“There
were more battles fought in South Carolina during
the American Revolution than any other state,”
she said. “Spartanburg County had more battle
and skirmish sites on its soil than any other county
in S.C., second only to Charleston and Berkley counties.
The Battle of Cowpens is considered a turning point
in the southern campaign of America’s fight
for independence.
“Nine
battles were fought in Spartanburg County alone,
and there were terrible and costly conflicts between
patriots and loyalists during these years,”
Turpin added. “After the end of the war, many
residents who had remained loyal to the king emigrated
from the area, never to return. Today, the site
of the Battle of Cowpens is a national park and
the site of the Battle of Musgroves Mill is a state
park.”
While historical conflicts brought attention to
Spartanburg, there are several other interesting
highlights about the city.
“Spartanburg had the first commercial airport
in the state,” Turpin said. “When Charles
Lindbergh came though on his Spirit of St. Louis
tour, his only stop in South Carolina was in Spartanburg
because of this.”
Today, the airport’s named the Spartanburg
Downtown Memorial Airport in honor of Spartanburg
County soldiers.
Spartanburg was also home to two military training
centers, Camp Wadsworth and Camp Croft, that collectively
trained more than 250,000 soldiers during WWI and
WWII.
Plus, the area is known for its railroads, she said.
“Spartanburg is nicknamed the ‘Hub City’
because when viewing the town on a map, the city
looks like the hub of a wheel with the spokes represented
by all of the railroads,” Turpin said. “This
railroad system led to a boom in the early textile
mill history of our area.”
Just some of the historical figures who are associated
with Spartanburg include Gen. Daniel Morgan, who
led the patriot troops of regular army continentals
and area militia in the Battle of Cowpens on Jan.
17, 1781; James F. Byrnes, who was director of War
Mobilization during WWII and was instrumental in
bring Camp Croft to Spartanburg; and Dr. Henry Kissinger
became a U.S. citizen at Camp Croft, Turpin said.
Plus, many musicians hail from Spartanburg, including
Hank Garland, Marshall Chapman, Pink Anderson, and
Carlos Mosley.
Roger Milliken, chairman and CEO of Millikin &
Co., the largest privately owned company in the
United States, lives in Spartanburg, she said. “Gen.
William Westmoreland, who commanded American military
operations during the Vietnam War and served as
U.S. Army Chief of Staff, is from Spartanburg County.”
When it came to naming Greenville, there was a slight
disagreement, said Sidney Rutledge Thompson of the
Greenville County Historical Society, which collects
historic documents and photographs for display in
its museum.
“According
to Dr. A.V. Huff's book, Greenville: The History
of the City And County, there was controversy about
the origin and name,” she said. “The
consensus is, I believe, that the city was named
for Nathaniel Greene, the Revolutionary War hero,
in 1787. A landowner named Lemuel Alston wanted
to name it Pleasantburg, but it didn’t ‘stick.’”
Greenville is also known for being the “Textile
Center of the South,” as well as its military
history, such as The Battle of the Cane Brake, a
Civil War skirmish at Crescent Ridge, and military
training camps, Camp Wetherill and Camp Sevier,
said Rutledge Thompson.
In fact, to help aid with the WWII effort in 1942,
the U.S. government built the Greenville Air Force
Base, later renamed Donaldson Air Force in honor
of a local soldier who fought during WWI, she said.
In 1963, the base was deactivated and the land was
sold to the City and County of Greenville, according
to the website www.donaldsoncenter.com.
Plus, the funeral train of President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt passed through Greenville, she added.
Just some of the historical figures who are linked
to Greenville include: Richard Pearis, the first
settler in Greenville; Vardry McBee, the “Father
of Greenville” who built 100 buildings and
a textile mill in Greenville; and Joel Poinsett,
a former statesman who first brought a red plant,
later named a poinsettia, from Mexico to Greenville.
Then
there was “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, a
Greenville baseball player who advanced to play
for the Chicago White Sox; and Clayton “Peg
Leg” Bates, a famous dancer despite losing
a leg while working at a mill as a child. Bates
was “discovered” while dancing at the
Greenville Black Libery Theatre. Soon, Bates was
dancing at premier places, such as the Apollo Theatre
and the Cotton Club.
Southern
charm
There are many reasons why Spartanburg and Greenville
are so attractive to newcomers.
