to the Thoroughbred
Racing Hall of Fame, which
highlights many of the Thoroughbreds with Aiken roots
that became successful in the
intriguing world of horse racing.
Just down Whiskey Road
from Hopelands is the Carolina Bay Park run by the City
of Aiken. Built to preserve the
unique habitat of the Carolina
Bay, the park offers walking
trails and a climbing wall.
Home to diverse species
such as frogs, salamanders, turtles, birds
and snakes, these protected areas are vital to
maintaining biodiversity in our area.
Another major
natural area is the
North Augusta Greeneway, which is a nature
trail built along an
abandoned railroad
track. The main trail
stretches 7 miles and is
used by walkers, hikers,
roller skaters and cyclists.

noeing on a river, Aiken County

is also home to Langley Pond,
which is just inches shy of being
a lake. Once the training ground
of the U.S. Olympic Rowing
team, Langley Pond offers facilities for boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking.

36 holes of Championship golf with 9-Hole Executive Par 3 Course

10 tournament-class tennis courts
Beautiful and private swimming complex
Banquet and meeting space that can accommodate 10-250 guests
PGA professional staff to help with all of your golf and private outing needs
Completely renovated Mulligans Grill and Fireside Outdoor Patio,
perfect for entertaining family, friends and colleagues

Rooted in the South side of Aiken, Woodside Plantation Country Club

provides an escape for everyone. Call today to schedule your visit.

(803) 649-3383

www.woodside-plantation.com | 1000 Woodside Plantation Drive | Aiken, SC

40

AS35-1202088

Companion trails branch off

the main way, which passes
through Riverview Park.
The Aiken State Park is perhaps one of the hidden gems of
Aiken Countys natural beauty.
Tucked along the South Edisto
River in Windsor, the park is
an outdoor
recreational
paradise.
If you
prefer
boating
on a pond
versus ca-

Peaches
If you drive
through Aiken County
during the
summer,
chances are
you will see a
peach stand on the
side of the road. And if you get
the opportunity: Stop the car!
Peaches are the state fruit
of South Carolina, and the
ones grown in Aiken County
are some of the sweetest, most
delicious you will ever taste.
Most of the peach farms here are
located along what is known as
The Ridge, which spans portions
of Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda and
Lexington counties. There are
any number of large peach farms
in the area, including Watsonia
Farms in Monetta, Dixie Belle

& for

Perry
Perry is a small town in the
western corner of Aiken County
on Highway 39 between Wagener
and Salley.
Perry is home to about 240
residents. The town, like nearby
Wagener, was established because
of the railroad.
John Wagener was instrumental in bringing the railroad
through that portion of the county, and many towns along the rail
line called themselves Wagener.
Perry was one of those towns, and
changed its name in 1888 when
present-day Wagener was granted
official use of the name. Perry
then was named after Benjamin
Perry, a Provisional Governor
during the Civil War.

 



  


in recent
years. More than 18,000
acres of peaches are planted
across the state.
South Carolinas peach production has often been overshadowed by neighboring Peach
State Georgia. At one time, a
single South Carolina county
could produce more peaches
than the entire state of Georgia.
In response, farmers here have adopted the moniker of the Tastier
Peach State. We like to celebrate
our contribution to the greatness
of peaches, and the local Ridge
Peach Festival is held in nearby
Trenton each June.

  
   

    
 
   

   
    
    
    

   
   
      
  

   


  
  
  

 
   
    
 
 

 






   






 
 

  
     
 



 

AS07-1202515

is for

in Ward, Big Smile/Yonce &

Sons in Johnston, Titan Farms
in Ridge Spring and Cooks in
Edgefield.
Peach cultivation for commercial purposes dates back to
the mid-1800s and originates in
Aiken County. Noted botanist
and Aiken resident Henry William Ravenel is credited as being
the first to export South Carolina
peaches to other states. William
Gregg, whose cotton mill in
Graniteville was the first successful
industry in the area, planted more
than 2,000 peach trees behind
his home. It is believed
that later in his life,
Greggs orchards
held more than
6,000 trees.
Though
the trees
are long gone,
this area is
still known for
growing a wide variety of peaches,
with the harvesting season stretching from June to September.
South Carolina is second only
to California in peach production and harvests anywhere from
30 to 40 varieties each summer.
According to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture,
the state produces an average of
200 million pounds of peaches
each year. The crop brings in an
estimated $35 million, though
droughts and other weather difficulties have caused sales to drop

