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Lancaster County
Lancaster County and the
City of Lancaster are rich in history - from the Revolutionary War
period, the Antebellum South, the Civil War, to the modern era
where the community became home to one of the largest textile
companies in the world.
Downtown Lancaster
The City of Lancaster, a
beautiful historic town of approximately 10,000 residents, has
retained its Southern hospitality and charm.
 The
City was home to the Springs Family, the founders of Springs
Textile Company, one of the world's largest textile manufacturers.
Springs Textiles remains in operation today and there are several
beautiful old mills in the area to view as well as the former
Springs home which is located downtown and is now the home to the
Lancaster Council for the Arts.
Lancaster serves as the
County Seat of Lancaster County and the historic Lancaster County Courthouse, constructed in 1828
and designed by renowned architect Robert Mills whose work
includes the Washington Monument, the U.S. Treasury Building, and
several Courthouses across the South.
The Courthouse is currently undergoing major repairs after an
arsonist set fire to the structure in the fall of 2008.
However, the outside of the structure remains with most of the
damage inside the building. Plans call for the Courthouse to
be restored to its original grandeur and serve as a museum and
site for community events. Below are pictures prior to the
fire and a photo of the building as the Lancaster Fire Department
fought to save the most historic structure in the County - a
building that neither Sherman's Army nor a modern-day arsonist
could destroy.
Famous Lancaster County
residents include President Andrew Jackson who was born in
northern Lancaster County; Colonel Leroy Springs, who earned fame
as a World War I flying ace and later the founder of Springs
Textile Company; Astronaut Charles Duke who visited the moon on
Apollo 16; and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist sprinter Shawn Crawford,
to name a few.
USC-Lancaser Performing Arts Series at Bundy Auditorium
Fast becoming
one of the most popular venues for entertainment is the USC-Lancaster
Performing Arts Series at Bundy Auditorium. Throughout the
year, the facility on the campus of the University of South
Carolina at Lancaster serves as host to top name entertainment.
Past shows include visits from 3 Dog Night, The Fifth Dimension,
and Chairman of the Board, among others. The newly renovated
auditorium is only 5 minutes from Kilburnie. For more
information about upcoming shows and tickets visit their web site
by clicking
here.
Downtown Area Shopping
Downtown
Lancaster recently received a facelift with the completion of the
City's streetscape project. New sidewalks, building facade
improvements, landscaping, and lighting have improved upon the
charm of the City. Plus, visitors are made to feel welcome
anywhere in Lancaster, especially in the downtown area where you
can take a historic walking tour, visit a quaint coffee house,
shop our unique shops, or take in dinner or lunch.
Like most small Southern towns, Lancaster has its mix of quaint
specialty shops, antique stores, and other interesting
establishments. The Main Street corridor of downtown
Lancaster, from the historic Robert Mills Courthouse to the L&C
Railroad headquarters, has several shops to keep you busy. You can
learn more about what's available to you and what's going on in
downtown Lancaster by visiting our tourist information agency and
their web site at
SeeLancaster.com.
Downtown & Area Dining
From fast food to
Southern and Low Country cuisine, you can find it in Lancaster
County. The City is blessed with several
restaurants that offer great meals for breakfast, lunch or
dinner. Visitors to Kilburnie who have visited Lancaster
sing the praises of many of our restaurants especially;
 Charley's
Cafe & Catering, located on Main Street, offers
wonderful dining in
a historic building with a menu that will keep you busy in trying
to figure out what to order. American, Southern, Italian,
and South Carolina Low Country fare dot the menu and there is a
full-service bar. Plus, don't forget to try their delicious
homemade desserts. Other eateries that claim distinction
include:
 521
BBQ is located north of Kilburnie on U.S. 521 in the
Indian Land community near Charlotte. The restaurant
offers Southern BBQ and other American fare.
The Catawba
Fish Camp offers a true Southern fish camp experience just 10
miles from Kilburnie on SC Highway 9 West just across the Catawba
River from Lancaster County.
