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Pendleton, SC

Pendleton is rich in history and offers a picturesque hometown square that calls to the shopper and the browser to stop and visit the unique shops, antique stores and enjoy lunch on the square.

 

The entire Town is listed on the national Register of Historic Places.  A walk through Pendleton takes one back in time to experience some stately antebellum mansions, historic churches and cemeteries, and more than 50 buildings predating 1850.  Settled in 1790 by Scots – Irish farmers who layed out the picturesque village green around which the Town developed.  In the center of the green is the oldest farmers hall in continuous use in the United States.  John C. Calhoun’s son-in-law Thomas Green Clemson proposed the development of a state agricultural college, now Clemson University, in the farmers hall.  

 

Another influence developed when wealthy plantation owners, aristocrats and statesmen flocked to the Upcountry to build summer homes in the more comfortable climate.  Woodburn and Ashtabula are examples of these historic plantation homes and are open to the public for tours, weddings and receptions.  Historic churches of the Pendleton area help to tell a part of the story of Pendleton.  The Old Stone Church, 1797, Presbyterian Church for citizens of Pendleton and outlying areas, was built of field stone by Revolutionary War veteran John Rusk and the clapboard St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1822, whose cemetery contains the graves of Mrs. John C. Calhoun, Thomas Green Clemson and Francis Burt, first governor of Nebraska, make for interesting visits.

 

Flanked by shops around the perimeter, the Town Square creates an ideal setting for festivals and events set up in the center.  The annual Spring Jubilee features unique, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, live entertainment, local food vendors , consistently drawing thousands to the two day event.  The Fall Harvest Festival offers old fashioned games for the kids, crafts, entertainment and food.  The newest feature, the Scarecrow event, offers nearly 100 scarecrows built by Townspeople and displayed all over town, making this another popular event drawing thousands to this community of just 3,000.

 

Pendleton is more than just history, shopping and festivals.  The Town is enjoying some recent development and has completed a study-recommendation to preserve the character of the Town Square while at the same time enhancing its business activity.

 

Pendleton is also home to the main campus of Tri-County Technical College.  This two year degree, diploma and certificate granting college, with over 5,000 students, is a major supplier of educated technical skills talent to employers throughout the Upstate.

Pendleton, with all it’s offerings, is a great place to visit and a great place to live.

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