Spartanburg, South Carolina

The second largest among the three primary cities in the northwestern or the Upstate region of South Carolina, the city of Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County. Located 190 miles northeast of Atlanta, 98 miles northwest of Columbia and 80 miles west of Charlotte, Spartanburg is situated on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Learn here about Spartanburg's mild climate and its four distinct seasons that lend well to outdoor activities all through the year. We also talk about some of the nicknames that the city of Spartanburg has earned during the course of its development from a favorite hunting ground to a settlement of fur trappers to a vibrant modern city.

Navigate the trails around Spartanburg that extend for hundreds of miles. Or you may want to relax and enjoy nature at some of most beautiful parks and preserves in the South. You will find Spartanburg a culturally growing community that is young, innovative and energetic.

Spartanburg is an attractive city for both local residents as well as tourists. The city also has a bustling nightlife, various places to eat, places to see and can also offer you a great shopping experience. It is also an area of history and culture.

Spartanburg History

The region was for centuries a favorite hunting ground of the Catawba and Cherokee tribes, which controlled the land east and west of where Spartanburg is located. The area became accessible to early settlers after a treaty with the Cherokee tribe in 1753. Evidence of this distant heritage can be seen in some the area's natural features.

The Lawson's Fork Creek, a stream flowing into the Pacolet River, was at one time known for its crystal clear waters and abundance of wildlife. The banks, which lie entirely in Spartanburg County, are lined with parks and woodlands and throughout the course of the creek you will find rocky shoals and waterfalls. The creek flows from the north to the east end of the county and empties into the Pacolet. The Cottonwood Trail, a walking trail, runs along part of the Lawson's Fork on the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve. Since no development was possible on Lawson's Fork floodplain, the area is still the home ground for the wildlife of which it was once known.

During the Revolutionary War, Spartanburg and the area around it experienced a large number of engagements; actually more battles were fought here than in any other location in the US. The area experienced as many as six engagements in 1780, starting from the Battle of Cedar Springs in July. Two of these battles, the Battle of King's Mountain and the Battle of Cowpens were instrumental in changing the course of the war. After the war ended, people started settling in and around the area.

Among the early European settlers were French fur trappers, English woodsmen and Scottish Irish farmers. Although there is very little evidence of those early pioneering days, some remnants can still be found in the rural areas. The county's historical association has preserved the Walnut Grove Plantation, an 18th-century farmhouse and home of the Moore family that witnessed a locally famous skirmish during the American Revolutionary War. The Seay House and Price House are the other two 18th century homes that represent a typical pioneer home; their simple construction, single stone fireplace and sturdy Flemish-bond brick construction have also been diligently preserved.

The city of Spartanburg is believed to have been named after the Spartan regiment of the South Carolina Militia. Keeping in line with its connection with the American Revolutionary War, the city was incorporated on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens in 1831.

About Spartanburg, South Carolina

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Spartanburg offers much more than just outdoor adventure in the hills. The city has world-class museums, a vibrant art community, six colleges and universities and also offers great opportunities for boutique and antique shopping.

Spartanburg has also been named 'The Hub City', 'Sparkle City', 'Spart', 'Burg' and 'Detroit of the South'. The nickname of 'The Hub City' refers to the numerous transportation routes that connected the city with other cities throughout the region. The Magnolia Street Train Depot, one of the older buildings, still stands as a mute reminder of Spartanburg's old nickname.

In the 2010 census, Spartanburg's population was 37,013; the urbanized area, the Spartanburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, is however much larger and corresponds to the Spartanburg County (population of 284,307). The area, in turn, is included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area, which has a population 1,266,995.

The city of Spartanburg per se is spread over an area measuring 19.2 square miles out of which only 0.47% or 0.1 square miles is water. Rivers in the area include the Lawson's Creek, Pacolet and Tyger Rivers. There are also some lakes in the region, namely, Lake Bowen, Lake Blalock, Lake Cooley, Lyman Lake and Apalache Lake. Average annual temperature is 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) with January being the coldest at an average temperature of 40 degrees F (4 degrees C). July is the warmest with an average temperature of 78 degrees F (26 degrees C). Although Spartanburg has four distinct seasons, extreme weather conditions are literally unheard of.

During the last decade, community leaders have made a concerted effort to revitalize the city's downtown district. Major effort has been directed towards remodeling the Morgan Square, the city's primary downtown hub, restoring historic buildings and structures and relocating businesses and company headquarters in the downtown vicinity.

Some of the newer developments include a 240-room Marriot, headquarters of Extended Stay Hotels, Advance America and QS/1 Data Systems and the world headquarters of Denny's restaurants. The community wide efforts have also resulted in RJ Rockers Brewing Company moving its headquarters to downtown Spartanburg. However, Spartan's economy has benefitted the most due to the BMWs manufacturing facility and the presence of the world headquarters and research facility of Milliken & Company, one of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers.

There are also plenty of opportunities for enjoying action-packed attractions, rich cultural historical sites, as well as unique and memorable dining and shopping experiences. A family vacation in Spartanburg will leave you talking about the pure southern hospitality for years.

About Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Spartanburg County is located in South Carolina and as per the 2010 census its population was recorded to be 284,307. The county comprises the Spartanburg, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area and is surrounded by other South Carolina counties on all sides barring the north and northwest.

The county has a total area of 819 square miles out of which only 8 square miles is water and the rest is land. As of 2006 census estimates, the population density was around 132 per square mile. The racial mix of the county is greatly in favor of white population, which comprises of more than 75%. Almost 21% of the population is of African origin while less than a quarter percent (0.22%) comprises of Native American. There were 1.5% Asians, 0.03% Pacific Islanders and 1.35% of other races. Almost 64% of the population in 2006 was below the age of 44.

The county seat is the city of Spartanburg. Both the county and the county seat were named after the Spartan Regiment, a local militia unit that fought in the American Revolutionary War. The county was formed in 1785 as a part of the Ninety Sixth District and was a part of the Pinckney District from 1791 to 1799. Later, in 1897, a part of the Spartanburg County went to form the Cherokee County. The first European settlers made this area their home in the late 19th century and most of them were Scottish Irish farmers who moved in here from Pennsylvania and Virginia. During most of country's early history, the primary occupation of the population was animal (mostly cattle) husbandry and cotton farming.

After the Civil War, textiles became the dominant industry and to this date, Spartanburg County remains an important manufacturing center. Places like Glenn Springs have mineral springs and are popular summer resorts.