It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting York Downtown Historic District in York, SC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in York, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one?”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill,”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us. I live out of state and I have a brother who lives near the client, but he has a full-time job. It really takes a village to take care of the clietn now. I just feel like this agency is part of that village. They really have his best interest at heart. They give great care, but they're also super easy to work with and you feel important with them. I have recommended the agency to many people. I like the owner, Phil. He is just a really stand-up guy. He is very knowledgeable and he is very empathetic. You don't get the feeling that he is in the business to make money and provide livelihood. He really cares about people and really wants the clients taken care of well. I think he has a lot of expertise and compassion. Everyone that we have dealt with there has been great. I also like the caregiver that we've had, Fawn. She has been with the client for over 15 months. She is just really great with the client. He is in assisted living now but we choose to have her go in still for more companion care for the client. She is just a really sweet person and helps us with keeping up to date with what the client needs. He just loves having her around.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what they got to do. I like that they are really friendly and nice. They do not talk to him in a sharp way, they are really good with him.”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so I asked them for someone a bit older, and they did that. I would recommend them because they are prompt, and they have good people.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she is has made this so positive. I like the assistant that they have sent to help my brother.”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very professional and they truly care about their clients...I highly recommend Always Best Care of Rock Hill”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one? Look no further than Phil and his team at Always Best Care of Rock Hill!”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They are informative and helpful. When I need to schedule care, they are very responsive. Definitely a good choice in companion care.”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill, SC is by far the best! They treat their clients and caregivers with generosity and compassion. They go "above and beyond" in every area. You can't go wrong with them.”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we needed to make changes in the schedule. After dealing with two other agencies I wish I had gone with them from the start. They deserve a 10!”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a past client of this provider, but because I continue to receive words of encouragement and advise from them, I still claim the current client status. Their help with my mother that was provided while she was at home was fantastic. They also have helped guide us through hospital and rehab stays. I would have to give them a 5 star rating and honestly can not think of one thing that went wrong on their part while we used their care The Caregiver was excellent. I wholeheartedly would recommend Always Best Care to anyone that finds themselves needing a caregiver to come along beside them.”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at Always Best Care were very responsive to our needs for 24/7 care for about 8 weeks. They try hard to have the same caregivers come to the house for continuity of care. The family really appreciated Phil's assistance with placing my parents in Assisted Living. His knowledge of the local York County homes was invaluable to placing my parents in a welcoming environment. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to help with senior care!”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents. They're fantastic. The caregivers are professional, courteous, entertaining, and accommodating. They mainly provide medication management and companionship. I feel like they give personal touches, and there's a certain professionalism to them that other agencies I contacted didn't have.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed you.”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past year. The AMAZING part is that I live in CA and they're providing these services in Rock Hill. When I have any questions they are quick to get my answer back in a timely manner.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers for my 91 year old father for more than 2 years now. I have been happy with their staff. My father is cared for with love and dignity and with their help I've been able to keep him in my home.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in locating an assisted living facility for my Mother. Very professional and I would use them again.”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good job with providing home assistance with my mother and I am happy to recommend their services to others. The home care assistantswere friendly, patient, and respectful. Above all, I was extremely pleased with the active role the president, Phil Davidson, took in my mother’s care. He was exceptional at balancing professionalism and personal concern as he took a genuine interest in my mother’s well-being, he checked in periodically to see how the home care was going, and he diligently communicated with both family and staff. Phil’s efforts and those of the ABC staff are very much appreciated.”