Spartanburg, South Carolina
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 34.944200, -81.925100
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 216021
Language: English
Spartanburg is a city in the northwestern part of South Carolina, United States. It’s the largest city in Spartanburg County with a population of around 37, 000 people. The name of the city comes from its historical connection to the Spartan Regiment that fought during the American Revolution. The history of Spartanburg dates back to the early 18th century when it was first settled by European colonists who used it as a trading post for fur traders and Native Americans.
Later on, It became known for its textile industry and played an important role in cotton mill development throughout the South. Today, Spartanburg has a thriving economy that includes manufacturing, Healthcare services, Education and tourism. Wofford College is one of its most notable landmarks; founded in 1854 as one of America’s top liberal arts colleges. Spartanburg also boasts several cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries showcasing local artists’ works. The Chapman Cultural Center offers live performances by local musicians or plays put on by community theater groups.
For outdoor enthusiasts or sports fans, There are plenty of options available too! Several parks around town offer hiking trails or picnics with family members while enjoying beautiful scenery. Various sports teams like minor league baseball team The Upstate Drive or basketball team The Spartans play at various venues throughout town. One unique aspect about Spartanburg is its commitment to sustainability initiatives through programs like Hub City Farmers Market where residents can purchase locally grown produce directly from farmers without middlemen adding costs onto their goods.
Overall, Spartanburg has something for everyone; whether you’re looking for culture-rich experiences or outdoor adventures!
- Morgan Square
- Chapman Cultural Center
- Spartanburg Art Museum
- Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve
- Walnut Grove Plantation
- The Beacon Drive-In Restaurant
- Cowpens National Battlefield
- Croft State Park
- Hub City Farmers Market
- Wofford College Historic District
- Manufacturing: Spartanburg is home to several manufacturing companies, including BMW Manufacturing Co., Milliken & Company, and Denny’s Corporation.
- Healthcare: Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is the largest employer in the region and operates several hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Education: Spartanburg is home to several colleges and universities, including Wofford College, Converse College, and Spartanburg Community College.
- Retail: There are numerous retail businesses in downtown Spartanburg as well as shopping centers throughout the city.
- Hospitality: The city has a thriving hospitality industry with hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues catering to locals and tourists alike.
- Financial services: Several banks have their headquarters or regional offices in Spartanburg such as First Citizens Bank & Trust Company Inc., BB&T Corporation (now Truist), among others.
- Technology: Several technology companies have offices or facilities in Spartanburg such as AFL Global (telecommunications), Advance America (financial services), among others.
Overall, these industries provide a robust economic base for the city of Spartanburg which allows it to continue growing economically year after year while providing employment opportunities for its residents.
- Spartanburg played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, with notable battles such as the Battle of Cowpens and the Battle of Musgrove Mill.
- Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, worked as an apprentice tailor in Spartanburg during his formative years.
- Mary Black was a well-known philanthropist and community leader who established Spartanburg’s first hospital.
- George Dean Johnson Jr., a business magnate and philanthropist, has made substantial contributions to education and economic development in Spartanburg.
- The Hub City Writers Project is a non-profit organization that provides resources, workshops, and publishing opportunities to support emerging writers.
- Wofford College is a private liberal arts college located in Spartanburg with notable alumni such as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Julia Peterkin.
- The BMW Manufacturing Plant located in Spartanburg County is one of BMW’s largest production facilities worldwide, employing over 11,000 people.
- Milliken & Company is a global textile manufacturer headquartered in Spartanburg that has been recognized for its sustainability efforts.
- Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Sr., founder of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, spent much of his childhood attending school and participating in athletics programs at Sterling High School near downtown Spartanburg during segregation era despite being born in Greenville County.
- The Spartan Race Series hosts obstacle course races globally including annual events held at various locations across South Carolina such as Lake Lanier Island Resort, Spartan Stadium Sprint at University of South Carolina, and the Spartan Beast at Carolina Adventure World; it was founded by Joe De Sena with its headquarters based out of Pittsfield Massachusetts.
- Chapman Cultural Center
- Spartanburg Art Museum
- Hub City Railroad Museum
- The Johnson Collection Gallery
- Wofford College’s Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts
- Walnut Grove Plantation
- Cowpens National Battlefield
- The Spartanburg Regional History Museum
- Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve
- Croft State Park
- The Spartanburg Phillies were a minor league baseball team that played in the city from 1963 to 1994, affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies and won six South Atlantic League championships.
