Good Events 2010 2011 Good Food Good Sleep Meetings  & Weather Information Event Registration Energize Abbeville Committee Alliance Fountain Belmont Inn Big Bob Burt-Stark Mansion Confederate Colonels Memorial Confederate Monument County Veterans Memorial Court Square Fort Pickens Monument John C. Calhoun Monument Major Thomas Dry Howie Monument McGowan-Barksdale- Bundy House Old Bank Building Opera House Secession Hill Trinity Episcopal Church Lake Secession Lake Russell Biking Trail Hiking Trail

Historic Attractions Abbeville was founded in 1758, a courthouse town and the county seat, built on a square near a large spring on land owned by General Andrew Pickens. Dr. John de la Howe, an early Huguenot, named the town for his hometown of Abbeville, France. The town of Abbeville was so actively involved in events relating to the Civil War that it claims the title "Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy". On November 22, 1860, Secession Hill was the site of the first public meeting organized to consider seceding from the Union. On May 2, 1865, at the Burt-Stark Mansion, President Jefferson Davis met for the last time with his Council of War and agreed to disband his Confederate troops. A tree-shaded square is surrounded with unique shops and stores, which as a result of their restoration to their 19th century appearance, display their original colors and styles. The Abbeville Opera House was restored to its original splendor in 1968. In 1984, the Belmont Inn was renovated, completing the restoration of the historic square. The 20th Century Fox movie, "Sleeping With the Enemy" starring Julia Roberts was filmed here. Alliance Fountain One of 125 watering troughs/fountains presented to communities around the U.S. in the early 1900's by National Humane Alliance to improve the lot of workhorses. Abbeville's 5-ton fountain, one of the few still in original location, was installed as a watering trough in 1912. Ir features ingenious design of water flowing from lions' mouth into basin of polished Maine granite trimmed with bronze - upper bowl for horses & small cups at bottom for cats & dogs. Belmont Inn Opened August 1903 as $30,000 hotel "The Eureka" under management W.T. McFall. It was built to cater to "drummers" of the textile trade with 30 rooms and 1 public bath. Banquet rooms used to show their wares while Curtain Call Lounge was a barber shop. Touring theatre companies performing at the Opera House also stayed there during railway stopovers in Abbeville. Closed in early 1970s but restored and reopened in 1984 as the "Belmont Inn" full service hotel with 25 rooms. Big Bob This Alarm Bell was acquired during the term of Robert McGowan Hill, Mayor, 1892-1898. It was named for him, and served on top of the Opera House. Burt-Stark Mansion A National Landmark, this Greek Revival historic home was built in the 1830s. When Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, left Richmond after its fall in April 1865, he traveled south, trying to reach and rally the remnants of his army. Here, at the home of Colonel Burt, President Jefferson Davis held the last Confederate Council of War on May 2, 1865. He met with Secretary of War Breckenridge, Gen. Braxton Bragg, and 5 brigade generals; all agreed the only hope was for Davis to elude nearby U.S. cavalry and escape west. Though Davis passed safely through South Carolina, he was seized in Georgia on May 10th. Abbeville is nicknamed "the deathbed of the Confederacy," as a result of this meeting. Located at the intersection of North Main and Greenville Streets, Abbeville. Open Friday and Saturday 1:30pm-5pm February-May and September-December. Open Tuesday-Saturday 1:30pm-5pm June -August. Closed January and holidays. By appointment anytime including holidays. Admission. For information call 864-366-0166 or 864/366-4600 Confederate Colonels of Abbeville Memorial Augustus J. Lythgoe, 19 S.C. Inf. Killed Murfreesboro, 1862 J. Foster Marshall, Orr's Rifles Killed Second Manassas, 1862 George M. Miller, Orr's Rifles Wounded Spotsylvania, 1864 James M. Perrin, Orr's Rifles Killed Chancellorsville, 1863 Thomas Thomson, Moore's Rifles Served Oct. 22, 1861-Dec. 10, 1863 Confederate Monument The first Confederate Monument, placed in the public square and unveiled on August 23, 1906, was erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy in honor of the soldiers from the Abbeville District who served in the Civil War. It was destroyed by fire on December 28, 1991. A “new” Confederate Monument was hand-carved by Dario Franco Rossi, an Italian artist and sculptor. A dedication and unveiling was held on December 14, 1996. County Veterans Memorial In Grateful Memory of our loves ones from Abbeville County who stand in the unbroken lines of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. "They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them." Court Square The heart of Abbeville's Historic District is the magnificent tree-shaded Court Square. Located here is the replica of the original Confederate Monument erected in August, 1906 by the Daughters of the Confederacy, an old iron bell once used as the town fire alarm, and the Humane Society Alliance Fountain. Fort Pickens Monument This stone marks the place where, in 1767, Gen. Andrew Pickens built a Block House as a place of refuge against the Indians. It was used as a fort during the Revolutionary War and was known as Fort Pickens. John C. Calhoun Law Offices Monument Near here, from 1807 to 1817, were situated the law offices of John C. Calhoun. Born