Saluda: Historic Sites and Lake Murray

Saluda brings together historic themes from widely separated eras with opportunities for recreation on the water. The Saluda Old Town Site dates back about 1,000 years; other historical markers point to events in 1755, the founding of the Town of Saluda, and buildings from the 18th and 20th centuries. Visitors can go boating on Lake Murray, which lies within Saluda County.

Historical Markers

The Saluda Old Town Site was an abandoned Indigenous settlement site on the banks of the Saluda River. It includes a low mound and an open plaza, originally created about 1,000 years ago during the Mississippian culture. In 1972, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The approximate date when it was established and the later date of its listing mark different chapters in its history.

The Saluda Old Town Treaty Site is associated with a meeting between a Cherokee delegation from Keowee and a British delegation from Charles Town on the banks of the Saluda River on July 2, 1755. A mural and plaque on Saluda County’s Courthouse Square depict the signing of the Saluda Old Town Treaty on July 3, 1755. The meeting date is therefore one day earlier than the date that the mural and plaque give for the signing.

Another chapter in the area’s history began with the Red Bank Baptist Church, which was founded in February 1784. The church offered to build the courthouse within 400 yards of the church, leading to the founding of the Town of Saluda. The town is recognized as a National Historic District.

Historic Sites and Directions

The Saluda County Historical Museum houses historical artifacts and offers genealogical information and family research records. The museum also provides directions to the Bonham House and the monument at Travis’s birthplace. If you plan to visit these sites, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

Architecture and building history offer another perspective. The Bonham House dates to around 1780 and is the only surviving birthplace of an Alamo hero. The Saluda Theatre was built in 1936 in the Art Deco style. These dates provide a chronological comparison between a house from the early history of the United States and a 20th-century theater, without implying that the buildings should be treated as part of a single tour.

There are specific directions to Saluda Park from West Church Street (US 378) in downtown Saluda via South Main Street (SC 121). After 0.5 miles, turn right onto South Jefferson Street; the park will then be on your left.

Boating and Events

The Saluda Young Farmer Tractor Pull takes place annually. Different tractor classes pull a heavy sled along an unpaved track. The event offers a different focus from the historical themes, centering on competition between the classes. Check the published event dates for your trip.

Visitors can go boating on Lake Murray. Since the lake lies within Saluda County, this recreational opportunity is a separate planning consideration alongside the historic sites and themes. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first decide whether history, family research, or time on the water will shape your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Saluda, Lake Murray Shores, Kershaw County, Orangeburg County, Bamberg County, Beaufort County, Anderson, Laurens

For the main travel overview: South Carolina.