- The Carolina Panthers hold their annual training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, where they have been practicing since their inception in 1995.
- The Wofford Terriers football team represents Wofford College and has a long history of success, including numerous conference championships and playoff appearances.
- The University of South Carolina Upstate’s men’s basketball team competes in NCAA Division I and has had several successful seasons since its inception in 2007.
- Spartanburg High School has a storied football program that has produced many successful players over the years, including NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene.
- Established in 1978, the Hub City Rugby Football Club is one of the oldest rugby clubs in South Carolina and continues to compete today.
- Converse College’s women’s basketball team competes at the NCAA Division II level and has made several conference tournament appearances over the years.
- The YMCA Stingrays swim team is a competitive youth swimming program that has produced several state champions over its history.
- Spring Fling: A three-day festival held in downtown Spartanburg featuring live music, food vendors, and arts and crafts.
- Hub City Hog Fest: A barbecue competition featuring teams from across the Southeast, along with live music and craft beer.
- Spartanburg International Festival: A celebration of the city’s diverse cultures through dance performances, food vendors, and cultural exhibits.
- Dickens of a Christmas: An annual holiday event in downtown Spartanburg featuring carriage rides, carolers, and a Victorian-themed market.
- Piedmont Interstate Fair: A week-long fair with carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and live entertainment.
- Greek Festival: Hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Spartanburg, this festival features traditional Greek food and pastries as well as cultural exhibits and music.
- Upstate Shakespeare Festival: Held at Converse College’s amphitheater during the summer months, this festival features free outdoor performances of Shakespearean plays.
- Music on Main Street: Free outdoor concerts held every Thursday evening during the summer months in downtown Spartanburg’s Morgan Square park.
- South Carolina Peach Festival: An annual celebration of South Carolina peaches featuring peach-themed foods such as pies and ice cream along with live entertainment and a parade.
Note – Some events may be temporarily closed or cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions or otherwise so please check before planning to attend any event mentioned above.
- Carolina Barbecue – known for their pulled pork, brisket, and ribs.
- Willy Taco – a Mexican restaurant that offers unique tacos like the Korean BBQ and Southern Fried Chicken.
- The Farmer’s Table – a farm-to-table restaurant that offers seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
- Ike’s Korner Grille – a classic diner that serves breakfast all day and is known for their burgers.
- Mon Amie Morning Cafe – a French-inspired cafe that serves breakfast and lunch dishes like quiche, crepes, and croissants.
- Cribb’s Kitchen – an American gastropub that offers craft beers and dishes like shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes, and burgers.
- The Peddler Steakhouse – a steakhouse with over 50 years of history in Spartanburg that serves prime cuts of beef cooked to perfection.
- Lime Leaf Thai Restaurant – a Thai restaurant known for their curries, noodles dishes, and soups.
- Hub City Tap House – a tap house with over 70 beers on tap from local breweries as well as national brands.
- Renato In Centro Italian Restaurant – an Italian eatery serving authentic pasta dishes such as lasagna bolognese or spaghetti carbonara along with wine from Italy’s various regions.
- Croft State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking trails, fishing, boating, camping and equestrian facilities.
- Hub City Farmers’ Market is a seasonal farmers market that operates every Saturday from May to December.
- Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport provides scenic airplane rides over Spartanburg for visitors to enjoy.
- Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve is an educational garden and nature preserve with walking trails available for visitors to explore.
- Cleveland Park is a large park with plenty of amenities including playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts and a lake suitable for fishing enthusiasts.
- Rail Trail is a paved trail perfect for walking, running or biking that connects several parks throughout the city.
- Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation Department manages various parks throughout the county such as Tyger River Park which features athletic fields for baseball/softball/soccer as well as disc golf courses.
- The Chapman Cultural Center is home to an art museum, science museum and theater performances among other cultural activities available for visitors to enjoy.
- Glendale Shoals Preserve offers hiking trails along Lawson’s Fork Creek providing stunning views of nature’s beauty in the area.
- Spartanburg Art Museum showcases contemporary art from local artists adding vibrancy and creativity to the city’s arts scene.