There are several other
eateries in Lancaster County to choose from including
establishments that offer American, Mexican, Chinese, and home
cooked meals as well as chain restaurants including Applebee's,
McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Hardee's.
Festivals & Events
Not a month goes by
where there isn't a festival or event to attend in Lancaster
County. Some of these festivals include:
 Andrew Jackson
Birthday Party
Andrew Jackson State Park
9 Mi. N. of Lancaster on Hwy 521
Annual festival focuses on the history of the Revolutionary War
era, with re-enactors, living history demonstrations of life
during Colonial times, children's Colonial games, food and more.
 Carolina
Legends Festival
Andrew Jackson State Park
9 Mi. N. of Lancaster on Hwy 521
Held annually the Saturday before Mother's Day. Celebrates
bluegrass, traditional mountain and folk music. Performances
all day in the amphitheater, plus 'parking lot pickin,' music
workshops, children's activities and food. Co-sponsored by
SCPRT and the Lancaster County Council of the Arts. Details,
call 803.285.7451.
Indian Land Spring Festival
Indian Land Elementary/Middle School
Doby's Bridge Rd., just off Hwy 521
Annual spring festival held in early April features children's
games & rides, food, arts & craft vendors, live entertainment
and more. Proceeds go for school educational projects.
Sponsored by the ILEMS PTA
Art Expedition
Bi-Annual Art Crawl, held April and October in downtown
Lancaster. Visit galleries, downtown merchants and restaurants
featuring art, pottery and sculpture by local artists. Snack on
luscious hors d'ouevres and sip from a glass of wine or punch as
you browse through your tour.
 Lilyfest
Landsford Canal State Park
1989 Park Drive, Catawba, SC 29704
(803) 789-5800
Held in mid-May, the annual Lilyfest celebrates the peak bloom
period of the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily. Live entertainment,
food, educational displays and of course, a hike to the overlook
to view the lilies.
Kershaw Hog Jam
 An
annual BBQ Cookoff Competition in the Town of Kershaw in
southern Lancaster County just 15 minutes from Kilburnie.
This festival is fast becoming a favorite in the region with
lots of BBQ & fixin's. Cookers from around the Carolinas compete
for trophies and cash prizes.
 Friday
at Last
Held last Friday of May, June & July - live entertainment,
children's games and activities, dancing, food and more. Host
city progresses from Lancaster to Heath Springs to Kershaw.
Details, call 803.286.1145.
Charlesboro 4th of July Parade
Annual parade & family style gathering on Taxahaw Rd in
Southeast Lancaster County. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. Open to any
vehicle displaying an American Flag. Parade-watchers, bring lawn
chairs and stay awile!.
Heath Springs 4th of July Celebration
Food, children¹s rides and games, an evening parade and street
dance, capped off with fireworks.
 Unity
in the Community
Downtown Lancaster
Held annually in June, with sports competitions, activities,
games and food. Sponsored by Lancaster Fatherhood Project.
Details, call 803.283.3444.
Celebrate Van Wyck Festival
Annual fall festival with Crafts, food, rides, car show,
children's activities, live entertainment and more.
Christmas Parade & Christmas Happening
Downtown Lancaster. Annual Christmas parade, live entertainment,
games, children's activities, crafts & other vendors, food and
more. Co-sponsored by the City of Lancaster & See Lancaster.
Golf & Recreation
If you love the outdoors you'll love Lancaster County.
From boating and watersports on Lake Wateree or the 6,000-acre
Fishing Creek Reservoir, to hunting deer, turkey, pheasant, and
other in-season game, you'll find our area accommodating.
 There
are several golf courses in the area including the Kershaw Golf
Course, and the Lancaster Country Club. The new Sun City
Carolina Lakes championship course is now open just 15 miles
north of Kilburnie at the Sun City retirement community and is
open to the public. There is also a beautiful and
challenging new course on Fishing Creek Reservoir at the
Edgewater development less than 10 miles from Kilburnie.
