Christmas in Historic Pendleton, SC

On Pendleton Square, Christmas 2016

By Laurie Bower Epps

There are so many nearby historical towns near me that it was hard to pick just one that'd be Christmas blog. Pendleton is a mere twenty minutes away from my house, so it was a good place to start. If you're a regular follower, you may remember my blog of Woodburn Plantation, and if you make it through the entire historical tour, it's the last stop. We got a late start, as well as, there was a craft fair on Pendleton Square, so we only made it to 3 of the 5 locations.

My Fashion

Black T-Shirt w/lace neckline 
& Boyfriend Jeans
~ Lane Bryant

Black Jasper Necklace & Earrings
~Magma Creations

Nike Cross Training Shoes
~Kohl's

Sitton House Circa 1859

Bulloch Hall

Dad greeted us with a smile & history book

By Laurie Bower Epps

My family got together this past Thanksgiving at my brother's home in Atlanta, GA for the first time in about three years. However, my father has become quite elderly, and at 89 years young, I paid special attention to spend time with him. Dad wanted to go to my hometown of Roswell, GA and for spectacular results. This has got to be the best kickoff to my holiday seasons blog, and was even more than I had first envisioned. With over 70 photos to choose from, I definitely had some hard choices to make.

Our NC Mountain Adventure

Country Road near Linville Cavern

By Laurie Bower Epps

For my daughter's 20th birthday, I asked what she wanted, and she told me, "Mom, take me on one of your adventures." Unable to resist, I gave her three options and being a geology major, a jaunt to the mountains was somehow, perfect. 

This outing, I chose specifically due to my childhood memories from this region near Marion, NC. Come get lost with my sweet girls and I. The pictures are truly spectacular. Unfortunately, not too far away, wildfires are ravaging the hillsides covered in woodland areas. For now, these areas are fairly safe, but that could change with the worst of the damage a mere 30 miles or so away. Respectfully, I ask that you pray for the residents of Lake Lure, NC and the firefighters trying to contain the blaze.

Hagood Mill

By Laurie Bower Epps

Something about an old mill just evokes for me fall images of golden, burnt sienna, and rich sangria red leaves framing it off in the distance. My dear friend and I set off with our young daughters on an adventure into the past. 

Hoping to avoid their "fall festival" so to miss the crowds and additional cost, we set out on a beautiful autumn day with our picnic basket and cooler in tow. However, we got it perfectly wrong, but with magnificent results. Not only was there a storytelling competition going on, there were also plenty of arts and crafts to keep the kids busy.

Central Historical Society

By Laurie Epps

With fall activities in full swing, it's been even more essential that I stick close to home. But as a salesperson that travels throughout the southeast, I can't help but notice that there's a number of towns that seem to have sprung up around the railroad. I love trains. As a child, my favorite picture book was The Little Engine That Could. This love was passed along to my daughter Ellen, to whom this blog is dedicated in honor of her 20th birthday.

Campbell's Covered Bridge

Campbell's Covered Bridge, Circa 1909

By Laurie Epps

There's something about a covered bridge that seems romantic, and nostalgic. Almost everyone has seen a Christmas card sleigh ride scene with a covered bridge in it. Some would say that a covered bridge is wooden poetry, or a passageway to the past which speaks to our inner child.

After a really tough week, originally I'd planned on going to a fall festival at a plantation in Spartanburg, but an invitation from a friend in the country had an unusual appeal. I asked her about a few places that I thought would be near her farm in the country. So when she said she was just a mile from this beauty, my youngest and I set out to see it before we arrived at my friend's home.

The Wilhite House

View from McDuffie Street

By Laurie Epps

At the corner of River & McDuffie Streets in Anderson is the prominent Wilhite House. For those that don't live around here, that's a busy intersection about half a mile from the public library. The sign boasts it's the home to the man who discovered Ether but it's shell looks more like a creepy ghost story. From my daughter, I've learned that local school children are making up haunting tales about the old place. As for me, I can't dismiss it's historical significance.

Significance

Dr. Philip Abney Wilhite, owner of the grand house, was a young medical student when he administered ether to a young black man at a party in 1841. The drug anesthetized him, and the other party guests believed him to be dead. This was the beginnings for anesthesia as we know it today since the boy awoke unharmed.

Kilgore~Lewis House

By Laurie Epps

When I say that people down here are fanatical about their football, it's the understatement of the century. Being fall also means that in addition to the fabulous pumpkin spice latte's, this area becomes a sea of orange in support of nearby Clemson University on Friday afternoons. As a salesperson, I wear my orange on Fridays too, because it's just good business.

