TR, Travelers Rest, SC history and real estate are interesting. Yes, it is spelled correctly. The weird spelling is how it was originally incorporated. The modern city of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, is home to over 4,100 people in the rural areas in Greenville County, SC.
It is so named for a very long history of being a handy place to stop just before or after heading across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Situated at the base of "the great wall" and at a natural pass, the area was a crossroads of Native American travelers for perhaps thousands of years.
Today, over 60% of the property in Travelers Rest is owner occupied, and fewer than 10% of rentals are unoccupied at any given time. The climate is relatively mild, with less than a month of snowy weather per year. The town itself covers less than 10 square miles, so Travelers Rest real estate (especially new development) is on the outskirts of the "town." Recently Travelers Rest has seen a flurry of growth not limited to a new Walmart supercenter and surrounding shops. With the new Greenville rails to trails project (where existing railroad lines will be converted to trails which are part of Greenville Falls Park downtown along the Reedy River corridor) and improved highways from Asheville to Greenville coming through Travelers Rest this area is set to boom.
Archaeologists have excavated at the town site to discover several hundred years of settlement history going as far back as 3,500 years. The famous Mississippian Culture that is among the oldest in North America, built and defended a city here. Several burial sites have been uncovered in the area, including one in a man's cellar. The remnants of wattle and daub-constructed homes have also been found. The Catawba, Creek and Cherokee tribes have since occupied the area.
The area now known as South Carolina was part of the Cherokee Nation in 1755, when the Eastern section of the state was ceded to the State of South Carolina. Some early "cowboys" wandered into "Cherokee Country" and brought their animals up and down the hills along Native American trails. A trading post to serve them was set up at what is now the city of Greenville. The Cherokee were driven off their remaining lands in South Carolina in 1776 and the area was opened up to settlement after the War of American Independence.
Near the area the Reedy River Baptist Church was founded in 1778. Lands were granted to a group of Revolutionary War veterans in 1784 including about 20 families in the immediate area. The first road was constructed in 1794 as a route to Knoxville, Tennessee. The Overton plantation was established in 1799 to farm cotton and fruit orchards with the assistance of an average of 50 slaves until emancipation in 1865. First named Golgotha for the skulls found as part of the Mississippian burial site it was situation atop, the name was eventually changed to Travelers Rest for the increasing amount of traffic that sprung up in the region as settlers began moving out with their covered wagons to settle the county.
The fledgling settlement soon shared a name with the plantation. At that time, shepherds often came by with their flocks and were known in the area as "drovers." Soon they and other travelers could stay at the Bishop's Inn that included a pen to keep animals in while their owners stayed. Small farms slowly began appearing in the area. A post office was established in 1808 with stagecoach-delivered service. The Jackson Grove Methodist Church opened in the 1830s and one room schoolhouses taught an elementary education as more settlers moved into the area.
For European and American settlers during the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for people to find themselves spending an entire winter in the area and the local economy thrived supporting the guests. In 1888 a railroad line, then known as the "Swamp Rabbit" came through town, causing a divide between the upper and lower parts of town. When Travelers Rest incorporated in 1881, the upper section of town incorporated as the comparably-sized town of Athens. Twenty years later, Athens original charter had run out and was absorbed by Travelers Rest into a town of about 200 people.
Industry came to the town in 1929 when a bleaching facility and mill were built. Many people came to take advantage of the industrial jobs that were created after World War II. Plants included garment factories, a "Zonolite division" of W.R. Grade, embroidery plants, and a curtain company. Though much of the industry went into decline in the 1980s with the closure of the mill, the population of about 2000 has roughly doubled since the 1960s. Today the town is becoming a bedroom community to the greater Greenville metropolitan area now that the Greenville Real Estate market has picked up so precipitously.
Interestingly, the town was incorporated twice. When this was discovered in 1959 that the town's original articles of incorporation were for a period of 30 years, a special letter was sent to the South Carolina Secretary of State to have the town formally incorporated as Travelers Rest - with it's funny spelling - in Greenville County, which he duly did.
Gateway Village is now open! Located in the sought after town of Travelers Rest featuring ample dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Enjoy the outdoors being unde...
Spec Home - 4 bdrm/2.5 bth in new country setting subdivision outside of Travelers Rest, 2553 heated space, hardwood floors throughout with ceramic tile floors in baths a...
Enjoy Country living yet convenient to city life. Short distance to Downtown TR and the very poplar Swamp Rabbit Trail. Easy drive to Furman, Cherrydale, and Downtown Gre...
WOW! This one level beauty sits on a huge 0.60 lot and has an awesome 30x30 detached garage! The 2nd garage is ideal for handymen, mechanics OR it could be transformed in...
Welcome to this approximately 3300 Square Feet home located in a sought-after Travelers Rest neighborhood! Offering 4-bedrooms and 2.5-bathrooms with an office and bonus ...
Welcome to 9 Colony Rd. This home is ready to go and is a rare find for this area! This 3 bed/2 bath, ranch-style home is in the established family neighborhood of Points...
Beautifully remodeled home perfectly located in the heart of Travelers Rest! This house has been converted from a 3 bed 1 bath to a 4 bed 2.5 bath 2,150 sqft. Located ¼ m...