41

is for

Barbecue

This large, family-friendly restaurant is located between Aiken and

Augusta on Jefferson Davis Highway
and is known for its pork, chicken
and ribs, as well as its variety of
Southern vegetables.
BBQ Barn in North Augusta
also offers pork butt, smoked slowly
over hickory for full flavor. Catering
to customers in both South Carolina
and Georgia, the Barn has five sauces: Georgia Red, Smoky Sweet Red,
Hot Georgia Red, Carolina Gold
and Spicy Mustard. The restaurant
is also known for its delicious cakes

and sweets.
In addition to the
brick-and-mortar establishments,
there are any number of barbecue
catering ventures in the area. Many
barbecuers have set-ups with enormous, portable smokers and grills.
Our advice to you is to be
adventurous and try all the local
barbecue establishments. Grab a
friend, a roll of paper towels and
some wet wipes and chow down on
the best of what Aiken County has
to offer!
Remember to just say, Q.

AS07-1202500

When someone says Q in this

part of the country, they mean one
thing barbecue.
The spelling may not work out
exactly right, but when the meat
hits the taste buds, even the sternest
English teacher will forgive.
Smoked, slow-roasted, grilled,
pulled and chopped, barbecue is
as ubiquitous to Southern living as
magnolias and sweet iced tea. Aiken
County has a multitude of shops
featuring the tasty, meaty morsels
sauced up and served with a smile.
Barbecue is a dish that varies
greatly by region. Youll find smoked
brisket in Texas and dry-rubbed

ribs in
Memphis. Here in
South Carolina, pulled
pork is king, and its usually served with a tangy,
mustard-vinegar sauce.
Carolina Barbecue in
New Ellenton has been in operation since 1969. Diners have the
option of enjoying the plentiful buffet or buying pork by the pound and
sides for take-out. Favorites here
include the fried okra and macaroni
and cheese, as well as the hash and
rice.
Dukes Barbecue is another
buffet in New Ellenton. With Dukes
great selection of hot sides, as well
as ribs, barbecued pork or chicken,
locals rave especially about the hush
puppies, sweet potatoes and banana
pudding.
Bobbys Bar-B-Q has been in
operation since 1985 and offers
catering services, as well as a buffet.

42

is for

Real
Estate
Aiken County has a great
advantage of being located in
an area with an extremely low
cost of living combined with
reasonable property taxes. That
factor, coupled with an inventory of homes that range from
one-bedroom condos to large
custom homes in desirable communities, makes the Aiken real
estate market very attractive. The
Aiken Board of Realtors statistics prove Aiken is a great place
to live. They report pending sales
are up 21 percent over last year
and closed sales are up 5 percent,
which means people are finding
Aiken is a great place to live and
work! The average home price in
Aiken is $152,000.
According to Kristyne Shelton, the Association Executive
at the Aiken Board of Realtors,
the most difficult factors to
overcome in the local real estate
recovery process is tight credit
standards. Housing inventory,
however, has remained fairly
steady since 2009, ensuring that
prospective buyers will have
plenty of choices when looking
to invest in Aiken County.
Aiken County offers a wealth
of options in the real estate
market. You can find spectacular
low-maintenance townhouses,
budget-friendly single family homes and neighborhoods
that feature homes on 1+acre
sites with amenities such as
playgrounds, tennis courts and
private lake access. One premier
gated community features over
3,200 homes, two country clubs
and golf courses. Aiken is a destination for equestrian events and
has plenty of properties available
to house you and your horses.
Local Realtors are available
to help you list or buy a new
home. Find a local Realtor by

