Random Connections – Page 155 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

Mayfield Road Bridge Update

February 24, 2009 Tom 2 Comments

Well, it looks like my exuberance was premature. I was able to find some additional information on the Internet which lists this bridge as being of fairly modern construction.

Dale. J. Travis operates a website devoted to round barns and covered bridges, both fascinating structures. He has a comprehensive listing from across the US, not just of historic structures but of modern construction as well. Travis lists thirteen bridges for South Carolina, including Campbell’s and this one on Mayfield Road. Most of these are decorative, and are found on golf courses and gardens.

According to Travis’ information, the Mayfield Bridge was built in 1991 and is about 25 feet in length. I’m guessing that it hasn’t been kept up since that time, so the tin roof has rusted, making it look older than it is.

Which brings me to the statement the man on the side of the road gave me. The only thing I can think is that he was referring to the actual roadway bridge. Who knows? Then again, maybe Mr. Travis has incorrect information. However, with every reputable reference saying that Campbell’s is “the last”, it’s hard to refute the evidence that this isn’t an authentic structure.

The Bridges of Spartanburg County

February 23, 2009 Tom 7 Comments

According to South Carolina: A Day at a Time, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is “the only covered bridge still standing in South Carolina.” My friend Duckhunter pointed me toward DiscoverSouthCarolina.com which says that Campbell’s “is South Carolina’s only remaining covered bridge.” Several other websites repeat this sentiment. So, imagine my surprise when I found this just … Read More “The Bridges of Spartanburg County” »

A Tower for Lake Fairfield?

February 23, 2009 Tom 4 Comments

Miscellaneous, Weirdness

One of my Twitter friends alerted me to an Aermotor Fire Tower that was being sold by North Carolina as surplus. The tower is described as follows: Fire Lookout Tower,72’9″”H with 6×6 Cab Tower and Steps are in useable condition Radio antennae do not come with the tower. **Location of Building: Off US Hwy 23 … Read More “A Tower for Lake Fairfield?” »

Concrete Heaven

February 21, 2009June 11, 2016 Tom 18 Comments

Local

NOTE: Lately I’ve gotten several questions asking about pricing, inventory, and contact information for this business. I Am NOT THE OWNER, NOR DO I HAVE ANY ASSOCIATION WITH THIS BUSINESS! I just wrote about my visit there.

Seriously, some of you need to learn how search engines work. If a link appears at the top of the list, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s that business, or the link you want.

Now on to the original post…

If it can be cast in concrete, chances are Estelle King sells it. If you’ve ever been through Ware Place, South Carolina, you’ve seen Estelle’s place at the intersection of Highways 25, 418, and 8. The over-sized concrete roosters and horses and lighthouses are hard to miss. The spry 84 year old has operated her lawn ornament shop for over thirty years now, and shows no sign of stopping.

We had driven down Augusta Road to Estelle’s place to find a couple of small concrete cats to memorialize our recently departed felines. When we arrive, Estelle was helping an elderly (probably younger than she is) woman load a large concrete birdbath into the woman’s trunk.

Remembering Rascal

February 19, 2009 Tom 5 Comments

Miscellaneous

Tuesday evening Rascal curled up as usual on our bed, lying on his back and purring while I rubbed his tummy. At 3:30 am he wanted out, despite the fact that it was raining. It was the last time we would see him. Rascal was missing for two days, by the end of which we … Read More “Remembering Rascal” »

3D Virtual Modeling with ARSights

February 19, 2009 Tom 2 Comments

General Technology

Have you ever held the Parthenon in your hand? In the picture above that’s what it looks like I’m doing. The image isn’t a Photoshop job, but a rendering by ARSights’ latest software. The system makes use of Google’s Sketchup 3D Modeling software. A gallery of significant architectural landmarks that have been created in Sketchup … Read More “3D Virtual Modeling with ARSights” »

Three Towers in Two Hours

February 18, 2009 Tom 1 Comment

Geocaching and Maps, History and Genealogy, Local

It was a beautiful day, so I decided to try to find some of these lookout towers I had been researching. I picked three that would be within driving range before it got dark. Since it was a quiet day I left the office at 4:00 and headed south toward my first target. 1. Hobbyville … Read More “Three Towers in Two Hours” »

Fire Towers – Paris Mountain and Cleveland

February 17, 2009 Tom 10 Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Photography

My first lookout tower adventure was actually Saturday afternoon, and I decided to hit a couple of local sites. That morning I had called my good friend Cathy Taylor (no relation) who is a park ranger at Paris Mountain State Park. It turns out that she has the same interest in fire towers, and was … Read More “Fire Towers – Paris Mountain and Cleveland” »

Searching for the Towers

February 17, 2009 Tom 2 Comments

Geocaching and Maps, Local, Miscellaneous

You would think that something that stands 100′ high would be easy to find. Certainly, when you’re close enough they are very visible. However, locating lookout tower sites on maps turns out to be harder than I had thought. I knew of several definite locations such as the Duncan Tower, Glassy Mountain, Paris Mountain, and … Read More “Searching for the Towers” »

All Along the Watchtower

February 15, 2009 Tom 6 Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Photography

This is going to be one of those multi-part posts. I’ve got tons of information on this subject, and it won’t be possible to put it all in one story.

I’ve always been fascinated by lookout towers. Near where I grew up in Laurens County there were two small monadnocks called the Little Knob and Big Knob. The Big Knob had a fire tower on it, and I longed to scale its steps and enjoy the view from the top. Some miles to the north is another prominent, larger monadnock with a fire tower – Paris Mountain. When I was around eight years old I did get to climb up the steps, but never made it into the cab at the top. I distinctly remember the trap door being padlocked when we got to the top.

I had forgotten all about the towers until just this past week. I had been looking for locations to do long-exposure photographs of I-85 for traffic trails when I spotted the Duncan lookout tower on the way home from work on Friday. At the intersection of Danzler and Victor Hill Roads it had a perfect view of the Interstate, so I went to explore. I found the tower in the front yard of a house on Victor Hill Road. The fence around its base now had a dog house within, and it was clear that the tower had not been used in years. I gave up on using this location as a photography platform, but now I wanted to learn more about the towers themselves, so a new quest was born.

Read More “All Along the Watchtower” »