3 Surprising Historic Attractions in Orangeburg

September 21, 2017 · 3 min read

The American history of Orangeburg, South Carolina, stretches back over 300 years to when a man named George Sterling set up a fur trading post in 1704. Thanks to its fertile soils and convenient location on the Edisto River, Orangeburg quickly blossomed into a successful settlement for farming and trade. It's no wonder that several local locations appear on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Some of Orangeburg's historic offerings might surprise you.

Orangeburg County Jail

The imposing architecture of Orangeburg County Jail was crafted in a Gothic design way back in 1857. It took three years to build. A mere five years after its completion, Union troops led by General William T. Sherman torched the building. Its exterior was restored soon after, however. The building highly resembles a fortress, featuring turrets, towers, and arched, narrow windows. The design was quite fitting, considering its use — many convicts were imprisoned there, and its central tower was where most executions took place. It was inducted into the NRHP in 1973.

All-Star Triangle Bowl

One would hardly expect a bowling alley to make the NRHP, but this historic location — first built in the 1960s — made the list in 1996. Though the bowling alley closed its doors to the public in 2007 due to financial troubles, it still remains on the register. All-Star was the location of the infamous Orangeburg Massacre that took place in 1968 during the Civil Rights Movement. Unlike most of the integrated public places in town, the privately owned All-Star refused to allow people of color to bowl there. The manager claimed that All-Star was exempt from the laws established in 1964 by the Civil Rights Act. Since there was a snack bar inside, locals claimed that it fell under the terms of the Act and was breaking the law. This sparked a series of protests that culminated in a confrontation at nearby South Carolina State College (SCSC) in which three were killed and 27 were injured.

Dukes Gymnasium

This two-story brick building sits on the SCSC campus and was erected in 1931. It made the NRHP in 1985. It features a five-bay brick arcade in front, a full basement, and a red-tiled gabled roof. It's framed in steel and has a concrete water table that runs between the first story and the basement. The buiding is notable for its ties to Miller Whittaker, a groundbreaking African American architect. It was first conceived by John Blanche, an SCSC student of mechanical arts, for his graduate thesis. Whittaker supervised the design, and instructors at the college participated in the construction efforts. It's still in use today, mostly as offices for the sports department and for intercollegiate women's volleyball competitions. With its many historic locations, Orangeburg is a haven for those who love to peer into the past and relive the days of yore. The NRHP is an excellent guide for those who crave this knowledge, and there are literally dozens of locations in the area to choose from. Explore, learn, and enjoy! Image via Wikimedia Commons by Ammodramus

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Aug 19, 2022 in Local Area

Driving Through or Staying a While? 3 Great Hotels for Visiting Orangeburg, SC

Nestled just off Interstate 26 within miles of the historic state capital of Columbia and exciting Lake Marion, Orangeburg, SC is a great place to stop for the night during your interstate travels or spend the weekend exploring the area! There's something for everyone to enjoy in “The Garden City,” from outdoor activities and natural landscapes to small-town university nightlife and local festivals. While planning your stay, check out our top recommended hotels for your time in our beloved city. more 1. Hampton Inn & Suites Orangeburg If you're just driving through Orangeburg and looking for accommodation right off Interstate 26, look no further than the 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites of Orangeburg. With raving reviews from previous guests and rooms that always include a hot breakfast and WIFI in the price, this hotel is hard to beat for those needing a quick place to stay during their travels. You'll find an outdoor pool open during the summer months, as well as a fitness center and 24/7 reception. 2. Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast You can't mention downtown Orangeburg without mentioning Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast. This charming boutique inn features rooms named in honor of the women that have influenced the lives of the owners and the world. The innkeepers, Rachelle and Fred Holmes, are both natives of Lowcountry South Carolina and love sharing their southern hospitality with guests. Fred is the resident chef on-site, and you can't miss his amazing dishes! If you're in town during the week, be sure to pick up some of Rachelle's famous Island Tea, as well as a loaf of Fred's delicious homemade bread pudding! They have a store at the end with all sorts of local treats and delicacies. The Matriarch is located in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of Edisto Memorial Gardens and just a mile away from South Carolina State University. 3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orangeburg A 3-star hotel located off the Interstate 26 exit, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orangeburg is a great choice for travelers looking for suite-style accommodation. Each room features a mini-kitchenette with a microwave, coffeemaker, and a mini-fridge. If you're traveling with the family, there are also suites that can fit up to 6 occupants, and the kids are sure to enjoy the indoor pool onsite! You'll find free parking for your Kia Sorento. Orangeburg might be small, but it's one Lowcountry town with plenty of heart! We wish nothing but the best and safest travels for you and your family while exploring our beautiful state of South Carolina. While you're in the area, stop by Burns Kia to check out this year's inventory of car and truck models. We'd be happy to show you the safest options for your traveling crew! image courtesy of pexels.com