In fact, you could play five outstanding courses within a
20-minute drive of Kilburnie:
Sun City
Carolina Lakes Golf Course is located 15 miles north of
Kilburnie on U.S. 521 North. The course is located inside
the Sun City retirement village but the golf course is open to
the public. The course is as beautiful as it is
challenging with holes leading you to the Catawba River and
back. Phone: (803) 547-9688. The golf course web
site is:
www.carolinalakesgc.com
Edgewater
Golf Course is the newest course in Lancaster County and is
set against a beautiful backdrop of Carolina Pines, Fishing
Creek Reservoir and the Catawba River in the new Edgewater
community development. Just 10 miles from Kilburnie the
course is located off Bethel Boat Landing Road. We suggest
calling for directions or getting directions from the web site.
Phone: (803) 283-9800. Web site at
www.edgewatergc.com
Lancaster Golf Course, Airport Road, Lancaster, SC.
Open to the public. The course is a five minute drive from
Kilburnie. Phone: (803) 416-4500. The web site
for the course is:
www.leroysprings.com
Kershaw
Country Club, public course located at
301 Country Club Drive in Kershaw, SC. The course is a 15
minute drive from Kilburnie. Phone:
(803) 475-2104
Bermuda
Run Golf Club is located 25 minutes from Kilburnie just off
SC Highway 903 at 1928 McBee Highway, in Jefferson, SC.
Phone: (803) 475-2884.
Ballantyne
Golf Course is part of the 5-star Ballantyne Resort.
Located 20 miles north of Kilburnie on U.S. Highway 521 North,
just across the North Carolina state line, the Ballantyne golf
course is open to the public. Located at 10000 Ballantyne
Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC. Phone: (704)
248-4383. Web site:
www.ballantyneresort.com/golf.
The Catawba River
The Catawba River flows along the entire eastern border of
Lancaster County and offers water enthusiasts with a multitude
of recreational opportunities including canoeing, kayaking,
boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. Lake Wateree
is located in extreme southern Lancaster County and Fishing
Creek Reservoir is located just south of the City of Lancaster.
Ride...or Learn to Ride!
 Leg
Up Equestrian is a Combined Training (dressage, jumping,
cross-country) and Horse Mastership School, located just 20
miles north of Kilburnie on U.S. Highway 521 . The school is
situated in a beautiful, quiet, pastoral setting with open
grazing pastures and wooded acreage. With a primary focus on
teaching, training and learning, our riding programs have earned
us a solid reputation in the equestrian community and praise
among our many friends and long-term clients. Learn more
at their website at:
www.legupequestrian.com.
Soar the Skies!
 So you've never air glided? Many of us haven't but it is
an excursion you might well enjoy.
Bermuda High Soaring School
is a flight training facility totally dedicated to promoting all
aspects of the sport of soaring. Originally started in 1963 by
Mr. Stan Hoke in Chester, SC, Bermuda High has grown to be the
largest soaring operation east of the Mississippi.
Auto Racing
If you enjoy
racing the way is used to be, the Lancaster Speedway is truly
the "Grand Daddy" of local tracks. It's one of the oldest
surviving dirt tracks in the south. It was built by a group of
Lancaster men headed by the late Herman "Hump" Poovey. The first
race was held in 1954 with a huge crowd on hand. The track
hosted two Nascar races in 1957. The track is just 2 miles
from Kilburnie just off U.S. 521. You can learn more at
their website:
www.lancasterspeedway.net.
Carolina
Motorosports Park is a premier road course that offers driving
opportunities and spectator opportunities throughout the year.
The road course is located 20 miles south of Kilburnie, 3.5
miles south of the Town of Kershaw on U.S. 521 South. For
a schedule of events, visit their website at:
www.carolinamotorsportspark.com.
State Parks
If you love visiting beautiful state and federal parks, you're
in the right place.