in the Long Canes District of Abbeville March 18, 1782. Died, Washington D.C. March 31, 1850. Member of Congress 1811-1817 Secretary of War 1817-1825 Vice President of the United States 1825-1832 United States Senator 1832-1842, 1845-1850 Secretary of State 1844-1845 Major Thomas Dry Howie Monument Commander, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry, 29th Division U.S. Army - 1908-1944 - The Major of St. Lo. He fell during the liberation of Normandy and was taken by his troops into St. Lo. His flag-draped body was enshrined in the ruins of Ste. Croix Church and was saluted by his passing soldiers. Buried in St. Lauren Military Cemetery • Dead in France • Deathless in Fame McGowan-Barksdale-Bundy House This 1888 Queen Anne house was the home of Gen. Samuel McGowan (1819-1897) until his death. McGowan, a lawyer, Confederate general, and jurist born in Laurens Co., had moved to Abbeville in 1841. He was an officer during the Mexican War and in the S.C. militia after it. During the Civil War he commanded the 14th S.C. Infantry 1862-63 and commanded a S.C. brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia 1863-65. McGowan served as a justice on the S.C. Supreme Court 1879-93. For information call 864/366-4600 Old Bank Building Designed by S. Henry James to house first Bank of South Carolina in the Upstate (later became National Bank of Abbeville). One of oldest remaining buildings on the Square (ca. 1865) after a series of downtown fires in 1870s destroyed much of downtown. Bank lobby features series of 1922 paintings by Wilbur Kurtz depicting a hundred years of Abbeville's history from Gen. Andrew Pickens to Jefferson Davis' Last War Council Meeting. (Remained a bank until end of 1995 when donated to the City by Nations Bank.) Opera House Abbeville was a railway stopover for "road companies" traveling eastern seaboard from New York to Atlanta so town included an Opera House in its new municipal building designed by Edwards & Walter of Atlanta. Dedicated October 1st, 1908 along with Court House • Many well known artists appeared in 250 live performances staged by traveling companies including dramas, minstrel shows, vaudeville • 1910 "moving pictures" began playing weekly alongside stage shows• Fully restored in 1968 by Abbeville Community Theatre with live performances staged year round again in an elegant turn-of-the-century setting. Free tours daily except at rehearsal times. Secession Hill Site where local citizens gathered on November 22, 1860 to adopt the ordinance of South Carolina's secession from the Union. It was here that delegates to the December 17, 1860 secession convention in Columbia, South Carolina were selected. Abbeville is nicknamed "the birthplace of the Confederacy," as the meeting on Secession Hill ultimately led to its formation. Trinity Episcopal Church For more than 125 years, this church has stood as a historical and spiritual landmark. The stained glass Chancel window, given by a church in Greenville and made in England, was delivered to Trinity after being run through a Charleston blockade. Cemetery to rear and down left of church. Graves date from 1850. Located at the end of Trinity Street, Abbeville, just off the Town Square to the west. Open weekdays and Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-4pm. For information call 864/366-4600 Lake Secession - Boating, Fishing, Swimming Located along the Rocky River above the headwaters of Lake Russell, Lake Secession is owned by the City of Abbeville and is used primarily for municipal power production. A popular recreation spot, the lake has many private residences along its shoreline. Boat Access - Barton’s Landing, Hwy. 184 near Antreville Lake Richard B. Russell - Boating, Fishing, Swimming The newest of the Corps of Engineers hydroelectric lakes along the Savannah River, Lake Russell was completed in 1985 and named for the late Georgia senator, Richard B. Russell. Located mostly in Abbeville County, it has about 550 miles of shoreline and covers 26,650 acres. Around 1,500 acres of the lake are flooded timber, an excellent habitat for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and trout. Bass and crappie are best in Spring. Lake Russell offers exceptional bluegill fishing for a large reservoir. Traditionally, the best fishing for bedding bluegill takes place in May and June. There are more than twelve public access points on the South Carolina side of Lake Russell. Boat Access - Felkel, off SC 81 North near Lowndesville Biking Trail - Parson’s Mountain Motorcycle Trail 12.6 mile trail, follows old logging roads across hardwood bottoms and pine plantations. The trail crosses several Forest Service roads, allowing the rider to determine length and duration. Directions from Abbeville: Take SC 28 South 5 miles. Left (east) on FS 515. 0.3 miles to trailhead on right. Contact: US Forest Service 803/637-5396 Hiking Trail - Parson’s Mountain Hiking Trails Two trails start at the recreation area. A 1.4 mile trail climbs 400 feet in elevation from the lake to the fire tower, passing gold mines along the way. Another 1 mile interpretive trail is self-guided and depicts activities of the early settlers. Directions from Abbeville: Take SC28 South 2.1 miles. Turn left on Rd. #1-251, drive 1.5 miles to entrance on the right. Contact: US Forest Service 803/637-5396

Alliance Fountain Belmont Inn Big Bob Burt-Stark Confederate Colonels Confederate Monument County Veterans Memorial Calhoun Monument Howie Monument McGowan House Old Bank Opera House Trinity Church