visiting www.aikenmls.com.
Realtors are members of the
National Association of Realtors, which means they must
subscribe and adhere to a REALTOR Code of Ethics. The REALTOR Code of Ethics contains
17 strictly enforced Articles and
various underlying Standards
of Practice. REALTORS are
committed to treat all parties
to a transaction honestly. An
independent survey reports that
84 percent of home buyers would
use the same Realtor again.
There is no cost associated
with using a Realtor to help you
buy your dream home. You have
nothing to lose by contacting
a Realtor to help with your
home search.

 


  
 
 

 
    
  
     
  
   
   

  
     
  
  

 
    
   
   
     
   
    

   

  
     
   
     
     
     
  
    
    
     
    
  
   

  



 


 
 

  
     
 



 


AS07-1202516

43

is for

Salley

Salley, a small town on the

eastern edge of Aiken County, is
most famous for the yearly Chitlin Strut celebration. Chitlins,
a traditional Southern and soul
food specialty, are boiled up and
fried by the pound each year on
the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
The first Chitlin Strut was
held in 1966 to raise funds for
new Christmas decorations for
the community. The festival was
such a resounding success that
the tradition has continued for
48 years.

The Chitlin Strut has

evolved into a giant celebration
that includes a beauty pageant,
pancake breakfast, musical
performances, a hog-calling
competition, strut competition,
car and bike show, carnival
rides and craft vendors.
Though more than 50 food
vendors ply their wares, the
chitlin remains the most popular food choice, and participants eat their way through an
estimated 10,000 pounds each
year.
Salley was originally
known as John Town,
and was settled by Swiss
German families following a land grant by King
George II of England
in 1735. The Revolutionary War battle
of Deans Bridge was
fought
here in
1787.
After that
war, local
families
were
successful in the
lumber

trade and built grand mansions. Many of the regal homes

were burned during Shermans
destructive march at the end
of the Civil War. The town was
renamed for South Carolina
legislator Dempsey Salley upon
its incorporation in 1887.

AS07-1202503

44

is for

South
Boundary
Arguably the most famous
street in the City of Aiken,
South Boundary has become an
iconic local symbol.
The avenue is shaded
year-round by the lofty, arching branches of the live oaks
that line the thoroughfare. The
famous silhouette is featured on
license plates, coffee mugs and
even the citys logo.
Known locally as the Avenue
of Oaks or Tunnel of Trees,
South Boundary was planted
with live oak trees beginning in
the 1880s. According to local
legend, Henry Dibble, a busi-

nessman, traveled often between

Aiken and his dairy farm in
Montmorenci. He planted the
oaks that line the streets to make
his commute more beautiful.
Others attribute the plantings
to three of Aikens mayors:
Herman Warneke, Julian Salley
Sr., and Herbert Gyles, all of
whom worked diligently to plant
hardwoods along the streets and
parkways of the city.
South Boundarys lovely
trees are but a fraction of the
105 different varieties that are
featured in the citys Arboretum,
an interactive tour of the incredible diversity of flora in the
area. Different tree varieties are
marked with plaques inscribed
with their common and scientific names, as well as a phone
number to call for more information. The Citywide Arboretum was established in 1995 to
help visitors and residents learn
more about the trees they see in
the 176 parkways in the city.
Today, we all enjoy the shaded beauty of the regal oaks. The
image is captured by artists and
photographers time and again,
on misty mornings, snowy
afternoons and golden summer

evenings. Brides often use it as

a backdrop for their portraits.
It isnt unusual to see carriages
wheeling down the wide avenue,
or horses and riders lined up to
enter Hitchcock Woods, much
as they did 100
years ago.
South
Boundary is
truly one
of Aikens
special
places.

