Central South Carolina

Central is a town located in Pickens County, South Carolina, in the northwest corner of Upstate SC. Central is midway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. Central is within a half-hour drive are the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Hartwell Lake, Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. Central offers a small town community and wonderful atmosphere for those looking for a quiet, relaxing location.

The population was 3,522 at the 2000 census and in 2007 was 4092. Central covers about 2.5 square miles. Central is about 28 miles from Greenville, 3.5 miles from Clemson, and 13 miles from Seneca. 

Central came into being because of a railroad boom that began in 1873. The town's name represents the fact that it is midway between Atlanta and Charlotte. The railroad decided to set up its shops here and the place was called Central. A depot and houses were built for railroad workers. Stores came next to provide supplies and food for the people. Shops for the railway workers were built to be the Terminal where engines were refueled, repaired and changed. Railroad employees brought their families and built many new homes.

On the north bank of the railroad track, a long platform was erected for the coal chute where big, heavy dump carts were kept loaded with black shiny coal. At the end of the coal was a great tank of water that seemed to be always overflowing. Branching off the right of the track toward the textile mill was the “Y” for turntable, where the engines were changed. Just below the tank, across from a large grove of trees, a long rambling hotel was built. The hotel served not only for an eating-house, but also for telegraph operators, dispatchers, ticket office, waiting room, and a sample room for drummers to display their lines for the inspection of local merchants. After the hotel closed, it was the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Sims. The building burned in 1936.

Central was incorporated as a town, according to an Act of the South Carolina Legislature in 1875. The town extended one-half mile in each direction from the Airline Depot. The charter was renewed and amended on December 18, 1885. In 1897, the Southern Railway moved its headquarters from Central to Greenville. The first trainload of cars pulled out Sunday, July 4, 1897, leaving a dazed group of citizens. All shops and all offices were closed. The trains no longer stopped to change engines. Families that had built their homes and settled down were uprooted. Houses were vacant and business was at a standstill. A fire broke out one night that almost wiped out downtown Main Street and there was no fire fighting equipment.

Local businessmen in 1903 opened Issaqueena Mill. The Wesleyan College (Southern Wesleyan University) began classes in the fall of 1906 and brought in more people. Central High School moved into its new quarters in the brick building on Church Street in September 1909.

World War I broke out and many Central men enlisted to fight overseas. In 1918 influenza hit the nation and Central was not spared. The Depression really hurt Central since the town's two banks failed, mill stocks fell to a low ebb, and Issaqueena Mill passed to the hands of a receiver.

 Isaqueena Mill furnished the town’s first water system and the first sewer system was completed about 1949. Acetylene lights were used in some homes, but most homes depending on kerosene lamps and lanterns until electricity was introduced. Issaqueena Mill generated its own electric power and furnished some electric power to Central. About 1917 Central contracted for electricity from Lenhardt Dam, a power source on Twelve Mile River. Around 1935 Duke Power bought the right to furnish Central’s electrical power.

At the center of Central is a small, quaint downtown, cut in two by a by a rail line. A significant number of late 19th to early 20th century commercial buildings remain, most of which are a single story in height and retain a good amount of historical integrity. As of summer 2006, a downtown rivatization project is underway that is designed to improve the area. There are also many pre-WWII homes near the downtown, although most are relatively modest.

Central is particularly proud of its heritage. The Central Heritage Society has a museum and information on many historic buildings and homes in the area. Two buildings in Central are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Central high School and Morgan House.

 With a convenient location, comfortable climate and friendly people, Central is a wonderful place to live and you can use this website to search real estate for sale in Central!