51 Iconic Buildings to Explore in South Carolina

Checkout places to visit in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States and the easternmost of the Deep South. It is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River.

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Iconic Buildings to Explore in South Carolina

Anderson Downtown Historic District

The Anderson Downtown Historic District, located in Anderson, South Carolina, is a charming and culturally rich area that celebrates the city's heritage while offering a vibrant and dynamic urban experience. This historic district is a testament to the city's growth and transformation over the years, with a blend of historic architecture, thriving businesses, cultural venues, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Ashtabula Historic House

Ashtabula Historic House, situated in Anderson, South Carolina, is a beautifully preserved antebellum plantation home that provides a captivating glimpse into the history, culture, and lifestyle of the American South in the 19th century. This stately mansion, surrounded by lush gardens and steeped in historical significance, offers visitors an immersive experience in the grandeur and charm of the Old South.

Atalaya Castle

Atalaya Castle, located within Huntington Beach State Park in Georgetown, South Carolina, is a unique and historic structure that stands as a testament to the artistic and architectural vision of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. This distinctive castle-like mansion is both a fascinating architectural wonder and a window into the lifestyle and creative pursuits of its famous residents.

BMW Zentrum

The BMW Zentrum, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a captivating automotive experience that celebrates the brand's rich history, cutting-edge technology, and the art of precision engineering. As the only BMW museum in North America, the Zentrum offers visitors a glimpse into the world of BMW, showcasing its iconic vehicles and the manufacturing process behind these ultimate driving machines.

Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center and entertainment complex located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Broadway at the Beach is owned and operated by Burroughs & Chapin. The complex is divided into several distinct zones named New England Fishing Village, Caribbean Village, Charleston Boardwalk, Heroes Harbor and Celebrity Square, a warehouse district-themed nightclub district that stays open later than the rest of the districts.

Burt-Stark Mansion

The Burt-Stark Mansion, nestled in the historic town of Abbeville, South Carolina, stands as a captivating architectural and historical gem. This majestic mansion, with its antebellum elegance and rich history, offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the past and a profound connection to the region's heritage.

Chapman Cultural Center

The Chapman Cultural Center, nestled in the heart of Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a dynamic and vibrant hub dedicated to promoting and celebrating arts, culture, and creativity. This multi-faceted cultural center serves as a beacon of artistic expression, education, and community engagement, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.

Chappelle Administration Building, Allen University

The Chappelle Administration Building, on the campus of Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, was designed by John Anderson Lankford, known as the "dean of black architects. The building name has been spelled Chapelle Administration Building in HABS and NPS reports. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976, cited as one Lankford's most important works.

Chicora Wood Plantation

Chicora Wood Plantation, located near Georgetown in South Carolina, is a historic Southern plantation known for its grandeur, antebellum architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings. It stands as a testament to the wealth and culture of the plantation era in the South.Chicora Wood Plantation dates back to the early 19th century and is a prime example of antebellum Southern plantation life. It was built during a time when rice and indigo were significant cash crops in the region.

Clemson Area African American Museum

The Clemson Area African American Museum, located in Pickens County, South Carolina, stands as a vital institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans in the region. This museum serves as a beacon of culture and history, inviting visitors to explore the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the African American community in the Clemson area.

Coffin Point Plantation

Coffin Point Plantation, situated near Beaufort, South Carolina, is a historic plantation with a rich and complex history deeply intertwined with the Lowcountry's past. This iconic site stands as a testament to the antebellum South, showcasing both the opulence of the plantation era and the hardships endured by enslaved individuals who toiled on these lands.

Cross Keys Plantation

Welcome to Cross Keys Plantation, a remarkable historical gem nestled in the heart of Union County, South Carolina! This stately plantation stands as a testament to the grandeur of the antebellum South, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into a bygone era characterized by Southern hospitality, architectural beauty, and a rich cultural heritage.

Frampton Plantation House

The Frampton Plantation House, located in Jasper County, South Carolina, is a historic landmark that offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the antebellum history of the Lowcountry region. This beautifully preserved plantation house is a testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of the area and serves as a place for education and reflection.

Golden Plough Tavern

The Gen. Horatio Gates House and Golden Plough Tavern are two connecting historic buildings located in downtown York, York County, Pennsylvania. The tavern is quite significant for its age and social history but is also an exceptional museum of historic carpentry and vernacular architecture.

Governor's Mansion

This is a historic U.S. governor's mansion in the Arsenal Hill neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina and the official residence of the Governor of South Carolina. It is a Federal style home influenced by British Colonial plantations.

Greenville Center for Creative Arts

The Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA), located in Greenville, South Carolina, is a thriving and dynamic hub for the arts, creativity, and cultural enrichment. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic textile mill, GCCA is dedicated to fostering artistic expression, promoting the visual arts, and supporting the local creative community.GCCA serves as both a working studio space for artists and a place for the public to engage with and appreciate the arts.

Greer Downtown Historic District

The Greer Downtown Historic District, located in Greer, South Carolina, is a charming and well-preserved urban area that encapsulates the city's rich history, small-town charm, and vibrant sense of community. This district is a testament to Greer's heritage and showcases a blend of historic architecture, thriving businesses, and cultural attractions.

Guignard Brick Works

Guignard Brick Works, located in Lexington, South Carolina, is a historic site that stands as a testament to the region's industrial heritage and its role in the production of bricks. This site, with its remnants of brick kilns and associated structures, provides a glimpse into the history of brickmaking in the area, showcasing the craftsmanship and industry of a bygone era.

Hampton Heights Historic District

The Hampton Heights Historic District, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a picturesque and well-preserved neighborhood that transports visitors back in time to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This charming historic district showcases a rich architectural tapestry and offers a glimpse into the city's past, making it a delightful destination for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens

This is a historic mansion that was the home of members of the prominent Hampton family. The house is of a post-Colonial, Classical Revival style which was constructed in 1818. Now the house was restored and reopened to the public in 1970 as a museum that epitomizes the lives of the planter elite in antebellum South Carolina and is operated by the Historic Columbia Foundation.

Map of Iconic Buildings to explore in South Carolina