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45

is for

Trains
The significance of the railroad to Aiken Countys history
cannot be overstated. When
William Aikens South Carolina Railroad and Canal Co.
built the Charleston to Hamburg line in 1833, it forever
changed the face of this county.
The story of the railroad
began, according to legend,
with a cotton merchant named
Capt. William White Williams. He, William Aiken and
other investors
founded the
railroad company to build a
cheaper method
to transport
cotton from the
fields to the ports
of Charleston.
Williams, whose
house is still

46

located at the corner of York

Street and Ray Lane, wanted
the rails to run as close to his
fields as possible.
Local lore says that the railroad surveyor, Alfred Dexter,
initially suggested a site some
miles south of Williams fields.
Dexter had, however, fallen in
love with Williams daughter,
Sara. At his future father-inlaws request, he and assistant
C.O. Pascalis designed a stationary winch method to pull
trains up the steep grade between Warrenville and Aiken.
In 1833, the Charleston to
Hamburg line was completed.
Ranging 136 miles, it was the
longest railroad in the world.
It was the first
steam railroad
in America,
and carried
U.S. mail, passengers and
freight. At
the time, the
railroad had
three steam

engines, eight passenger cars,

11 lumber cars, 14 tender cars
and 56 freight cars.
Alfred Dexter married
Sara Williams, and the couple
stayed in the area. Dexter and
Pascalis laid out the design for
the wide avenues and parkways
in downtown Aiken, and the
city was chartered in 1835.
The railroad terminus
was a town called Hamburg,
located on the site of presentday North Augusta. The town,
developed by Henry Schultz
in 1821, was built to compete
with Augusta for the Savannah
River cotton trade. A boom
town, Hamburgs wealth rose
with the arrival of the railroad.

The railroad expanded with

a line to Columbia in 1842
and one to Camden in 1848.
A rail bridge across the river
to Augusta was built in 1853
and diverted trade away from
Hamburg. The town eventually
faded away.
During the Civil War,
Southern railroads were major
targets for Union generals.
The South Carolina Railroad
incurred significant damage in
1865, and was rebuilt during
the 1870s and 1880s.
The railroad contributed
greatly to growth in the area.
Trains took local farm goods

Shellhouse
Funeral Home, Inc.

state system are two factors that

help attract industry to Aiken
County.
The present Aiken Railroad
Depot was rebuilt on its original
site in 2010 using much of the
original design. It is now home
to the City of Aiken Visitors
Center and Train Museum.
Visitors can enjoy touring the
station, including nine dioramas
meticulously reconstructed to
show all the stops on the Southern Railway in 1916. There are
also two Pullman cars and a
caboose being refurbished on
the grounds of the depot.

Family Owned & Operated

JASON B.
HUCKS

Funeral Director

924 Hayne Ave.

Aiken, SC 29801

642-3456

www.shellhousefuneralhome.com

GRAHAM P.
HALL

Funeral Director

ROBERT W.
SHELLHOUSE, Jr.
Funeral Director

CODY
ANDERSON

Funeral Director

Aikens Only On-Site Crematory

COMPLETE FUNERAL SERVICE

Shellhouse-Rivers
Funeral Home, Inc.

C. MITCHELL
RIVERS
Funeral Director

715 E. Pine Log Rd.

Aiken, SC 29803

641-4401

www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com

AS04-1200446

to Charleston and beyond, and

brought the wealthy to elite
hotels in Aiken and North
Augusta. In 1899, Southern
Railway built a large depot at
the Aiken stop. The depots unusual size and design have been
attributed to the influence of
financier William C. Whitney,
who is also credited with bringing architect Stanford White to
the area. Although the depots
plans are unsigned, historians
believe White designed the
depot. The Aiken depot served
as a defining symbol of the
importance of the rails until its
closure in 1954, when passenger
train service was discontinued
in the area.
Eventually Southern Railway
was able to connect its South
Carolina lines to a network that
stretched as far as Los Angeles. The railroad enjoyed an
extended period of expansion
through the 20th century. The
line was modernized regularly
as different rail technology was
developed. The route remained
the same, used for many years
as the main juncture between
Augusta, Aiken and
Charleston. In the
1980s, the line between Branchville
and Aiken was dismantled. Though the
original Charleston to
Hamburg line no longer
exists, portions of the
route remain in use.
The industries in Aiken
County still use the line
from Augusta to Graniteville, and a spur down
Highway 78 in Aiken is
used, as well. Rail access
and unique location
along the federal Inter-

