Spartanburg

Spartanburg
Spartanburg is a popular city. It is the largest city in the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. Spartanburg is known to be the second-largest city among the three primary cities in the Upstate area of South Carolina.

Spartanburg rests in a location that is quite unique. It holds a great deal of history, and anyone who visits here will realize what a difference some of the sites make to the landscape.

Many people who have come here have recommended others to travel here. You will not be disappointed with what you get, as it is not just an ordinary entertainment spot. Here, you get to experience a thick slice of history that you can digest as you move on from site to site on this amazing landscape.

Spartanburg is situated around 158 km northwest of Columbia, and 130 km west of Charlotte. It is also about 300 km northeast of Atlanta. Spartanburg's population numbered 39,673 at the time of the 2000 census.

The urbanized area of Spartanburg is much more in number, at nearly 150,000 in accordance with the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau figures. Spartanburg is the main city of the Spartanburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 266,809.

It is included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area, which has a grand population of 1,203,795 [2006 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau]. Apart from the landscape history of Spartanburg, there is also the indigenous history to relish.

Spartanburg was an important hunting ground of the Catawba and Cherokee tribes for centuries. They occupied land east and west of this region, respectively. Some of this heritage can still be seen in some of the remaining natural features. However, they are often neglected.

Cotton mills are in great numbers in the Spartanburg area, and have been around since 1816. These mills have earned Spartanburg the title, Lowell of the South. Though there were fewer mills in the area prior to the American Civil War, technological advances such as those that simplified work, northern capital, and out-migration from the poor farms, produced an era of postbellum mill development. This was true in much of the piedmont South.

In many places in this region, waterways descend quite abruptly. This however provides a source for plentiful waterpower. Cotton mills were erected by these rivers in order to generate power. It is from here that the regions King Cotton control commenced.

It was these mills, their owners as well as the labourers in these mills that dominated the politics and economy of this region for almost a hundred years. Today, many of these mills have been abandoned, but some remain along the riverbanks.

Needless to say, Spartanburg is full of interesting sites to see. Some well known sites that you can also enjoy are given below. It is worth noting that there are many of these sites to enjoy, and we have only mentioned few of them here.
? Glendale Mill is one that is located off of Lawsons Fork Creek, southeast of the city. Although it was consumed by fire many years ago, some towers and smokestacks are intact. This has provided a spectacular backdrop to the shoals, the dam, as well as the waterfalls of the creek below.
? Beaumont Mill, which is another spectacular site, is located north of downtown. It has been renovated in recent times to hold the Southern Conference headquarters.
? Converse Mill is situated to the east of the city, and lies alongside the Pacolet River. Recently, it was purchased by a developer whose precise plans for the site have not been unveiled yet. This mill had been reconstructed in 1903, following a massive flood that washed away the original building.

At the time when the United States entered World War I [in 1917], Camp Wadsworth was established near Westgate Mall. Camp Wadsworth was one of the sixteen divisional cantonments for the training of National Guard troops. A large number of South Carolina's troops were trained there apart from the large numbers of troops from New York State.

Spartanburg is truly an amazing place for one to see. The picturesque environment is one that is enthralling. Apart from the sites, it is the culture in the area that can be relished too. The locals there are quite friendly and realize when there is an outsider in the area.

They are accommodating and are helpful with providing directions to you. Indeed, there are many people who come here to enjoy the landscape and historical landmarks. These landmarks may not have stood the test of time, but have been preserved as mush as possible.