“We
have such a great quality of life in Greenville,”
said Rowena Buffett Timms, vice president of Greenville
Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Greenville
also has a wonderful venue (BI-LO Center) for national
and international tours, such as Cher, Elton John,
Janet Jackson and Shania Twain. And it’s located
in the heart of downtown. Plus, we have hundreds
of fabulous restaurants.”
Another draw for newcomers is Greenville’s
location, said Hank Hyatt, director of research
at the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce. “You
can be at the highest ski slope in Eastern America
in less than three hours and at beautiful beaches
in less than four,” he said.
Hyatt also mentioned that Greenville has a temperate
climate, a lower than average cost of living, wonderful
restaurants and shopping, as well as great golf.
And when it comes to finding that dream home, Greenville
offers many options.
“The
housing market is healthy here,” Buffett Timms
said. “We have very affordable condos all
the way up to million-dollar homes. There’s
something for everyone in Greenville.”
Located in Upstate South Carolina at the crossroads
of I-26 and I-85, Spartanburg also attracts newcomers
because of its proximity to major cities.
“It
is approximately three driving hours to the coast
and Charleston, S.C., and an hour from the mountains
and Asheville, N.C.,” said Pam Prevatte, communications
director at the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Driving distance to other cities includes
three hours to Atlanta and one hour to Charlotte,
N.C.”
The area is also served by an international airport
that is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Spartanburg,
she added.
“In Spartanburg County, Southern hospitality
flourishes in the homes and is apparent in the faces
of residents,” Prevatte said. “Newcomers
are greeted with open arms. Residents of Spartanburg
County embrace their wholesome values, as evidenced
by the many volunteers who have dedicated themselves
to the betterment of this community, its high educational
standards, superior healthcare, convenient location
and proximity to great shopping.
“The
amenities and opportunities Spartanburg County offers
are wide-ranging and they all blend together to
make this community a wonderful place to call home,”
she added.
Thriving
business culture
For many years, residents in Spartanburg and Greenville
have realized what a jewel they have in these two
cities: both offer a thriving business culture,
top-notch healthcare, and plenty of recreational
choices. In fact, many national and international
businesses are choosing Spartanburg and Greenville
as places they can call “home.”
For instance, Magna International Inc. announced
in May 2005 that Innertech, a division of its Intier
Automotive Interiors group, plans to open a new
manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, said Katie Wilber,
marketing and communications assistant at the Spartanburg
County Economic Development Corporation.
Intier Automotive is an innovative leader in developing
and manufacturing vehicle interior and vehicle closure
components and systems for the global automotive
industry, Wilber added.
In addition, Benteler Automotive announced in February
2005 that it has chosen Spartanburg for a major
automotive manufacturing and assembly facility,
she said.
Benteler Automotive plans to construct and lease
a 190,000 square-foot facility in the Hillside II
Industrial Park, located near Hwy. 290 and Interstate
85-N. The new plant, which is slated to open in
late 2005, is expected to employ 115 people, Wilber
said.
Just a few of the existing large employers in Spartanburg
include: BMW Manufacturing Co., Milliken and Co.,
Michelin North American Inc., Advance America, Kohler,
Lockwood Greene Engineering, and RR Donnelley and
Sons.
For more information about Spartanburg’s many
businesses, go to www.spartanburgchamber.com.
Greenville is home to many large employers that
have happily put down roots. “Just a few of
these employers include Greenville Hospital System
University Medical Center, Greenville County Schools,
General Electric, and Michelin,” Hyatt said.
“We also claim BMW, although it is in Spartanburg
County.”
“All
of BMW’s 4 series vehicles, Z-4’s and
X-5’s, as well as SUVs, are manufactured in
the Greenville plant,” Buffett Timms said.
“The BMW plant will also make the new crossover
vehicle, which has not been unveiled yet. And Michelin
has its North American headquarters in Greenville.
We are the No. 1 per capita employer of engineers.
Another major employer is the tourism industry.”
“Probably
the biggest economic development plan in play is
Clemson University International Center for Automotive
Research (ICAR), a collaborative effort with many
organizations including Michelin, BMW, Clemson,
Microsoft, and IBM,” said Hyatt. “Its
first tenants will be Clemson University graduate
school of automotive engineering and a BMW research
center focused on information technology. Clemson’s
long-term plans for ICAR also include research laboratories
focusing on electronics systems, safety/crash-worthiness,
fuel economy, and alternative fuels.”
But it’s not all about autos in Greenville.