47

is for

Universe

Here on Earth, its easy to get

caught up in the minutiae of day-today life. But Aiken County is home
to a wonderful means of viewing the
vast expanses of the universe at the
DuPont Planetarium at the University
of South Carolina Aiken.
The planetarium is a 45-seat
theater with a 30-foot diameter tilted
aluminum dome. Equipped with
state-of-the-art planetary projection and automation systems, the
planetarium has capabilities of all-sky,
video and panoramic projection.
The DuPont Planetarium is an
important science education tool
for local K-12 students, and is also

used by the university for specialized

programs. Private parties may reserve
the venue, which also presents public
shows each Saturday night.
The Planetarium is located at
the universitys Ruth Patrick Science
Education Center, which also has an
observatory. The observatory has a
5-meter diameter rotating domed
roof and is home to the Bechtel
Telescope, a 16-inch Meade SchmidtCassegrain catadioptric telescope.
Visitors who enjoy planetarium
shows on Saturdays are also welcome
to use the observatory if weather
permits. The Bechtel Telescope allows observers to see a multitude of
celestial objects, including planets
and nebulae.
Aiken astronomer David Boyd
also has an observatory located on
county property at Boyd Pond Park.
He has regular shows open to the
public on weekends.
The DuPont Planetarium and
the Boyd Observatory are not Aiken
Countys only connection to the
great expanses of the universe. The
Savannah River Site produced Plutonium-238, which was used as fuel for
all of NASAs space probes, as well as
any number of space missions.
The next time you gaze up to the
stars, remember that Aiken Countys
connection to the distant planets is
not that far away.

PARTNERSHIPS
USC Aiken has much to oer
the Aiken Community
      
   
  
   

www.usca.edu
AS06-1201244

48

St. Mary Help of Christians

Catholic Church
Corner of Park Ave. and York St.
Downtown Aiken (803) 649-4777
www.stmarys-aiken.org

St Thaddeus
Episcopal Church

AS20-1197045

1711 Whiskey Road, Aiken

803.648.9574
www.southaiken.org

AS04-1202765

AS20-1197043

South Aiken Presbyterian Church

AS04-1202764

!
y
a
d
n
Su

120 Chesterfield Street NE

803.648.5476 www.fbcaiken.org

224 Barnwell Ave. NW, Aiken

(803) 648-2662
WWW .A IKEN P RESBYTERIAN . ORG

223 South Aiken Blvd., SE

803.648.4167 www.millbrook.cc

Jointuhiss

Aikens First Baptist Church

First Presbyterian
Church

Millbrook Baptist Church

Corners of Richland & Newberry Streets

Downtown Aiken, SC 29801 648-6891
www.stjohns-umc.org 8:30am, 9:02am & 11am

AS20-1197031

AS04-1202763

St. Johns United Methodist

Church

Town Creek Baptist Church

250 Town Creek Road Aiken
803.649.9792
www.towncreekbaptist.com

125 Pendleton St. SW Downtown Aiken

803.648.5497
www.stthaddeus.org
AS20-1203518

49

is for

Values

young children and their families.

Christ Central is a non-denominational Christian ministry that
meets the need of the poor and
disadvantaged in the community.
In addition to providing food and
clothing for those in need, Christ
Central also works with clients to
improve work skills, advance their
education and obtain employment.
The very best of a community is
often revealed in dire circumstances. Aiken County has a number
of shelters, including the Cumbee
Center to Assist Abused Persons.
This is an emergency shelter for
victims of domestic violence. It also
has a rape crisis center and offers
legal advocacy.