Andrew Jackson State Park, named in honor of President
Andrew Jackson who was born nearby, is less than 5 minutes
from Kilburnie and offers walking trails and picnic areas.
Chester State Park in nearby Chester is less than 30 minutes
from Kilburnie, and you won't want to miss
Landsford Canal State Park which is less than 30 minutes
from Kilburnie. Each spring, Landsford Canal State Park,
located on the banks of the Catawba River, comes alive with
hundreds of visitors who come to view the beautiful spider
lilies that come to life in the shallow rapids of the Catawba
River. Other state parks that are nearby include
Kings Mountain State Park (45 minutes west) and
Lake Wateree State Recreation Area
(30 minutes south).
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The Region
Within a 30-minute to
1-hour drive of Kilburnie you can find historic sites, artistic
and cultural events, museums, professional sporting events,
outdoor recreation, theme parks, water parks, and a host of other
exciting recreational venues. From Historic Camden to the
beautiful skyline of Charlotte, you are only a short drive away.
Historic
Revolutionary War Sites
The Lancaster County and Upstate Region of South Carolina has
several
 Revolutionary War battlefield sites and historical
markers. Many of the major battles of the American
Revolution were fought within a short drive of Kilburnie
inlcluding the Battle
of Camden (less than 45 minutes south), the
Battle of Cowpens in
nearby Gaffney, S.C. (one and a half hours west), and the
Battle of Kings Mountain
(1 hour west). The major motion picture The Patriot,
starring Mel Gibson, was filmed at nearby
Brattonsville - a restored 18th century farm and the site of
the Battle of Huck's Defeat. The
Museum of York
County in Rock Hill is also an interesting visit. There are also dozens of
historical markers throughout the region depicting historic
events of the region since the Revolution. You can visit
the Olde English District
web site for more Revolutionary War sites and other sites of
historic interest in the area. You can also visit the
official
South Carolina Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism
site devoted to the Lancaster area.
Civil War Sites
 South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union
during the Civil War and the entire state has many historic
sites to choose from that are connected to the War Between the
States. In nearby Fort Mill (30 minutes north), President
Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, fleeing from Union forces, met
for the last time at one of the antebellum homes in this
beautiful small town. General Sherman on his march through
South Carolina into North Carolina split his forces in Lancaster
County at the Catawba River, sending one force northeast to
Cheraw, and another force to Camden.
Historic Charleston is 2.5 hours south along Interstate 77
and Interstate 26 and is one of the most historic cities in
America.
Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is less than 1.5
hours from Kilburnie.
Shopping
 If shopping and dining is your bag, then you will enjoy downtown
Lancaster as well as the major shopping centers in nearby
Charlotte (45 minutes north).
Carolina Place Mall
(35 minutes north in Pineville),
SouthPark Mall (45 minutes north in south Charlotte), and
Uptown Charlotte boast
some of the best shopping in the Southeastern U.S. An easy
20 minute ride brings you to Waxhaw, NC home to Rippington's restaurant.
Dining
Charlotte is the new
home to the new campus of Johnson & Wales University which has led
to an increase in fine dining restaurants throughout the City.
From uptown Charlotte, to South Boulevard, to the Southpark
section of the City, there are literally dozens of outstanding
places to dine. Our guests list these among their favorites:
Miro Spanish Grill
7804-A Rea Road , Stonecrest at Piper Glen
Charlotte, NC 28277
Named for the Spanish Surrealist artist Joan Miro, this city
favorite is home to outdoor dining and Spanish cuisine and
appetizers that have hit many a citywide 'Best' list, including
AOL CityGuide's.
Table Restaurant & Bar
14835 John J. Delaney Drive, Ste. 150
Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704.369.5170
Table Restaurant & Bar is a unique upscale restaurant offering an
elegant dining experience in an inspiring environment. Brought
to you by the owner of Blue Restaurant & Bar, Alex Myrick.
