South Carolina, Aiken County, Aiken
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Life in Aiken
The coming of the railroad was a major factor in the birth of Aiken. The all-important cotton crop and Graniteville fabrics could get to market. Add to life in Aiken a lady lonesome for her wealthy friends up North and you have the beginning of the Winter Colony in the 1930s, and 40s. With the Winter Colony came hunting and horseback riding, polo, golf, and tennis - a lifestyle that changed the area.
Banksia
(An early photo of Banksia included)
This museum, "Banksia",was built in 1931 and named for the little yellow rose that climbs serpentine walls surrounding the house. With the passage of time, the Museum remained a centerpiece. After a stint as a boarding house, Banksia was used as the first home of the University of South Carolina at Aiken. It served the needs of the people as the public library and, when the library moved to its current home, it became the Museum you see here now. It chronicles the good times and the bad - a tribute to life in Aiken.
Life in Aiken took a radical change in November of 1950 when the announcement was made of the Savannah River Plant - the "Bomb Plant" being built. Change occurred overnight. Over 30,000 men and their families descended upon the county. Trailer parks sprang up everywhere, schools were on double shifts. This Museum was even used as a boarding house. (Pictures included)
(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 13 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Life in AikenThe coming of the railroad was a major factor in the birth of Aiken. The all-important cotton crop and Graniteville fabrics could get to market. Add to life in Aiken a lady lonesome for her wealthy friends up North and you have the beginning of the Winter Colony in the 1930s, and 40s. With the Winter Colony came hunting and horseback riding, polo, golf, and tennis - a lifestyle that changed the area.
Banksia
(An early photo of Banksia included)
This museum, "Banksia",was built in 1931 and named for the little yellow rose that climbs serpentine walls surrounding the house. With the passage of time, the Museum remained a centerpiece. After a stint as a boarding house, Banksia was used as the first home of the University of South Carolina at Aiken. It served the needs of the people as the public library and, when the library moved to its current home, it became the Museum you see here now. It chronicles the good times and the bad - a tribute to life in Aiken.
Life in Aiken took a radical change in November of 1950 when the announcement was made of the Savannah River Plant - the "Bomb Plant" being built. Change occurred overnight. Over 30,000 men and their families descended upon the county. Trailer parks sprang up everywhere, schools were on double shifts. This Museum was even used as a boarding house. (Pictures included)
(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 13 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