Area churches have

also established a
unique service to give
emergency aid to the
needy of Aiken. ACTS
Area Churches Together
Serving has provided
temporary and emergency aid for disadvantaged
people since 1986. Currently,
more than 60 churches are involved
with ACTS.
Community Ministry of North
Augusta CMONA helps provide
for emergency needs of those in the
city in Aiken Countys northwest
corner.
The spirit of community
cooperation is embodied each
November in the One Table event.
Since 2005, churches and volunteers
have prepared a free Thanksgiving
dinner in downtown Aiken. People
from all walks of life gather to cook,
serve and feast on a traditional holiday dinner that echoes the cooperative nature of the first Thanksgiving.
The many advocacy groups
here are the foundation on which
community spirit is built. Countless
lives are improved each day when
the people of Aiken County reach
out hands to help, heal and provide
hope.

AS20-1200815

The people of Aiken County are

generous and caring. Here, there are
many who realize that a community willing to make investments
in others will reap great rewards.
Aiken Countys many advocacy
groups provide individuals and
families with support, counseling
and encouragement in times of
need. These organizations exhibit
the incredible strength of values
present here.
The United Way of Aiken
County is a major fundraiser and
charitable contributor in the area.
Providing financial aid to more

than 30 agencies in Aiken County,

it raised more than $3 million in an
annual campaign last year. In addition to supporting other groups,
the United Way has three outreach
projects of its own. Be a Bunny
gives baskets filled with comfort
items to area seniors each spring.
Project Vision provides disabled
senior citizens with essential home
repairs, and the School Tools initiative distributes supplies to local
schools for children who cannot
afford them.
Many agencies in Aiken are
specifically focused on the needs
of children. Helping Hands Inc. is
available as an emergency shelter
for abused, neglected and abandoned children. They offer 24-hour
supervision and provide medical
attention when necessary.
The Child Advocacy Center
of Aiken County also offers aid to
children who have been sexually or
physically abused. They coordinate
forensic interviews and counseling
with a multiagency team.
Childrens Place is another safe
haven for young children in need
of special care. Offering therapeutic
and educational childcare services,
Childrens Place has a multi-level
system of services designed for

50

is for

Wagener
Located in the northeastern
corner of Aiken County, Wagener
was originally a settlement known
as Pinder Town. Later known by
the name Gunters Crossroad, the
town is situated on the former
farmland of Elridge Gunter.
Gunter donated the land to the
town to benefit local schools and
churches.
Similar to many of the towns
in Aiken County, Wagener grew
in 1887 when it became a stop on
the Southern Railroad line that
led to Batesburg. The town was
named for George Wagener, a

& for

Whiskey
Road
Its difficult to travel anywhere
in the City of Aiken without going down Whiskey Road. One of
our most heavily traveled streets,
Whiskey links downtown with
the ever-growing retail centers
of the Southside. If you continue
south, it will lead you to New
Ellenton and the Savannah River
Site.
Whiskey Road was an important thoroughfare in the area even
before automobiles. The dirt path
was well used by bootleggers who
came out of the pine forests to
transport their moonshine whiskey from hidden stills. One year
after Aiken was established, the
street became officially known by
its nickname: Whiskey Road.
During the Winter Colony
period, grand estates were built
on either side of the road. Horses
with single riders and carriages
carried the wealthy visitors into
downtown. The street itself remained unpaved until 1939. Once

staunch railroad supporter. The

Wagener Museum celebrates
the rich history of the area and
displays artifacts from local
residents.
Many of Wageners local
farmers were very successful.
The town was a major source of
asparagus during the 1920s and
30s, and it is still home for many
family-owned farms.
The town is home to Cyril B.
Busbee A.L. Corbett Elementary
Middle School, a shared campus for those in K-5, as well as
students in grades 6-8. WagenerSalley High School is also located
in Wagener, giving the town an
educational flavor for that part of
the county.

the Savannah River Plant began

construction in 1951, Whiskey
Roads importance grew exponentially.
The expansion of the Southside has followed the route of the
old bootleggers along Whiskey
Road with continuing growth going in the southerly direction.
One of Whiskey Roads most
notable intersections is located
not far from the roads beginning
near South Boundary. The
juncture of Whiskey Road
and Easy Street makes for
an unforgettable photo opt
for many visitors to
Aiken.