The restaurant is located approximately 30 miles north of
Kilburnie on U.S. 521 in the Ballantyne are of Charlotte.
The interior décor takes
its cues from the glamour era of 1920’s – 1940’s. Two eighteen
foot glass wine towers anchor the bar to the open dining room.
Upon entering the restaurant your eye is drawn to the “main table”
made of Carrera marble and flanked by two cheese cellars. This
magnificent centerpiece will be a staging area for culinary
presentations. A chef creates delights that will be a feast for
your eyes as well as your palette. A rounded staircase adorned
with glass-ball railings leads diners to the second level
mezzanine. The view from above is spectacular.
Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill
7716 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704.752.7979
Located in
the Stonecrest Shopping Center just north of Ballantyne and
approximately 45 minutes from Kilburnie, The combination of bold
flavors, sauces and spices create a unique style of American
cuisine that originated in Aspen, Colorado. Specialties include
steaks grilled over the open flame, herb roasted prime rib,
fresh seafood, rotisserie chicken, homemade pasta, awesome
burgers and giant salads. Founded by owner, Dennis Thompson, the
ambience of Firebirds is every bit inviting as the food.
Catawba
Fish Camp
6131 Lancaster, Highway
Fort Lawn, SC 29714
Phone: 803 872-4477
If you want
to enjoy a true Southern fish camp, the Catawba Fish Camp,
located on SC 9, just across the Catawba River is the place to
be. Offering some of the best fish and seafood and all the
fixin's Southern style, the Catawba Fish Camp has been a
favorite of locals for years.
In 1951
Pleasant Baker, and his partner Jim, opened the Catawba Fish
Camp. The original restaurant seated approximately 100 people.
For the next 10-15 years, the menu only had five items, perch,
catfish, fantail shrimp, whole flounder, and chicken. Perch was
$1.00 for “all you can eat”, catfish was $1.25 and Included
slaw, hush puppies, and French fries. The entire staff was male
until the early 1960’s.
The
restaurant has continued to grow and can now seat over 550
people. We are open Wednesday through Saturday. Many of the
menu items are all you can eat for one price. Although the line
may appear long, it moves really fast.
In short,
Charlotte has hundreds of restaurants to meet any taste.
Arts & Culture
 If you enjoy visiting art galleries, museums, and other artistic
an cultural events, the Charlotte metro area has a full slate of
events throughout the year.
The Mint Museum of Art,
Discovery Place Museum,
the Blumenthal
Performing Arts Center and other cultural centers abound.
Visit the Charlotte
Convention and Visitor's Bureau web site for more info.
Carowinds Theme
Park
Paramount's Carowinds Theme
Park is less than 40 minutes from Kilburnie. Carowinds
offers both adult and children themed rides and entertainment that
includes roller coasters, and other rides and a new waterpark.
Professional & College Sporting
Events
 Charlotte is home to the
NFL's
Carolina Panthers which play their home games at Bank of
America Stadium- less than an hour from Kilburnie. Other
professional teams in the metro area include the
Charlotte Knights AAA
baseball team that plays in Fort Mill (45 minutes away), the
Charlotte Checkers ECHL
Hockey team (45 minutes),
If that wasn't enough,
Lowe's Motor
Speedway, home three NASCAR auto races each year, is less
than 1 hour from Kilburnie. The NBA's
Charlotte
Bobcats play their games in the new Bobcat Arena downtown
which also hosts several top-name music and entertainment concerts
each year.
Charlotte
is also home to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte 49'ers
which play NCAA Division I basketball in the Atlantic 10
Conference. |
Kilburnie is surrounded by open fields and woodland. The unspoiled
woods can be explored by walking the meandering nature trails
among a wide variety of native flora and fauna. The backyard is
a certified wildlife habitat.
Wooden bridges span the natural branches, which flow during the
rainy season. From Kilburnie, guests can walk two different routes
to historic Craig House. Please Note: Guests exploring
these trails do so at their own risk.