GREENVILLE’S NEWEST ATTRACTION
—HISTORIC WALKING TOURS
GREENVILLE, S.C.—Beginning August 25th, local residents and tourists will be offered an experience unlike any other in Greenville—a tour of the town! Greenville History Tours is pleased to announce the start of a weekly walking tour service in the vibrant downtown of Greenville. Guests will enjoy tours that bring to life stories of the compelling people, buildings, events, and developments that have transformed Greenville from a small Indian trading post to a world-class business and tourist destination.
A unique feature of Greenville History Tours will allow guests to view old photographs and paintings that document the city’s history, such as Vardry McBee’s 1816 mill in Falls Park, a view of Greenville’s Main Street from 1825, and Robert Mills’s beautiful County Courthouse before it was torn down. Comparing historic points of interest to the same sites as they look today will reveal what has changed and what endures.
Instead of gazing up and wondering about intriguing old buildings, visitors will discover their unique backgrounds through interesting facts and anecdotes. They will also learn about the characters behind the city’s monuments and statues that inspired these memorials to be created. Highlights of the Falls Park/West End tour include discussion of early settlers, the textile manufacturing era, local civil war history, famous Greenvillians, and recent development projects. Tours starting at City Hall will focus on the historic buildings of Main St. including the County Courthouse, Poinsett Hotel, Liberty Building, Cauble Building as well as demolished landmarks like the Woodside Building, Records Building, Mansion House, and the Beattie Building. Becoming more familiar with the city’s past will help foster an appreciation for the remarkable development Greenville is currently experiencing.
Downtown’s thriving businesses—from international corporations to unique specialty shops, from grand vintage hotels to modern residential complexes, from popular chain restaurants to delightful outdoor bistros and cafes—testify to the resilience and magnetism of the city’s allure. Greenville’s rich historic past provides an informing backdrop to the thriving metropolitan life enjoyed by many who visit and live downtown. Greenville History Tours will fill a vital role as a frontline for guests to get to know our city and learn about current and upcoming events.
Greenville History Tours will also provide a dynamic new option in the growing list of “things to do” in the heart of downtown. Our city is quickly becoming known across the country for its quality of life, natural beauty and business incentives. Tours will provide a key service in promoting native appreciation and compelling visitors to return wanting to know more.
TOUR LOCATIONS and TIMES:
- Falls Park, main entrance (Camperdown Way and Main St.)
Fridays 5:45, 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays 12:00, 3:00, 7:00 p.m.
- City Hall, outside main entrance
Saturdays 1:30, 4:30 p.m.
All tours are weather permitting.
DURATION: 50 minutes
COST: $8 per person; kids 10 and under free.
The tour operator will collect payment before the tour begins.
PRIVATE TOURS:
Private group tours of 8 or more people can be scheduled by appointment on Thursday evenings after 6:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings between 8:00-11:00 a.m. The cost for private tours is $8 per person plus a $35 reservation fee per group of up to 20 people. Cancellations will still be charged the $35 reservation fee. If your group has a particular special field of interest, we will try our best to cater the tour to address those special requests.
Private group tours are made available especially for the following groups: corporate businesses, clubs, service organizations, churches, schools, and more.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
John M. Nolan, Director
Greenville History Tours
100 Buttercup Way, Suite #71
Taylors, SC 29687
T: 864.567.3940
e-mail: curatornolan@aol.com
www.greenvillehistorytours.com
