Chappells: History on the Saluda River

Chappells combines local history rooted in the Saluda River with paddling routes on the river. The ferry, railroad, and historic landmarks tell the story of different periods; the routes on the Saluda River have clearly identified start and end points.

History on the Saluda River

In the late 18th century, Thomas Chappell built his home and a ferry service at this spot on the Saluda River. Historically, Chappells is associated with the names “Chapple” and “Chapple’s Ferry.” In early 1852, the Greenville and Columbia Railroad reached Chappells. This chronology makes the ferry service and railroad two distinct milestones in the history of transportation. The first businesses on the river were destroyed by a tornado in 1884. Several remains of Chappells’s brick commercial buildings have been preserved in the woods near the old railroad embankment. The river is connected both with the early ferry and with the first businesses; the railroad came later as a transportation route.

The Webb-Coleman House south of Chappells

The Webb-Coleman House, also known as Christian’s Post Office, is located two miles south of Chappells; its grounds cover 13⅓ acres. The periods 1800–1825, 1833–1844, and 1915–1934 are identified as significant periods for the house. These three time spans mark different historical periods and should not be mistaken for three construction years. The two earlier periods fall in the 19th century, while the 1915–1934 period belongs to a considerably later era. The location and date ranges answer different questions: the distance places the house south of Chappells, while the time spans indicate its historical significance.

Paddling Routes and River Orientation

Two paddling routes can be compared by their start and end points. The Saluda River Central route from Chappells Highway to Higgins Bridge begins at the Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp. It runs mostly over calm water, with small rapids, through a rural, sparsely developed section of the Saluda River. The route from Buzzard’s Roost to Chappells Highway begins just below Buzzard’s Roost Dam and ends at the same boat ramp. The water is also mostly calm there, with some shallow rapids.

Direction is an important distinction when choosing a route: for the route to Higgins Bridge, the ramp is the starting point; for the route from Buzzard’s Roost, it is the destination. Both routes are mostly over calm water, but mention small or shallow rapids. There is a large parking lot at the Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp. Access is via a road that runs about 0.3 miles south of the river. Water levels and river conditions vary; access and parking conditions may also change. Check these details before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Little Mountain, Newberry.

View the broader travel guide: Newberry County.