Landmarks and Places of Interest
HISTORIC 96 TRAIN DEPOT
The Depot is one of the oldest buildings in the Town of Ninety Six, built by Norfolk Southern in1852 to connect Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. The Depot has been preserved and serves as a meeting place for the Ninety Six Community. The Historic Ninety Six Development Association is submitting the depot for consideration of being listed on the National Historic Registry.
The Historic Kinard House Bed & Breakfast
In 1885 Henry Jefferson Kinard, a local businessman and farmer, built this Victorian Era home. It was constructed with lumber from nearby forests and features heart pine floors as well as decorative fireplaces, french doors, two foyers and a central staircase, all original to the house. The Kinard House has been lovingly restored and serves as a Bed and Breakfast. The home has been placed on The National Register as a Historic Site. To visit THE KINARD HOUSE, or to make a reservation, simply call: 864-543-2286
James Wesley Fouche House
Mr. Fouche, one of the first Ninety Six merchants, built this house circa 1848-1852. In 1867, Fouchehosted a meeting of four of the state’s leading Baptist ministers at the house to decided whether or not to reopen the Baptist Theological Seminary. This meeting led to the birth of Furman University in Greenville.
Historic Churches
St. Paul United Methodist Church located North Cambridge Street. In 1875 the church was inspired by Sallie Lipscomb. As Ms Lipscomb lay dying, she said to her mother, “please, I want the two dollars I earned to be used to start the new church”. Using the two dollars as a start, Methodists in Ninety Six built the church. On March 26, 1876 Bishop William M. Wightman dedicated Saint Paul Methodist Church.
Also located on Cambridge Street is the Ninety Six Presbyterian Church. Presbyterianism began in this area around 1784. The church was dedicated on Friday, July 13th, 1860. General James Gillam provided a location and 75 people made contributions ranging from $1 to $100 to raise $1,503. The church still has the original slave balcony exists inside and a cemetery is behind the building.
Ninety Six Churches
| Church | Year Founded |
|---|---|
| Ninety Six Presbyterian Church | 1774 |
| First Baptist Church | 1875 |
| St. Paul United Methodist Church | 1875 |
| Mays United Methodist Church | 1889 |
| Mt. Pleasant | 1896 |
| Temple Baptist Church | 1905 |
| Bethlehem Baptist | Before 1911 |
| Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness | 1917 |
| Cambridge United Methodist Church | 1920 |
| Church of God | 1937 |
| Church of God of Prophecy | 1963 |
The Fountain
The Fountain, located on Main Street stands beside the Visitor’s Center.
The Historic Ninety Six “Star Fort” Fountain is the centerpiece of the downtown serving as a gathering place for locals and tourists seeking relaxation and a great place to spend time with family and friends. It is also a great place to take vacation photos as the number 96 is laid within the Pennsylvania stone! The fountain, constructed in 1998, was the result of years of leadership by the Historic Ninety Six Development Association, former Mayor Charles Harts, William “Bill” Gardner, and the support of the entire community to implement the downtown improvement plan prepared by Jason Epley, a graduate student of Clemson University in 1996. The fountain design, although not a replica of the original Star Fort, was inspired by the nearby Ninety Six National Historic Site, its history, and the Star Fort itself. Today, the sounds of water cascading gently down the river rock into the star shaped pool serve as a peaceful reminder of the sacrifices made by many during the longest siege of the American Revolutionary War, the “Siege of Ninety Six.” It was built in memory of the late Holly Drummond, the wife of Senator John Drummond.
Visitor’s Center
The Ninety Six Visitors Center is appropriately located in the center of Town. Inside the Center, a visitor is greeted with a warm “Hello, and Welcome to Ninety Six” . Visitors can pickup brochures or watch the kiosk for information about Ninety Six and its surrounding area.
The Center houses The Historic 96 Development Association and The Ninety Six Chamber of Commerce. The facility also provides
an exhibit/meeting room for displaying local artisans arts and crafts and Ninety Six memorabilia.
The Ninety Six Visitors Center
97 Hwy. 34 Main Street
Ninety Six, SC 29666
(864) 543-4820
Ninety Six Public Library
The Ninety Six Branch Library is a branch of the Greenwood County Library, www.greenwoodcountylibrary.org. The library is a resource of books for pleasure and reference and cultural interests.
