Spartanburg

Spartanburg, the county seat and one of the principal cities in the metropolitan area of western upstate South Carolina, is home to approximately 37,000 residents. The second largest city in the Upstate metropolitan area, Spartanburg is located 98 miles northwest of Columbia, 80 miles west of Charlotte, and about 190 miles northeast of Atlanta. Its proximity to I-85 means residents are easily connected to the Charlotte and Atlanta metro areas.

Spartanburg, formed in 1785, was named for a local militia called the Spartan Regiment, commanded by Andrew Pickens. They participated in the nearby Battle of Cowpens, and visitors to the historic battlefield can watch history come alive with a yearly reenactment. During the 1830s, Spartanburg was incorporated, earning the name “Hub City” because railroad lines radiating from the city formed the shape of a wheel hub. It became a center of textile manufacturing, and during WWI Camp Croft was the training site for soldiers. That same site is now Croft State Park, a beautiful place to spend a peaceful day. Spartanburg, founded as a “courthouse village”, has its roots deep in the origins of America.

The Chapman Cultural Center anchors Spartanburg’s creative community, with art, science and history museums. The Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium offers concerts and events to please every musical taste. The local library system offers weekly music and reading programs for children and adults, or tour historic places like the Belton Train Depot or one of several historic houses located throughout the county.

To enjoy some outdoor fun, head to Lawson’s Ford Creek, whose banks are home to numerous parks and woodlands. Located just east of downtown, The Cottonwood Trail is the place to bike, hike or jog. Golfers will enjoy the opportunity to play rounds at several golf clubs, including Carolina Country Club and Country Club of Spartanburg.

Area restaurants pride themselves on sourcing local fresh ingredients to make dining unique and unforgettable. Don’t miss the “Chili-cheese-a-plenty” burger at The Beacon, the second largest drive-in in the nation. FR8yard offers local craft bierhouse offerings with music and outdoor seating. Perhaps a cup of coffee and an Ezell crepe at The Crepe Factory is what you crave. With so many choices, an evening out is never dull!

In the Spartanburg area, there are 44 public, private, and charter schools, offering educational options to match specific need, including Montessori. SC School for the Blind and SC School for the Deaf offers public PreK-8 elementary schools and 9-12 high schools. Several of the private schools have received top reviews for families seeking non-traditional education options.

Higher education opportunities abound. Wofford College, Converse College, and USC Upstate serve the Spartanburg area, along with Spartanburg Methodist College and Spartanburg Community College offering degree and certification programs.

Spartanburg Regional Health Care Center serves the Spartanburg County area with several hospitals and facilities, including specialty medical centers for Women’s health, pediatrics, a Restorative Care center, and more.

Spartanburg’s subtropical climate has relatively mild winters and hot and humid summers. While the average snowfall is low, the nearby Blue Ridge mountain range offers lots of winter sport options. During Spring training, catch the Carolina Panthers practicing at Wofford College.

As one of the largest employers, BMW’s manufacturing facility is located in the city of Greer, just off I-85. BMW also offers thrill-seekers the chance to practice wet skids and panic braking at the BMW Performance Driving School. Milliken & Company, a textile and chemical manufacturer, based their home headquarters here, which means that the infrastructure is in place for a thriving economy and employment opportunity.