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful live-in care for our Grandfather from June through October 2013. Our family found ourselves in the most unimaginable situation when our Grandmother was unexpectedly hospitalized in late May and ultimately passed away in June. As you know, she was the sole caregiver for our Grandfather who has severe Alzheimer's disease. We are so very fortunate that we discovered your agency! You were able to promptly place qualified caregivers in his home and this gave our family immediate peace of mind. The level of care and compassion that you and your caregivers demonstrated toward our Grandfather is more than we ever anticipated and we will be forever grateful. You all walked with him through the terrible tragedy of losing his wife of 67 years. You and your staff provided extraordinary physical and emotional care for him through his grief and made getting him back to a "normal" life your top priority upon her death. In addition to the care you all provided my Grandfather, you were so kind to help educate us on the progression of Alzheimer's. You were a wonderful resource to us on what to expect in the next phases of this disease and help us plan for long-term care for him. While we are very sad to have to place him in a memory care-assisted living facility, we made the decision knowing that this will be the best place for him as he ages and his disease worsens. Your guidance and expertise in helping us choose the right facility for him helped make this daunting task bearable. Thank you again for all that you have done for our grandfather and for our family! We will be forever grateful!”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during this summer. The care givers that we had were excellent and very professional. Thanks for being so flexible with the scheduling.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lincoln Park in York, SC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Tutoni's Restaurant or visit Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in York, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in York, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in York, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Arthur Lowry, who turns 91 next weekend, devoted his lifetime to public education. But the York native won’t spend his Friday nights cheering on his alma mater this fall. He won’t catch a school play or a basketball game there.That’s because Lowry’s alma mater, Jefferson High School, isn’t there anymore.“That was the story of my life,” he told The Herald. “My high school got wiped away. The junior college I attended got wiped away. The high school where I worked in Rock Hill got w...
Arthur Lowry, who turns 91 next weekend, devoted his lifetime to public education. But the York native won’t spend his Friday nights cheering on his alma mater this fall. He won’t catch a school play or a basketball game there.
That’s because Lowry’s alma mater, Jefferson High School, isn’t there anymore.
“That was the story of my life,” he told The Herald. “My high school got wiped away. The junior college I attended got wiped away. The high school where I worked in Rock Hill got wiped away. Everywhere I went to got wiped away. It got to be a way of life with me. It was one of those things you just had to accept.”
Thousands of Black students attended Jefferson High from 1888 to 1970. The school operated on West Jefferson Street starting in 1903, and relocated to a Rosenwald building on Pinckney Street in 1924. Integration moved Jefferson students to what’s now York Comprehensive High School by 1971.
On Saturday morning, a new historical marker honoring Jefferson High will be unveiled on Pinckney Street. An alumni group, Jefferson Remembered, partnered with York County’s Culture & Heritage Museums and the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission to create it.
The goal is to stir the collective memory of Jefferson High in the community, not just put up a sign.
“I’m looking a little bit beyond that,” said Phyllis Moore Ward, president of Jefferson Remembered.
For Lowry, a 1951 graduate, the ceremony will add an important piece to the city’s history — and his. “It’s a different feeling when you look at a school that you attended,” he said. “All you’ve got is memories. No building, no nothing there, just empty spaces. It has a lot of effect on you, if you think about it.”
The son of a brick mason, Lowry attended the former Friendship Junior College in Rock Hill and Benedict College in Columbia. He served 32 years in the Army, most of them as a reserve.
Lowry’s career as a social studies teacher, coach and administrator included six years at the all-Black Emmett Scott High in Rock Hill before integration. He worked at what’s now Castle Heights Middle School for 20 years after schools were desegregated, then nine more at Rock Hill High School.
School went from first- to 11th-grade in Lowry’s day. Jefferson High added its first senior class a couple of years before he graduated.
“I was glad,” Lowry said. “Because back then, for Blacks anyway, nobody had any jobs around here. There was farming and that type stuff. It was either school or mule. You choose which one you think you’d rather have.”
Lowry recalls a large brick elementary building and a four-room wooden high school. Jefferson didn’t have a school bus until his junior year. “All the other times we walked,” Lowry said. “Rain, shine, sleet or snow.”
Some students rode bikes up to five miles to get to school. Attendance dipped when the weather got bad. Students in more distant spots like rural Hickory Grove or Sharon, simply didn’t go to Jefferson.
“If their parents wasn’t fortunate enough to have a car for them to come to school, they didn’t come to school,” Lowry said. “They had no way to get there. It’s too far to walk.”
For students who made it, Jefferson was an invaluable part of the community, he said.
