Central and Clemson

One thing I love about living in the Upstate area are the small towns that are within driving distance from Greenville. Central and Clemson are two small towns that have so much to offer.

Central is a small university town that was founded in the late 1870's and got it's name from a railroad line. The railroad line started in Atlanta and ended in Charlotte. Central was the middle point--so that's how the name came about. The Atlantic and Richmond Air-line Railroad Company decided to keep their business in Central.

In 1918, many citizens of Central lost their lives due to the influenza breakout and the crash of 1929 was hard on the town. Central lost two banks and the mill stocks hit a low. It did take time for the town to recover and today Central is still growing with so much to offer.

Central is home to Southern Wesleyan University.

Train on Main Street

Train on Main Street

Library At Southern Wesleyan University

Entrance to Southern Wesleyan

Clemson is another university town that is rich in history. Clemson's first name was Calhoun named after John Calhoun who was the seventh Vice-President. Calhoun built his plantation(Fort Hill) in the area, but it was his son-in-law, Thomas Green Clemson who left the plantation to the state and Clemson College was founded (now Clemson University). Fort Hill is still on the University's property and is open to the public.

If you do have the chance to visit Clemson or the university, you will know you are getting close due to the large tiger paws on the road. They are everywhere!!!

Home to basketball and concerts

The famous tiger paw

Tillman Hall

Death Valley

Death Valley's East End Zone

The famous rock

Start of main street

Best
Tracy :)

Note: Some information I used in discussing Central came from the Central Heritage Society.