Fashion

Dress, Shrug, & bracelets
~Catherine's Plus Sizes

Metallic Sandals by Sketchers
~Rack Room Shoes

Brown Leather Handbag, Chaps by Ralph Lauren
~Kohl's

Astabula Historic Plantation Home

Astabula Historic Plantation Home

By Laurie Epps

Astabula is sort of the "grand dame" of the Pendleton/Clemson area. I pass it taking my daughter to her college or visiting friends in Seneca, it wasn't until I started this blog that I looked into actually going there. Driving up, I even took a video mimicking the Grey Poupon commercial only with alternative music in the background.

Astabula is set back from the main part of the historic downtown area but well worth the trip. There is also an inn & tavern in back of this historic home, and worthy of visiting all by themselves.

Midway Presbyterian Church

Midway Presbyterian Church Estab. 1833

By Laurie Epps

School started about a month ago, and that meant many changes in my household, especially for my youngest. From getting back into gymnastics, to resuming Girl Scouts, and a new after-school program set in the country. A new schedule was in store for us.

En route to her after school program that first morning, we passed by a church that seemed to call to me. I snapped a picture on my first day at a new job of the 183 year old church en my new route that I'd be taking daily knowing that I'd be back for a photo shoot for my blog.

Suber's Corn Grist Mill

By Laurie Epps

I know years from now, I'm going to laugh at this blog entry. I set out with two of my daughters in the sweltering southern heat in the middle of July in our new Fall clothes. Even though I was a model in my youth, I'm currently going through the change of life, and sweaters in the heat was just a bad idea. If I hadn't gone terribly wrong enough with that, I paired my outfit with a pair of heels, and being almost 6'0" tall, I'm accustomed to wearing flats.

This location was picked by my daughters, and I think we all thought the water wheel would've been bigger than it was.... But yet, it still had a wonderful charm about the old place. 

The Hanover House, Circa. 1716

Hanover House, circa 1716

By Laurie Epps

My middle daughter has chosen Clemson University for her undergraduate work, and when perusing the website, I discovered that there isn't just one historic home on the grounds, but instead, 3! Being just a mere half an hour from my home, it was a logical choice for my fashion blog. 

This year, the Hanover House is celebrating its tricentennial. Originally located in the lowcountry (the coastal side of SC), it was relocated to the upcountry (the Blue Ridge side of SC) to the South Carolina Botanical Garden in 1994 which is on the Clemson University Campus.

My Fashion:

My Bright Yellow Dress -- Lane Bryant
Stackable Pearl Bracelets on Stretchy Cording -- Lane Bryant
Pearl Necklace & Earrings -- Made for me by a former friend --Timmy's Treasures
Metallic Wedge Sandals by Sketchers -- Rack Room Shoes
Black Purse -- New York & Co.

My daughter, Ellen, approaching Hanover House

Woodburn Historical Plantation

Woodburn Plantation Historic Home

By Laurie Epps

I'm fortunate enough to live in one of the original 13 colonies that is steeped in rich American History. Something about this home near my daughter's college just spoke to me, so I took a drive by to inquire about the hours, and returned with her little sister to take the tour.

My Fashion:

Mint Green, Keyhole back dress --
Lane Bryant
Metallic Sandals --
By Sketchers, purchased at Rack Room Shoes
Black Handbag & Watch --
NY & Co. 
Chunky Green Stone Necklace & Bracelet --
Lane Bryant
Metallic Headband --
CVS Drug Stores

Woodburn Historical Plantation

The Newberry Opera House

Inside the Newberry Opera House

By Laurie Epps

When traveling to our state capital of Columbia, South Carolina, I'd had so much fun in Pickens that I decided to make a history stop on the way back home. As a former performer myself, the Newberry Opera House was a logical choice. I thought this stop would merely be to get hours, and return to tour it. I was mistaken, and cheerfully a docent named Linda greeted me when I opened the door. Since my journey was due to an interview, I was dressed for the occasion, so I figured, why not?





Fashion:
Dress -- Catherine's Plus Sizes
Shoes -- Rack Room Shoes
Watch, Earrings, & Purse -- New York & Co.

The Newberry Opera House

The Hagood-Mauldin House

Pickens, SC Square

By Laurie Epps

Something about the town of Pickens just spoke to me, and my curiosity of this place led me to the historic home called The Hagood-Mauldin House. Since I gave my friend a ride out there, she graciously indulged my girlish whim of following my call to my first walk back in time.

Fashion:

Dress -- Lane Bryant
Earrings -- TJMaxx
Watch & Purse -- New York & Co.
Walking Sandals by Sketchers -- Rack Room Shoes

Happy New Year

From our hearth to yours.....

Happy New Year, 2016!

I'll be back with new content this summer. I'm taking some time off due to technical issues, and major life changes. All of it's good, though.