Jun 24, 2022 in Local Area

Drive Home With Dinner: Where to Find the Best Pizza Near Orangeburg, SC

There's no food created by humankind that gets more people excited than pizza. The best pizza in Orangeburg, SC can't be found at the chain spots, where every pie tastes the same. Instead, hop in your roomy Kia K5, blast the air-con, and head to one of these great spots for a truly local treat. more Original House of PIzza This could be the town's best spot for pizza: it's a tough call, but this one is definitely in the running. They're located at 591 John C. Calhoun Dr, and they are open from 11am until 9pm Tue-Thur and from 11am until 9:30pm on Fri and Sat. What should you expect here? Awesome service and awesome food. We recommend you try their Greco pizza, the Buff Chick, or the BBQ Chick. You also won't be disappointed in their Hawaiian if you like pineapple. They can also make most of their pizzas into stromboli or calzone if you prefer. They do a really good vegetarian pizza, and they have lots of options for those who don't want pizza (whoever those people are). Try their Super Sub or meatball parmesan. For the kids, you can get pasta, chicken tenders, hamburgers, and more. House of Pizza on Sims Look for this place at 1375 Sims St. They are open from 11am until 9pm most days, but on Friday and Saturday, they stay open until 10pm. This place doesn't just have good pizza: they've also been voted Best Entertainment Venue and Best Place for Cocktails by our local population, so you don't want to miss this spot. Note that while they have done delivery in the past, they can't as of 2022 due to severe staffing shortages. And if you enjoy one of their cocktails, please do so responsibly. Please try their chicken alfredo pizza: it's amazing. We also love the steak combo, which is seasoned beef with mushrooms and bell peppers. The Greek is another unusual and stellar favorite, with ground beef, black olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese. Or, order a calzone with cheese and your choice of any three toppings. Tulio's Pizzeria & Restaurant Tulio's is at 1128 Russell St, and they are open from 11am until 9pm every day but Monday. This is a clean spot with a great atmosphere, good prices, and staff who are attentive to your needs. Pizza is their specialty, but they also do good subs, nice wraps, and some burgers and gyro sandwiches you will definitely want to try one day when you're not craving pizza. For pizza, though, you should try their Stuffed Meat. It's got pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, and beef, and the crust is stuffed with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. We also can't get enough of their white pizza, which is simple but elegant and amazing. Once you're full, come visit Burns Kia to shop for a great new or used vehicle or to get the best service possible on your Kia. image courtesy of pexels.com

Mar 14, 2019 in Local Area

4 Spring Events in the Orangeburg Area

Spring is upon us, and that means the start of event season in Orangeburg. No matter what your interest, you're sure to find a special event in the area to enjoy. Let's talk about some of the upcoming spring events and what they have to offer. St. Patrick's Day Festival The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association invites Orangeburg residents and visitors alike to don their best green apparel and gather in downtown's Memorial Plaza for it's third annual St. Patrick's Day Festival, held on March 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival promises fun for the whole family, with music and dancing provided by Jimmy Joyner and the Main Street Band. The Downtown Leprechaun will be in attendance to hand out a special gift to children under 12 who come dressed in green. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and while you're downtown, make sure to check out the area's unique shops. more Governor's Frog Jump The Governor's Frog Jump has been an Easter weekend tradition since 1969. It all started when the town of Springfield, South Carolina, sent a frog to compete in the famous Calaveras County Frog Jump in 1968. The Springfield frog won the contest so the town decided to host its own frog jumping competition. The competition evolved into a weekend-long event featuring a carnival, food, crafts, a parade, entertainment, games, and, of course, the frog jump. Since the event takes place on the same weekend as Easter, there is also an egg strike competition and Easter egg hunt. Orangeburg Festival of Roses The Orangeburg Festival of Roses is held every year on the weekend before Mother's Day in the historic Edisto Memorial Gardens. It celebrates the start of the rose blooming season. The garden's first rose was planted in 1951, and now the gardens are home to 79 beds of roses. While attending the festival, you'll see thousands of roses, including miniatures and Old Garden Roses, blooming near the Edisto River, the longest black water river in the world. The festival also features food vendors and entertainment. While there\, you'll also want to visit Edisto's wetland park, butterfly garden, serenity garden, and sensory garden. Classic Car Show on the Square The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association is proud to present the 7th Annual Classic Car Show on the Square. Antique car owners are encouraged to register their vehicle for display and competition. In addition to the beautiful cars on display, the show features music, food vendors, door prizes, and activities for the kids. Attendees are also invited to participate in a fan belt toss. The festival takes place on May 4. If you'd like to register your antique car, registration is held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These are just some of the fun events that you can look forward to this spring. No matter which one you choose to attend, stay safe and have a great time! Image by VirtualWolf via CC BY-SA 2.0