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    Aiken
    Aiken
    Aiken
    Ebook201 pages1 hour

    Aiken

    By Paul Miles

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    About this ebook

    It seems unlikely that a place as far off the beaten track as Aiken, South Carolina, would become the preferred wintering location for the denizens of New York society. But from the late 1800s, the most recognized names in America--the Vanderbilts, the Whitneys, and even the Roosevelts--began coming to this charming Southern city to escape the cold, relax among the oaks, and play. And play they did, establishing Aiken as an international polo capital and a premier place to ride, hunt, and golf. Aiken has so much history beyond the folks known as the winter colonists. Legends of the area's restorative powers date back to Native Americans. Aiken also boasts an amazing number of records, including the destination for the world's longest railroad in 1833 and the second-oldest 18-hole golf course in the United States, the Palmetto Golf Club, built in 1892.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781439626733
    Aiken

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      Book preview

      Aiken - Paul Miles

      Hall.)

      INTRODUCTION

      Though it is a bit off the beaten path, for decades and even centuries, many people have sought out Aiken, South Carolina, as the place to be. The quiet beauty of the area with its stately oaks and fragrant pines is unsurpassed. Special geographical and climatological features have helped establish a community and lifestyle that has set this place apart. For well over 100 years, Aiken has been known as the Winter Colony, a homage to the fact that the well-heeled would congregate in this unassuming area to escape the Northern cold; however, Aiken’s claim on history goes far beyond this nickname.

      Native Americans were the first to stake claim in the region, coming to the area midway between mountains and seashore to endure winters. The temperate climate and abundant springs were also appealing to European settlers, who felt that living in the area was not just desirable, but good for their health.

      In the early 1800s, the fields around the tiny town were blanketed with growing bolls of cotton. The term cotton is king was first coined by Aiken neighbor John Henry Hammond. Looking for an economic way to get their crops to market, a group of plantation owners worked to build a railroad to the sea, where their cotton would then be shipped around the world.

      The name Aiken itself pays tribute to William Aiken, who in 1827 helped charter the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company connecting Charleston to Hamburg. Ironically, Aiken died before the rail line could be completed after a train whistle spooked the horse pulling his carriage. The line was an ambitious gamble that paid off. The rail enterprise produced the longest steam railroad in the world and soon changed the face of what until then had been only a small crossroads community.

      While the rail was established to help transport cotton and other products, it also opened the door for tourists who came to take advantage of the temperate climate. The region began advertising itself as a health resort, inviting visitors to come breathe the fresh piney air. People began to heed the call, and soon Aiken was hosting those who wanted to reap the benefits of such a healthful community.

      That growth was interrupted by the Civil War. Near the conflict’s end, Aiken became the site of a vicious battle and one of the South’s few decisive victories. With Gen. William T. Sherman determined to make South Carolina pay for seceding from the Union, he sent one of his most brutal generals, Maj. Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, to Aiken to destroy it and nearby mills. Confederate general Joseph Fightin’ Joe Wheeler was determined not to let that happen. In a fight on the streets of Aiken, which in some cases resulted in hand-to-hand struggles, Wheeler was able to thwart Kilpatrick’s efforts, leaving the Union general’s cavalry in complete disarray. Kilpatrick fully withdrew from the region, a small but important victory for the Confederacy.

      After the war and the rebuilding of Aiken’s railroad, tourists returned and brought with them a great prosperity for the region. Initially coming for health reasons, a growing group of wealthy businessmen discovered Aiken to be an ideal place to raise horses. Grand inns, mansions, and enclaves were built as Aiken became known as the Winter Colony for the rich and famous.

      Lead by the seemingly tireless couple Thomas and Louise Hitchcock, the colonists created a playground for themselves. William C. Whitney joined the Hitchcocks in purchasing 8,000 acres of land to be used for sporting activities. A part of this property is today’s Hitchcock Woods, the largest urban forest in the United States.

      The Hitchcocks’ and Whitney’s vision for Aiken and its people had a lasting impact on today’s community. Responding to their invitation, visitors began arriving by the trainloads to escape Northern winters and enjoy outdoor sports of every imaginable form. Society columns of Northern newspapers and magazines kept a close eye on the activities of the small town that they were calling the Newport of the South. At one point there was even direct rail service from New York City’s Penn Station to downtown Aiken. Vanderbilt, Post, and Astor were just some of the names associated with industry leaders who were regulars in Aiken. They were joined by a host of celebrities and politicians. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s private railcar would deposit him at the private entrance to the Willcox Hotel.

      Aiken’s climate and terrain were deemed unmatched when it came to raising and training horses. Many of the nation’s equestrian activities were shaped by the people and events in Aiken. Horse shows, races, steeplechase, and polo still bring visitors from throughout the world to be a part of some of the internationally recognized competitions that take place.

      Another important sport to the people of Aiken is golf. Built in 1892 by Thomas Hitchcock, Palmetto Golf Club was one of the first golf courses built in the South. To this day, it remains one of the country’s most respected clubs and is the oldest 18-hole course to continue to operate in the same location.

      Many Winter Colonists put down roots in the community, building hospitals and schools, and establishing the town’s fire department. Louise Hitchcock established a private school, Aiken Preparatory. Considered one of the best private schools in the United States, Aiken Prep is the only junior boarding school in the Southeast.

      The cold war changed the look of the region when the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission chose Aiken, Barnwell, and Allendale counties to create a repository for nuclear waste. The government bought all of the land of the small town of Ellenton and displaced its residents to establish what is now the Savannah River Site. SRS is one of Aiken’s largest employers.

      The Aiken of today is a thriving community that holds fast to the genteel lifestyle around which it grew. With so many streets in the downtown historic area still unpaved, it’s easy to get a glimpse of the past as you watch riders walking their horses toward Hitchcock Woods or see a carriage making its way along one of the wide tree-lined avenues. Visitors

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