Random Connections – Page 46 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

The Temple of Health

October 21, 2016October 27, 2016 Tom 5 Comments

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to send me down a rabbit-hole of research. In this case it was a name on a map. I was looking at an 1839 atlas of the United States on the Library of Congress website when I spotted an unusual name in Abbeville – the Temple of Health. It was listed as a place name. When I checked the 1825 Robert Mills Atlas for Abbeville District, the name was there, too. I was intrigued. Why would this spot in the backwoods of South Carolina come to be known as the “Temple of Health?”

Witches and Granny Witches

October 21, 2016October 23, 2016 Tom 5 Comments

Family, Weirdness

I never knew my Aunt Dess. She died when I was only three years old, so I don’t have any memories of her. Other siblings and cousins have said that she could be mean, and was a bit…unusual. You see, by all accounts Odessa Lee Taylor Poole, younger sister of my grandfather, was one of the last of the granny witches.

Quick Weekend in Florida

October 19, 2016October 19, 2016 Tom 1 Comment

Family, Paddling, Photography, Travel

We just got back last night from a quick trip down to Florida. Laura had a four-day weekend because it’s Fall Break at Furman, so we took the opportunity to head down and assist her sister Amy with their mom. It was also a birthday weekend for both sisters, so we tried to work in a joint celebration.

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In Search of Edward C. Jones – Part 3, the Trek to Spartanburg

October 7, 2016October 7, 2016 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Rambling

I was out and about searching for examples of buildings designed by 19th century architect Edward C. Jones. I had visited three locations in Henderson County, including the Mansouri Inn, St. John in the Wilderness, and Calvary Episcopal. It was now time to close the loop and head back to South Carolina. I only had one more target related to Edward Jones, but I was far from done with explorations.

In Search of Edward C. Jones – Part 2, the Trek through Henderson County

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Rambling

In Part 1 of this series I took a look at the legacy of Edward C. Jones, a South Carolina architect who until just a few weeks ago was unknown to me. Having done a bit of research, I decided it was time to do a bit of ground-truthing. Wednesday was an absolutely spectacular fall day, despite an oncoming hurricane, so I wanted to take advantage of the weather while it held. My ramble would take me on a loop up through North Carolina then back down through Spartanburg. As usual on these rambles, I made discoveries I never intended, and met some cool people along the way.

In Search of Edward C. Jones – Part 1, The Architect

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 Tom 2 Comments

History and Genealogy, Local

edward-c-jones-architect — Architect Edward C. Jones. Image found on Find-a-Grave.

Edward C. Jones was nowhere on my radar. His name was completely unfamiliar to me, which is odd, since I’m very familiar with so many of the buildings he designed. I knew lots about Robert Mills, Rudolph Lee, and other South Carolina architects, but for whatever reason, I’d not paid attention to Jones. That all changed a few weeks ago. John Nolan from Greenville History Tours posted a series of photographs featuring buildings that Jones had designed. Seeing them next to each other the similarities leaped out. I knew I needed to find out more about this architect, and the buildings he designed.

Congratulations to Kelsey and Joe!

October 2, 2016 Tom No Comments

Family

This weekend was one of celebration for our family. Yesterday my niece, Kelsey Claire Taylor, married Joe Ford. The setting at Hotel Domestique was beautiful, and it was a great time for our family to get together.

Mid-Week Jocassee

September 29, 2016 Tom 4 Comments

Paddling, Photography

Bennie Waddell and I have been trying to keep to our paddling schedule, even though we haven’t been able to make it work every week. Regardless of whether or not we can actually paddle that day (sickness, weather, conflict, etc., etc) I think it’s important that it at least be on the schedule. We’re more likely actually to hit the water than simply saying, “Oh we need to do X someday…” Wednesday the stars aligned, and we were both able to take the trip up to Lake Jocassee that we had missed last week. It was an excellent day of paddling.

Bull Island with the Upstate Minis

September 26, 2016 Tom 3 Comments

Paddling, Photography, Rambling, Travel

The Upstate Minis have been organizing some fantastic trips, lately, and I’ve been trying to take part in more of these. A few weeks ago Laura and I joined them for their X-Files Mystery Tour to PARI. This time, Jeff Goodman planned a trip down to the “Boneyard” on Bull Island to do some dawn photography. Sadly, Laura wasn’t able to go with us because of work. So, on Friday I swapped the Subaru for her Mini and joined the rest of the group for the drive down.

Paddling to Ghost Island

September 22, 2016September 22, 2016 Tom 3 Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Paddling, Photography, Rambling

Bennie and I have been trying to keep to our paddling schedule, but the fates have been against us. On this last day of summer we had a nice trip to Jocassee planned, but then illness struck, and Bennie was unable to go. I had my boat loaded up, so I decided I’d head on out anyway, with a slightly altered itinerary. I have been wanting to check out the old Harrisburg Plantation Cemetery on “Ghost Island” in Lake Hartwell, so that’s where I set my sights.

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