51

is for

X-ray

Access to quality, affordable

health care is a major concern for
people of all ages. Here in Aiken
County, you will find a diverse field
of qualified medical specialists committed to giving their patients the
best health services around.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers is the countys 245-bed acute
care hospital. With more than 120
physicians offering care in more
than 30 specialties, residents of
Aiken County can feel secure in the
knowledge that their medical needs
will be met right here at home. In
addition to offering emergency
services, ARMC offers planned care
for those facing chronic medical
problems.
The Diabetes and Nutrition
Teaching Center, for example, offers
disease management, nutrition
counseling and patient-specific care
plans to help individuals control
their diabetes. The staff specializes in using the most advanced
technology, such as continuous
glucose monitoring and insulin
pump therapy. The nutrition team
also offers counseling for weightloss management, those with food
allergies, teen athletes and others
who have specific nutritive needs.
ARMC is also home to the Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina, a
high-quality cardiac center with
advanced diagnostic capabilities.
The center offers angioplasty,
cardiac CT, echocardiography,
intravascular ultrasound, stents
and emergency services to heart
patients. The hospital staff also
works closely with local groups
to transmit EKGs from ambulances so that physicians are
prepared to quickly administer
the correct aid when a heart attack patient arrives.
Women in Aiken County are

52

also fortunate to have the Womens

LifeCare Diagnostic Services to
provide digital mammography,
breast biopsy, bone densitometry
and X-rays in a state-of-the-art
center located near the hospital.
This is the CSRAs only dedicated
free-standing womens imaging
center and has an all-female staff
with board certified radiologists
and surgeons.
Health services in Aiken are
not limited to the hospital. The
Center for Primary Care, for
example, is a network of physicians
with seven locations in the CSRA,
including offices in Aiken and
North Augusta. These offices offer
convenient, personal health care to
individuals of all ages.
Aiken is also home to the
Carolina Musculoskeletal Institute,
a group of highly skilled physicians
and nurses who offer orthopedic,
neurological, arthritic, podiatric,
sports injury and pain management services. The main office is
conveniently located on the campus
of Aiken Regional Medical
Centers.
The Margaret J. Weston
Medical Center, with
locations in Aiken and
Clearwater, specializes
in medical and dental
care for those who are
economically disadvantaged. The center, which
operates under the
name Rural Health

Services Inc., was started in 1978 by

Margaret Weston, a local registered
nurse with ties to Planned Parenthood in Aiken County. In addition
to health services, the Clearwater
location is also home to a pharmacy.
The center provides breast cancer
screenings, hypertension screening, immunizations, prenatal care,
laboratory services, physicals and
health education. Services are also
available at a discount for those who
qualify.
The United Way also offers free
services at the Community Medical
Clinic of Aiken County. The clinic
is available to those who are not
covered by Medicare or Medicaid,
who meet income requirements
and have no

insurance. It offers primary care,

medications, diabetic supplements,
education and flu vaccines.
Patients at all income levels,
with any range of medical needs,
from diabetes and orthopedic
rehabilitation, to mental health care,
cancer and cardiac treatment can
find expert physicians and caring
nurses right here in Aiken County.

is for

Y Dont
You Visit?

AS05-1199838

Weve given you 24 reasons to

come to Aiken County and check out
this part of South Carolina.
So the question remains: Why (or
Y) dont you come to Aiken County
for a visit or for longer?

53

is for

Zest

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MAKE US
US YOUR
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(888) 301-8649
520 E. Pine Log Road, Aiken, SC 29803
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T VINTERNE T PHONE
AS08-1198605

54

Walk into our community...take a deep breath...

and you know that you belong

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AS07-1202195

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55

                  
  

   

     

        
             
   

      


    

 




AS04-1202072