“As of Aug. 31, 2004, Greenville Hospital
System achieved University Medical Center status,
with plans for a multi-million dollar Health Sciences
Research, Education, and Innovation Institute on
the Greenville Memorial Medical Campus,” Hyatt
said. “The institute will provide state-of-the-art
training for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and
medical technicians. GHS, University of South Carolina
(USC) Upstate, USC School of Medicine, Medical University
of South Carolina (MUSC), Palmetto Health, and Greenville
Technical and Community College will utilize the
facility of medical academics.”
Cutting-edge
healthcare
Moving to a new city can be quite daunting, especially
if you or a loved one needs medical assistance at
a moment’s notice. The good news is that both
cities offer many qualified, skilled, and caring
professionals with a wide range of specialties.
The health care facilities in Spartanburg boast
of sophisticated and cutting-edge technology, administered
with a caring touch. “Residents can find comfort
in knowing that they will be provided with world-class
healthcare, without leaving the county,” Prevatte
said.
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) is
a public, not-for-profit, integrated healthcare
delivery system, anchored by Spartanburg Regional
Medical Center, a 588-bed teaching and research
hospital, she said.
Among its most recognized departments are: the Regional
Heart Center, the Gibbs Regional Cancer Center,
the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the
Center for Women and a Level I Trauma Center.
In addition to SRHS, Spartanburg is also home to
the Mary Black Health System, a 353,690-square-foot
medical facility. Its staff includes more than 350
skilled physicians representing all specialties.
Mary Black was the first hospital in the Southeast
to offer a non-surgical procedure for an enlarged
prostate, Prevatte said.
And this facility is growing by leaps and bounds.
Construction has begun on the Mary Black Center
for Orthopedic Excellence/Steadman Hawkins Clinic
of the Carolinas, Prevatte said. “This facility
is an expansion of the existing Steadman Hawkins
Clinic in Vail, Colo.,” she said. “Long-time
pioneers in orthopedic medicine, this east-coast
clinic will house operating rooms, therapy sites
and research facilities.”
For more information about SRHS, check out its Web
site at www.srhs.com,
or log on to the Mary Black Health System’s
Web site at www.maryblackhospital.com.
The Greenville Hospital System (GHS) is a not-for-profit
academic health organization that’s committed
to medical excellence through research and education.
The sprawling health system has more than 7,500
employees, about 1,000 physicians on the medical
staff, eight residency programs with 130 residents,
and GHS offers its patients more than 1,100 beds,
according to GHS’ website, www.ghs.org.
GHS includes Greenville Memorial Hospital tertiary
referral and academic center, a children’s
hospital; rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health
center, nursing home, an outpatient surgery center,
primary care offices, and an acute care hospital,
according to its web site.
GHS offers its patients many services and specialties
including a cancer center, oncology research institute,
heart institute, home health, women’s health,
neurology, and orthopedics.
Quality
of life
When it comes to living in Spartanburg and Greenville,
it’s not all business. Both cities offer a
many recreational activities and events that will
please just about anyone.
If you like to learn about local history, we’ve
got good news for you: Spartanburg and Greenville
have rich histories that are proudly displayed at
many museums.
For example, Spartanburg County’s history
dates back to colonial times and is on display at
every turn, Prevatte said. There are a number of
historic exhibits and buildings.
Cowpens National Battlefield, located off I-85 just
north of downtown, commemorates a major American
victory in 1781.
Other must-see historic sites in Spartanburg include:
Walnut Grove Plantation, the Seay House, the Price
House, the Hampton Heights Downtown District, Cowpens
Depot and Museum and the Glen Springs Historical
District, said Prevatte.
The Greenville County Museum of Art displays art
from all across the nation, and offers art classes
for all ages in the Museum School of Art.
Greenville also has a Confederate Museum, the History
Museum of Upcountry South Carolina, the Bob Jones
Museum and Gallery, and ImagineNation, which is
a children’s museum.
If shopping is more up your alley, then you’re
in luck. Both cities offer plenty of shopping opportunities.
“There
are many shopping districts in Spartanburg County,
each with a distinct personality,” Prevatte
said. The Downtown District is home to quaint boutiques,
jewelry stores, bookstores, and an international
market. Hillcrest Row includes many specialty shops,
as well as national stores. And Westgate Mall has
more than 150 shops and five department stores.