The library has a beautiful hand painted mural, “Reading is Essential”, by local artist Louise Aull. The mural pictures ways in which reading is important. It shows elements of Ninety Six history as well as seventeen (17) state symbols of South Carolina.
A picture walking trail everyone can enjoy. The mural was presented by NSDAR, Mount Ariel Chapter and sponsored by the Ninety Six Book Club.
The library also houses an exhibit of African artifacts, a gift of Richard Tolbert from Liberia and New York. Mr. Tolbert’s roots were in Ninety Six. His ancestors came from Africa to Ninety Six where they were farmers. In 1878, the Tolberts sold all of their possessions, bought a ship and sailed to Liberia. After becoming wealthy farmers, they became leaders in their country with special interests in economic development and education.
100 South Cambridge Street
Ninety Six, SC 29666
Phone 864-543-4749
Gazebo
Another focal point on the square in Historic Downtown 96 is: THE GAZEBO. According to former Chamber of Commerce member and local business owner Clara Able, the 96 Chamber of Commerce solicited donations and funds for this project in the 1980′s. The construction of THE GAZEBO was completed in 1987.
Each brick that was laid into place was donated by Hanson Brick, then known as SOUTHERN BRICK.
No cost of this project was incurred to the Town of 96-as it was a community project. According to the records and research by the 96 Chamber of Commerce, the total price of the gazebo project was $18,339.41. The Chamber search also yielded signed drawings of architect J.C. Lake that were dated 3/12/1986.
Walking Trails
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TRAIL: One of our most popular walking trails is located in the heart of our historic downtown area and runs parallel to Main Street (Highway 34). You may park at the Historic 96 Depot to start your walk. This trail is 1.4 miles long and is open from dawn until dusk, unless otherwise posted.
The Walking Trail runs east and west from the Depot to the town limit on what was formerly a railroad bed. Paved with rock dust, the trail is level, straight and is also handicap accessible. There are benches along the trail.
All residents, visitors and tourists alike are invited and welcome to enjoy a beautiful, scenic walk. One may also note various focal points in our downtown that actually line the trail: Historic homes & buildings, The Library, The Historic 96 Depot, The Kinard House, The Visitor’s center, The Fountain and The Gazebo.
For your safety, trails are under police jurisdiction.
Another popular Walking Trail is The Ninety Six Town Park Trail. This asphalt trail is a .3 mile loop that completely surrounds the town park. It is located on the corner of Saluda and Cross Streets.
Amenities include water fountains, restrooms, picnic tables, a playground and pavilion. There is also plenty of open space for one open up a blanket for a picnic or to play frisbee or dodgeball!
Parking for this walking trail is on Saluda and Cross Streets.
THE NINETY SIX NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WALKING TRAIL:
This is a 1 mile loop that is located on Highway 248 South-just 2 miles from Downtown Ninety Six. This walking trail shows nature at its best and is actually located inside a National Historic Site!
This asphalt trail passes Colonial and Revolutionary era historical points as well as being a very popular spot for nature lovers, history buffs and bird watchers!
Amenities: restrooms, information center, picnic tables and water fountains. Pets on a leash are welcome.
Supporters of Ninety Six Walking Trails:
- Citizens of Ninety Six
- Town of Ninety Six
- Greater Greenwood Parks & Trails Foundation
- Greenwood County Parks Commission
- Ninety Six Chamber of Commerce
- Historic 96 Development Association
- SC Dept of Transportation
- SC Dept Parks, Recreation & Tourism
- Norfolk Southern Railroad
- Ninety Six Lions Club
The Drummond Center
The Drummond Center at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area is a great place for business meetings, family gatherings or wedding receptions. The spacious conference room can hold up to 200 people for a meeting or 140 for sit-down dinner. Guests can stroll out to the stone terrace for a spectacular view of Lake Greenwood. The grassy knoll overlooking the lake is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies. For reservations call
(864) 543-3535. The park is an hour drive from both Greenville and Columbia, making it ideal for a day-long retreat.
Time Capsule
The last formal event commemorating Ninety Six’s 9-6-1996 year was the time capsule dedication on the square. The time capsule included film clips, newpaper articles, photographs and many items that were in some way connected to the celebration. Also included was the sequential scroll, which is signed by thousands of South Carolinians.
The capsule, a hermetically sealed container, was placed in a sealed above-the-ground monument on the west side of the town’s gazebo on the flag square. The granite and concrete structure measures, 4 feet wide, 6 feet long and 30 inches high.
