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Category: Local

Local items of interest from Greenville and Upstate SC.

In Search of the Road Builder

Posted on January 29, 2023January 30, 2023 By Tom No Comments on In Search of the Road Builder
History and Genealogy, Local

One of the rare non-rainy days this week I found myself wandering up to Jones Gap State Park. It was a beautiful brisk day as I walked along the trail, enjoying the rush of the Middle Saluda Waters. My mind, though, was thrown back several decades into the past, when I haunted these trails as … Read More “In Search of the Road Builder” »

The Haunting of Farr’s Bridge

Posted on October 17, 2022 By Tom 4 Comments on The Haunting of Farr’s Bridge
History and Genealogy, Local, Miscellaneous

There’s something about bridges, particularly old ones, that lend themselves to tales of ghosts and hauntings. These structures are ripe for tragedy, crossing potentially hazardous places such as waterways or chasms. Here in Upstate South Carolina alone there are many stories about haunted bridges such as Poinsett Bridge in Greenville County, Booger Jim Bridge in … Read More “The Haunting of Farr’s Bridge” »

The Remnants of the City

Posted on March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 By Tom 2 Comments on The Remnants of the City
History and Genealogy, Local

I love ghost towns.  I love seeing a place and imagining what must have been there, the lives lived, and activity of commerce that must have taken place.  But even living cities have their ghosts.  Some of these are obvious – abandoned buildings, forgotten cemeteries, old rail beds, and stairs that seemingly lead nowhere.  Some … Read More “The Remnants of the City” »

Local Music Session Round-Up

Posted on March 9, 2022March 9, 2022 By Tom No Comments on Local Music Session Round-Up
Local, Music

I’ve been playing in lots of music venues lately. My standard two have been the Pickens Flea Market and Gramling Opry House. I finally got around to visiting the Oolenoy Bluegrass Jam, both on New Year’s Day and on their regular Friday night session. Table Rock has also started back up with their bluegrass sessions. … Read More “Local Music Session Round-Up” »

The Allen Parkins Project

Posted on July 24, 2020July 27, 2020 By Tom 1 Comment on The Allen Parkins Project
History and Genealogy, Local

When I’m out exploring I’m easily distracted by roads with names that contain the words “School”, “Church”, or “Mill.” This is usually an indicator that there was, or possibly still is something historic and of interest on that road. For some reason, Parkins Mill Road in Greenville has escaped my scrutiny. Perhaps it’s because it’s … Read More “The Allen Parkins Project” »

Celtic Cosplay in Asheville

Posted on February 16, 2020February 16, 2020 By Tom No Comments on Celtic Cosplay in Asheville
Entertainment, Local, Miscellaneous

Since I no longer have a regular choir gig with rehearsals on Wednesday evenings I’ve been going to the Celtic jam sessions at the Stomping Grounds in Greer. I’ve been enjoying those so much that I’ve been looking for other outlets. So when I spotted that the Asheville Celtic Festival was happening, I knew I … Read More “Celtic Cosplay in Asheville” »

Exploring Underground Anderson

Posted on October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 By Tom 1 Comment on Exploring Underground Anderson
History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Rambling

For many years I’ve known about the underground railroad passage in Anderson, South Carolina. The passage hints at a forgotten history and neglected part of the city. I’ve visited the entrances to the passageway several times, but just never got up the nerve to explore it by myself. This past week fellow explorer Alan Russell joined me, and together we finally got a chance to explore Underground Anderson.

Exploring Berry Shoals Pond from Tygerberry

Posted on September 28, 2019September 28, 2019 By Tom 2 Comments on Exploring Berry Shoals Pond from Tygerberry
Geocaching and Maps, History and Genealogy, Local, Paddling

For many years I drove over the bridge over the South Tyger River at Berry Shoals, looking longingly at the old steel trestle bridge downstream and the twin lakes of Berry Shoals Pond and Silver Lake. I wanted to explore the area. However, I was always in route to one of my schools or on some other school district business, so I never got a chance to explore…until now. Sadly, my explorations were cut short, all for want of a hat.

The Oeland Churches

Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 By Tom 5 Comments on The Oeland Churches
History and Genealogy, Local, Miscellaneous, Religion

For many years I was music director at McCarter Presbyterian Church here in Greenville. McCarter is a small church located prominently at the intersection of Pelham Road and East North Street, a spot it has occupied for the past 123 years. It seemed a unique little church in the bustle of a major neighborhood that somehow managed to survive.
But then I found out that it wasn’t unique.

Full Moon at Half-Moon

Posted on September 2, 2019September 2, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Full Moon at Half-Moon
Local, Photography

Last spring a guy with the unusual name of Beezer Molton contacted me about a photo. It turns out that Beezer is the owner of the Half-Moon Outfitters franchise. The Greenville store would be moving into a new store and he wanted a large print of the above photo to go into the new location. … Read More “Full Moon at Half-Moon” »

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