Laurens: History, Art and Outdoor Activities

On August 19, 1780, a battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought at Musgrove’s Mill. The Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site preserves the site. Other historic traces in Laurens County lead to a former family home, churches and forts.

Historic Places in Laurens County

From 1769, Rosemont Plantation was the family seat of the Cunninghams in Laurens County. It was the county’s first plank house and was known for its extensive gardens. The grounds include a paved parking lot and historic interpretive panels. A short walking path from there leads to the former residence and gardens. Check the latest information about the grounds before your visit.

Fort Lindley near Rabon Creek was the site of the Cherokee’s first major offensive in the American Revolutionary War. The fort is on private property; a historic interpretive panel is located at 1700 Fort Lindley Road. Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church is considered the oldest Presbyterian church in Laurens County.

The “Sites of Interest” map can help you find Revolutionary War sites. It leads to battlefields, forts and meeting houses in Laurens County. This gives you a choice of different kinds of historic places, while the Battle of Musgrove Mill and Fort Lindley are each associated with specific events of the war.

Art and Visitor Offerings

The Laurens County Museum welcomes group visits and offers customized tours. If you are planning a group visit, confirm the details with the museum in advance. At Presbyterian College, the Elizabeth Stone Harper Gallery is a teaching and public art gallery. It features art exhibitions and talks by artists from the region and around the world. Check the current program and access arrangements before visiting.

Movie Nights, Sports and Parks

The Capitol Theatre hosts free movie nights on the second and fourth Friday of each month. The public can play basketball for free every week at The Ridge at Laurens. The offerings follow different schedules: movie nights take place on two Fridays each month, while basketball is offered weekly. Check the relevant dates and schedule before you travel.

Joanna Park has a paved walking path. There are also hiking trails at the Joe R. Adair Outdoor Education Center. Visitors who want to cycle will find a roughly one-mile route on the Presbyterian College Multi-Use Trail on the campus in Clinton. The Little River Trail is also one mile long, but is described as a scenic walking trail along the Little River and Reedy Fork Creek. The similar length therefore refers to different activities and routes.

Waterways and Outdoor Activities

The roughly four-mile Charlie Lollis–Boyd’s Mill section of the Reedy River runs from the launch at Charlie Lollis Park to the takeout at Karl Dixon Park. At Lake Rabon, the canoe and kayak launch and takeout are both at Lake Rabon Park. One description refers to a route between two parks, while the other gives the launch and takeout at a single park. Water conditions may vary; check them before your trip.

Fellowship Camp & Conference Center is in Laurens County on the north shore of Lake Greenwood. It offers nearly a mile of shoreline, several miles of trails, canoes and kayaks, playing fields, an archery range and swimming. Its offerings combine water activities with land-based options; the availability of recreational facilities may change. Gulches ORV Park offers off-road trails rated easy, moderate, difficult and extremely challenging.

More Ways to Spend Your Stay

Laurens County Park has an 18-hole disc golf course designed by James LeBaube. LushAcres Farm & Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally made products and baked goods, as well as U-pick options. These activities have different focuses: disc golf, market produce and seasonal pick-your-own. Which ones fit your itinerary depends on your interests and the season.

In the town of Clinton, Josh and Ella Savage Park has a playground. This complements the historic sites, trails and water activities mentioned in the county with individual recreational offerings in Clinton. The activities you want to include during your stay may help determine your hotel plans.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Laurens, Clinton, Union County, Clarendon, Richland, Colleton County, Bamberg County, York.

Return to the main travel overview: South Carolina.