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Blackville, S.C.
The town of Blackville, only 55 miles from Columbia, is the home of several recommended attractions, any one of which is well worth the hour's drive. But seeing all three of these attractions is a tourist's delight unparalleled in the entire region!
| The first of these attractions is Healing Springs, a series of springs that has a reputation for curative powers that can be traced back to the early 1700s, when the Indians believed that the water from these springs had secret healing powers. Legend tells us that when the Indians were sick or hurt, they would bathe in these waters and be cured of their ailments. |
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During the Revolutionary War, many soldiers having serious injuries were miraculously healed after bathing in these soothing waters, and when word spread of these curative powers, General Walker bartered with the Indians to secure ownership of the springs. | |
| The last owner of the springs, Luke Boyleston, was a deeply religious farmer who had bought the springs at an auction. Upon his death in 1944, Mr. Boyleston deeded Healing Springs back to God and willed that no earthly owner may ever again possess or control its waters. He believed that God intended for the cool waters of the Springs to be a source of comfort for the afflicted, and that it should remain so. |
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The Springs are in a woodland next to the Healing Springs Baptist Church, just a few miles outside of Blackville. It is said that iced tea made with the spring water will keep indefinitely, and it never turns dark but stays bright and clear. Analysis of the water shows that it contains properties of sodium carbonate, potassium sulphate, iron sesquioxide, ammonia and silica. | |
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Healing Springs and the surrounding picnic areas are open to the public during daylight hours. |
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Another recommended attraction in Blackville is Miller's Bread-Basket restaurant and Mini-Mall. You can see some of the unusual antiques, gifts, notions and souvenirs available at Miller's Mini-Mall featured in our Shops section.
And be sure to stop in next door at Miller's Bread-Basket, featuring the finest Pennsylvania Dutch cooking in the South!
While you're visiting Miller's, ask owner Ray Miller about some of the civic projects he is involved with, such as the Save Our Shamrock project, which seeks to rebuild this gem of a hotel dating back to 1912.
And right next door to Miller's is Parrott's On Lartigue, a treasure trove of antiques, collectibles, gifts, and even costumes! Located at 108 Lartigue Street, just around the corner from Main Street in downtown Blackville, owner Sara-Ann Shelton can be reached at 803-284-3870.
Blackville History
Blackville is located in that part of South Carolina known as the "Back Country." With a plentiful supply of drinking water and transportation, settlers came to the area prior to the Revolutionary War. The battle of Slaughter Field was fought near the Mennonite church in Blackville.
When the railroad was built between Charleston and Bamberg, John Black chose this area as an overnight stop for the train. Several hotels sprang up, as did the bustling railroad town. Blackville was established in 1833 and was chartered in 1837.
Blackville became a marketing and transportation center and thrived until the Civil War began in 1861. By February 1865, 60,000 Union troops had entered the town. General Sherman met with his generals here, burned much of the town, looted and left on his famous "march to the sea."
Blackville survived General Sherman's burning in 1887 and 1888. Many homes, buildings and churches survive today.
Visit a part of Blackville's history, Parrott's On Lartigue, established in 1859 as Brown of Blackville. See the store's original vault as well as the marble and wood cash drawer.
