On the banks of the Saluda River, a Cherokee delegation from Keowee and a British delegation from Charles Town met on July 2, 1755. A mural and a plaque on the Courthouse Square in Saluda County commemorate the signing of the Saluda Old Town Treaty the following day, July 3, 1755. The two dates mark distinct points of reference: the meeting on the riverbank and the signing depicted on the square. This divides the historical events into two successive moments.
A much older history
The history along the river goes back much further. Old Town was an abandoned Indigenous settlement site on the banks of the Saluda River, with a low mound and an open plaza. The site was originally laid out about 1,000 years ago during the Mississippian culture. The Saluda Old Town Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The settlement site's origins and its listing in the register thus stand as distinct historical milestones.
Church, town, and architectural history
The Town of Saluda can also be understood through a precise historical connection. Red Bank Baptist Church was founded in February 1784 and offered to build the courthouse within 400 yards of the church; the Town of Saluda emerged from this connection. The Bonham House dates to around 1780 and is the only surviving birthplace of an Alamo hero. Later, in 1936, the Saluda Theatre was built in the Art Deco style. The dates highlight different aspects: the Bonham House represents a historic birthplace, the church's history is linked to the town's founding, and the theater adds a specific architectural movement to the picture.
The Saluda County Historical Museum houses historical artifacts and provides genealogical information and family research records. The museum also provides directions to the Bonham House and the monument at Travis's birthplace. If you would like to follow these directions, please check the visiting arrangements in advance.
Park and water
To get to Saluda Park, start on West Church Street (US 378) in downtown Saluda and continue via South Main Street (SC 121). After 0.5 miles, turn right onto South Jefferson Street; the park is then on the left. Lake Murray is located in Saluda County, where visitors can go boating. The lake adds a different perspective on the area to its historical themes: the focus here is on activities on the water.
An annual competition
The Saluda Young Farmer Tractor Pull takes place annually. Various tractor classes pull a heavy sled along an unpaved track. Unlike the historic sites, the focus here is not a monument or building, but a recurring competition. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for your intended travel year.
Discover more destinations: Saluda, Lake Murray Shores, Clarendon, Berkeley, Cherokee County, Jasper County, Sumter County, Hampton County.
For the broader travel overview: South Carolina.