Welcome to 25 Velo Way in the highly sought-after Velo neighborhood, nestled along the scenic Swamp Rabbit Trail and just one mile from the heart of charming downtown Tra...
New Build - 3 bdrms/2.5 bths, 1956 heated space, in new country setting sub-division, granite countertops, large kitchen island and walk in pantry, LVP throughout, gas lo...
"Welcome to your dream oasis!” This meticulously remodeled luxury home is a masterpiece both inside and out, offering unparalleled comfort and sophistication. Every detai...
Nestled in the heart of Travelers Rest, SC, 70 Setting Sun beckons with its quaint charm and high-quality finishes. This .94-acre haven exudes mature landscaping, providi...
Modern Elegance Meets Craftsman Charm ~ Step into luxury living with this exquisite 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home boasting 3,253 sq. ft. of meticulously designed space. Si...
TURN-KEY RENTAL Opportunity or flexible family living home with its SECONDARY LIVING QUARTERS. This extraordinary all-brick home is just minutes away from the vibrant dow...
ACTIVE AIRBNB. CONTACT AGENT FOR SHOWINGS. Phenomenal investment opportunity located in the heart of downtown Travelers Rest. This property features a fully furnished an...
Located in the prestigious Cliffs Valley development, just a stone's throw from Greenville and a leisurely drive to Asheville, 605 Fernlawn Court in Travelers Rest, SC, i...
Welcome to your ranch style 4 bedroom, 2 bath home nestled on a generous corner .92-acre lot with mature trees in Travelers Rest. The heart of the home lies in the great ...
The Ridge at Sunset is a beautiful place to live located only minutes from the popular town of Travelers Rest and The Swamp Rabbit Trail...and only minutes from beautiful...
Seize this extraordinary opportunity! Nestled on over 7 acres just minutes from Travelers Rest, this custom-built ICF home boasts contemporary designs and features throu...
LOOKS TOTALLY DIFFERENT NOW! Wallpaper has been removed and walls have been painted - the home is now bright white for your 2024 decor aesthetic. This home has room to ...
This house has everything you’re looking for, and the potential for rental income. Located minutes from downtown Travelers rest, walking distance to the Swamp rabbit Trai...
WHY PAY RENT??? Renovated 3 bedroom 2 bath home on a private secluded wooded 4.2 +/- acres in sought after Travelers Rest. Absolutely ready to move in and enjoy your priv...
Welcome home to one level living on over a half an acre in beautiful Travelers Rest! This gated community is comprised of 15 homes on a quiet cul-de-sac, just minutes fr...
Welcome to 307 Jones Kelley Road sitting on 5+ acres, wooded for privacy, only minutes to Downtown Travelers Rest. This 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom property with a 2 car atta...
Welcome home to 107 Amadahy Lane in Glenview Park. Just minutes from Downtown Travelers Rest and a short walk or bike ride to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It's not often this ...
Welcome to 506 Woodheights Way, a stunning home nestled in the heart of Travelers Rest, South Carolina. This beautifully designed residence boasts a prime location in a d...
*** SELLER OFFERING 10K TO BUY DOWN RATE OR CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE WITH ACCEPTABLE OFFER!!! Welcome to the heart of Travelers Rest! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom p...
LOCATION! LOCATION! Welcome home to small-town living that’s bursting with charm and character! This 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home spans an impressive 3,238 square feet. Y...
This is what you have been waiting for! A true log cabin on over 2 acres of land. 150 Pleasant Retreat Road truly lives up to its name. Once you pull onto this property, ...
Your active family can have it all within the walls of 751 Tugaloo Road. Sitting on just under 5 acres with a luxury pool and home movie theatre, this 6 bedroom, 3 full b...
Spec Home in new country setting sub division - 2 story 3bdrm/2.5 bth plus bonus room, 2300+ heated space, hardwoods in main living area, carpet in bedrooms, ceramic tile...
Travelers Rest area! Quality built home by local contractor in 2019-Freshly painted and carpets cleaned-Large wooded lot just north of Travelers Rest and minutes from Nor...
Large Travelers Rest home!!! Just over 4000 square feet! This three bedrooms downstairs and two bedrooms plus additional family room upstairs is just a seven minute drive...
Nestled in the mountains just minutes from Greenville, SC, make yourself at home in the comfort and convenience of The Cliffs Valley gated golf and wellness community. 1...
Welcome to 211 Kilburn Ln, a charming home nestled in the heart of Travelers Rest, SC. Location is key, and this residence is just a stone's throw away from the vibrant ...
Welcome to Park North at Pinestone located in the heart of downtown Travelers Rest, a vibrant hub known for its enchanting blend of small-town charm, local eateries, live...
Welcome to Park North at Pinestone located in the heart of downtown Travelers Rest, a vibrant hub known for its enchanting blend of small-town charm, local eateries, live...
Quiet established neighborhood within walking distance to the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Travelers Rest. Near Furman University and close to Greenville SC. 3 bedroom 2 full b...
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PROPERTY THAT HAS IT ALL? This unique property is truly a must see. The home features 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half bathrooms, an office, a bonus room an...
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PROPERTY THAT HAS IT ALL? This unique property is truly a must see. The home features 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half bathrooms, an office, a bonus room an...
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