What makes a town a "southern town?" According to the all-knowing beast called the "Internet," being "southern" means you belong to a subculture in the United States. Check...I'd agree with that. In addition, being southern means you have a unique history belonging only to the region in the United States referred to as "The South." Check. No arguments here, except the Internet is guilty of overgeneralizing.
According to Wikipedia, being "southern" means you may be more socially conservative than the rest of the country. Wait just a minute. Let's keep politics out of this article, if we can.
So where is that one spot in South Carolina that's so "perfectly southern?" It's Aiken.
Founded in 1835, Aiken was named after the president of the South Carolina Railroad, William Aiken. But the City of Aiken's true southern stripes were earned in February of 1865 during the Battle of Aiken in the Civil War.
Each year, during the last weekend in February in Aiken, hundreds of proud southerners gather at the annual reenactment of that event in an effort to relive one of the last battles of the Civil War. But Civil War heritage and pride aren't all that make Aiken so perfectly Southern.
It's hard to believe, but some people are surprised to learn that Aiken is horse country.
For starters, fox hunting has been a regular part of Aiken since 1914. The regular "hunting" season runs from October through March. And where do they hunt? Right on the edge of town in one of the largest urban parks in the nation. Hitchcock Woods encompasses 2,100 acres and has 70 miles of sandy trails perfect for a fox hunt.
Horses are so much a part of the culture in Aiken that it's not uncommon to share the road with a horse, or two.
All this casual horse-lovin' aside, perhaps the most glaring reason for Aiken's prominence among horse enthusiasts is the fact that at least 39 champions have trained here in Aiken. It's true. And you can visit the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Aiken to see a shrine dedicated to each and every one of those champions.
Don't be surprised to see horses or statues of horses in places other than the track and pastures in this southern town. But Aiken is so much more than "just a horse town." What else makes this charming place so "perfectly southern?"
In addition to the city's proud ties to the Civil War and to the thoroughbred racing world, Aiken boasts a few other things that are simply southern, like South Boundary Ave.
This fantasic tunnel of trees is a delight, with blooming azaleas and dogwoods, in season.
A part of the "unique history" shared by the South was the arrival of the railroad and its influence on how so many towns got off the ground.At the start of the rail boom in the states, South Carolina chartered its first railroad in 1827. Aiken played a huge role in that first railway. As a result, Aiken's railroad heritage runs wide and deep. This southern city was founded around the terminus of the line, the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company.
Today, the old depot houses the Aiken Visitors Center as well as the rail museum. It also serves as the origination point for Aiken's historical trolley tours.
And finally, Wikipedia's definition of "Southern" includes a claim that southern folk have a very strong attachment to their churches. This perfectly southern town's adherence to that point is clearly evident by the historic churches in Aiken, like St. Thaddeaus Episcopal Church (above) built in 1842, and St. Mary Help of Christians Church (below) completed in 1880 and1905.
If there's one more thing Aiken brings to the table that makes this city so perfectly southern, it's hospitality. Not just any hospitality, but Southern Hospitality. It's that irresistible charm that people from above the Mason Dixon love about the South.
Whether you spend a day, a night, a weekend, or lifetime in Aiken, this perfectly southern "town" will make you fall in love with the South all over again.
Have you been to this perfectly southern town? We'd love to know and to see your photos uploaded in our comments on Facebook!
If you love visiting new places in South Carolina, then you'll love This Tiny Town In South Carolina Has The Most Mouthwatering Restaurant.
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