Skip to main content

Pickleball, described by some as a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton, is a popular pursuit for hundreds of Aiken County residents, and the county is home to a variety of pickleball courts spread among parks, schools and neighborhood associations. 

Community support is the bedrock of local journalism. If you aren't already among our loyal subscribers, please consider supporting our important work of covering Aiken County and beyond.

AGY, 2556 Wagener Road: Makes glass fiber used in electronics, aeronautics, defense and several other industries. 

The natural beauty of Aiken has drawn people to it since the county first gained renown in the late 19th century as a winter colony for the fashionable set. To this day, that beauty in its varied manifestations, has been preserved. Here are four places to visit, whether it’s for sights, the recreation or the wildlife. 

There's been a building boom for new golf courses in and near Aiken County recently, but don't forget one that might have slipped under the radar when it was unveiled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Athletics and entertainment go hand in hand across Aiken County. From baseball to drag racing, there is a venue for everyone.

An ongoing cavalcade of new restaurants plus a full roster of old favorites make Aiken an eater's delight. With an eye towards diversity and geographical range within the county, I put these five on a pedestal because each inspires return visits time and again.

Aiken: William Aiken Sr. founded and served as the first president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. The company built the Charleston to Hamburg rail line that led to the founding of Aiken. However, Aiken wouldn't live to see the town that carries his name. He died in 1831 in…

From its earliest days, Aiken County has played a significant role in American history. Our special slice of the state abounds in cultural landmarks whose importance extends well beyond county lines.

From art to theater to music, Aiken’s many arts organizations offer residents a full palette of opportunities to take in a show, act in a play, attend a concert or create art of their own.

From hiking through one of America’s largest urban forests to gazing at the stars to going retro for a night at the drive-in, Aiken County offers residents and visitors unique opportunities for recreation, education and entertainment.

For people looking for something spooky and educational to do this Halloween season, Kent Cubbage’s Ghost Tours may be just the thing.

With its small-town charm, Southern flair, and array of outdoors activities, Aiken has been a top-ranked retirement destination for years. The city's convenient location, mild weather, and quiet way of life make it a great place for people to spend their golden years. One does not have to lo…

The city of North Augusta, founded in 1906, is Aiken County’s second-largest city and is located just across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia. The area was home to three previous towns, including Hamburg, which was the terminus for the Charleston-Hamburg railroad line, the longest in…

The City of Aiken, founded in 1835, is Aiken County’s largest city and the county seat. Known primarily as a former Winter Colony visited by wealthy Notherners, Aiken boasts dozens of beautiful homes dating back to that era. Other legacies of the winter colonists included Hitchcock Woods, a …

The land around Montmorenci, possibly named for a village in France, consisted mostly of cotton plantations before the S.C. Canal and Rail Road Company laid train tracks and built a station and turning facility in 1833. The railroad also passed through nearby Windsor on its way from Branchvi…

Situated on the land that once comprised the farm of Eldridge Gunter, the town of Wagener grew when the Southern Railroad built a line through Batesburg in 1887. A small community of just over 600, Wagener has a museum that documents the development of the community, with artifacts from form…

Habitat and wildlife diversity make Silver Bluff a favorite destination for those interested in birds, wildflowers, photography or simply a quiet walk. Visitors can enjoy the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary, situated on 3,000 acres along the Savannah River. The name derives from ea…

As home to the oldest inland settlement in the United States, Beech Island may be the most historical area of Aiken County. Savano Town began in the late 1600s when Indian tribes traded with settlers in the town, near present day Beech Island. Visit the Beech Island Historical Society and l…

In my weekly column, now in its 33rd year, I often tackle topics related to the recorded history of this area. That record is long. Indeed, what would eventually become Aiken County appears in the manuscript journal of Hernando de Soto, who crossed the Savannah River in 1540 in search of sil…

A different kind of fox hunt is available in Aiken. Kitting Around Aiken, a partnership with the City of Aiken and Kitfox Pediatric Dentistry, is a permanent public art project and scavenger-style hunt for sleuths of all ages to enjoy. Six bronze baby foxes, or kits, have been installed in s…

The construction of the Charleston & Hamburg Railroad in the 1830s was an unprecedented engineering feat. Its builder was the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, and Aiken, a stop along the way, was named in honor of the firm’s president, William Aiken. Two railroad engineers desi…

Founded in 1952, the Aiken Community Theatre presents comedies, dramas and musicals – all performed by local talent. The theater, which boasts a year-round schedule of plays, presents performances in a state-of-the-art theater in the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Aiken. …

The Midland Valley area is a region of Aiken County comprised of the small, unincorporated communities of Graniteville, Gloverville, Vaucluse, Warrenvile, Langley, Bath, Clearwater and the town of Burnettown. It's also known as the Horse Creek Valley, named for a small tributary of the Savan…

Aiken is an internationally recognized center of horse history and culture, and equestrian events are scheduled throughout the year. The Aiken Triple Crown kicks off in mid March with the Aiken Trials flat racing at the Aiken Training Track. Next is the Aiken Spring Steeplechase at the Aiken…

If you enjoy going out to eat, Aiken County is a great place to be. The dining scene includes innovative gourmet restaurants, meat-and-three lunchrooms, soulful barbecues and inconspicuous cafes that serve authentic dishes from throughout the Western Hemisphere. Here are five favorites – dow…

Aiken County is known for being rich in equestrian love. To honor the strong equine traditions, the community held an arts education fundraiser called "Horseplay" in 2003-04 where nearly 30 life-size fiberglass horse statues were created. These horses, with their own personalities and names,…

See history come alive with cannons, cavalry horses and living history experts at the Battle of Aiken each February. The booming cannons, charging soldiers and gunfire attract big crowds at the annual living history event. For three days, re-enactors eat, sleep, live and fight in a recreated…


If you're interested in submitting news, click here.