Greenville offers many choices when it comes to
shopping, said Buffett Timms. “Our downtown
area is home to many exquisite boutiques on Augusta
Road, so you can shop a little and then walk across
the street to eat at one of the many delicious restaurants
that Greenville has to offer,” she said.
The West End Historic District is an artsy shopping
area that features unique shops and restaurants,
as well as the West End Market and Falls Park on
the Reedy.
If you prefer to shop at malls, then you may want
to go to Haywood Mall, which consists of more than
100 stores, including five major department stores,
Buffett Timms said.
For those who like to enjoy the outdoors, both cities
offer existing residents, visitors and newcomers
plenty of choices when it comes to leisure time
activities.
In Spartanburg, children of all ages enjoy visiting
Barnet Park. Located downtown, it has scenic walkways,
sculptures, an interactive water fountain, as well
as Zimmerli Amphitheater, which frequently features
live music, said Prevatte.
Other parks in Spartanburg include Hatcher Garden
and Woodland Preserve, Croft State Park and Roger
Milliken Research and Customer Center, which consists
of more than 600 acres of trees, ponds, meadows
and fountains, she added.
Spartanburg County’s Parks and Recreation
Department operates 33 city and county parks including
the newly renovated Cleveland Park, which has picnic
facilities, a miniature train and a playground.
In Greenville, recreational choices abound for teens.
“The
Greenville County Recreation District recently created
a new water park in Southside Park features two
30-foot water slides, a lazy river and a wading
pool,” Hyatt said. “Plans are underway
to either expand this site or build another in a
different area of the county.”
Greenville also offers a variety of sports that
include rock climbing, BMX racing, golf, horseback
riding, ice hockey, ice skating, karate, tennis,
and swimming, Hyatt added.
“Plus,
Greenville received a $46.2 million contribution
to build a children’s facility (the Kroc Community
Center) in the downtown area. This will include
a basketball court,” Buffett Timms said.
While plans are still underway for the children’s
facility, designers of the center have mentioned
the possibility of having a skateboard park, a junior
golf course, an area for the performing arts, an
educational facility for all ages, and an ice rink.
For those who like to participate in family events,
both cities aren’t short on things to do.
Each year in Spartanburg, the city hosts the Miss
South Carolina Pageant (July), Carolina Panthers
Training Camp (August), Red, White & Boom (July
4 celebration), baseball at Duncan Park (summer),
Plum Hollow Alternative Bluegrass Festival (May,
October), a Greek Festival (September), Assault
on Mt. Mitchell (May), and Bike Town (May), Prevatte
said.
“Most
of the smaller, and quite quaint, towns in the county
have one or more festivals in the spring, summer,
and fall of the year,” Prevatte added. “Spartanburg
has something happening on almost a weekly basis
from Readings on the Square to Music on Main.”
For more information on events in Spartanburg County,
contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau toll-free
at 1-800-374-8326 or www.visitspartanburg.com.
“In
Greenville, we have plenty of events for everyone,”
Buffett Timms said. “We show old movies at
the Peace Center (for the Performing Arts), so parents
can grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and take their
children to watch a movie. On Thursdays, we host
Downtown Alive. During this free event, we shut
down an area of downtown and bands play rock and
roll music. It’s a way for people to jump-start
their weekend.”
On Fridays, there are jazz concerts that also feature
plenty of kiddie rides and delicious foods, she
added.
And every Saturday, there’s an open-air market
that features fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, cheeses
and homemade scarves, Buffett Timms said.
Love music? Then check out the Greenville Symphony
Orchestra or attend a play or musical at one of
the great venues around town. And every fall, the
city hosts Fall for Greenville, which highlights
five types of music and local restaurants share
their delicious foods with the residents, she added.
For those who like science, the Roper Mountain Science
Center may just be the place for you. The center
has a children’s lab, butterfly garden, planetarium
and an observatory.
And each year, Greenville hosts several holiday-themed
events.
Red, White and Blue celebrates Independence Day
and features music, activities for children, delicious
foods and a fireworks display, Buffett Timms said.
On the first Saturday in December, Greenville hosts
The Poinsettia Parade, which features floats, marching
bands, dancers, and, of course, a special appearance
by the jolly old elf (Santa), she said. For more
information about Greenville events, log on to the
Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.greatergreenville.com.
As you can see, the thriving businesses, top-notch
medical facilities, rich histories and leisure time
activities are just a few of the reasons why Greenville
and Spartanburg are wonderful places to call home.