Lowry remembers Friday night sock hops and sports rivalries with other all-Black schools like Emmett Scott, Roosevelt High in Clover and George Fish School in Fort Mill. Apart from balcony seats for a movie at the Sylvia Theater, school was about the only social gathering spot in town.
“The school and the church were the only two places that we had to go,” Lowry said. “Back then, for Blacks, if it didn’t happen at school or church, it didn’t happen. That was it.”
Lowry also remembers teachers who cared deeply about students. Back then, teachers would come to the house at report card time to deliver grades.
“You sit there with bated breath hoping you got a good report,” Lowry said. “Because at my house, if I got a bad report I knew what the deal was going to be when the teacher left.”
Facilities and supplies weren’t the best, he said, but teachers worked with them.
A science lab that might’ve had one microscope and a few frogs to dissect, he said, produced graduates who succeeded in all sorts of fields, science included.
“They did a marvelous job,” Lowry said. “With the resources that they had to offer us, we were able to go out and compete with kids from other areas that had a whole lot more than what we had.”
Lowry’s long career in education taught him something, that often students can sort out problems quicker than parents can.
With integration, York brought its Green Dragon mascot. Jefferson had Blue Devils and kids from Hickory Grove had been Cardinals. The integrated school rotated mascots by sport season for a while.
“The kids got together and decided they were Cougars,” Lowry said, “and that was the best thing that could’ve happened.”
While at Jefferson, Lowry and classmates would leave in the afternoon and follow the railroad track around to York High. They’d meet up to fight.
“And then we’d play baseball against each other,” Lowry said. “And it’d go pretty good until there was a little close play or something, and then the fight would start. But nobody got hurt. Nobody had guns or knives or anything like that. Just a little fist brawl. It was common during that time.”
There weren’t size classifications for schools like Jefferson, so teams played much larger schools in Spartanburg or Union counties.
Still, Jefferson for a time was a basketball powerhouse. More than 20 years before schools integrated, Lowry said, a principal at Jefferson High proposed a basketball game against all-white York as a school fundraiser.
“Some of the people on the school board wanted to run him out of town for even coming up with such a weird idea,” Lowry said.
Karen Lowry is the only child of Arthur and his late wife Rubye. Karen went to Jefferson for six years, then to York schools for six more after integration.
“It was a little scary at first,” Karen Lowry said.
At Jefferson, she couldn’t write on the backs or margins of notebook paper. At York she could. At York, students weren’t required to cover their text books every year.
“That was just about like Santa Claus coming, right there,” Karen Lowry said.
Girls had to wear dresses — no pants — at Jefferson and boys had to tuck in their shirts. Karen Lowry also remembers Jefferson cheerleaders bringing some of their cheers to York ballgames. Integrated schools meant swapping rivalries with Emmett Scott or Roosevelt for other ones.
“Clover, we did not let beat us,” Karen Lowry said. “That was a no-no.”
Before going on to a second career with Duke Energy, she’d work for many years in education like her father. Karen Lowry had at stops in York, Rock Hill, Chester and, yes, Clover.
Arthur Lowry smiles as he recounts his youth, but not because it was easy. Like other areas throughout the South, York was heavily segregated.
“You rode the back of the bus, if you rode the bus,” he said. “Back of the train if you rode the train. Even when you had the Christmas parade, they’d give out those little Christmas packages. The white kids went to the front of the courthouse to get their bags. We went to the back of the courthouse to get our bags.”
York had few mills and they hired few Black people, he said. Most people he knew had a little money in September or October, and lived off credit the rest of the year. That’s because most of them worked on farms.
“I talk to school classes and they ask me if we had field trips,” Arthur Lowry said. “I said yeah. We went to the cotton field, the corn field. Those were the only fields.”
After World War II, many Black people left the area. They didn’t get paid much in the service, Arthur Lowry said, but it beat farming the fields. He spent time in New York and California himself, but didn’t care for city life. Many people he knew moved to bigger cities up north or out west.
“It took a lot of the know how from the community,” Arthur Lowry said. “A lot of the brighter students, they left.”
Arthur Lowry thinks of a segregated past in light of the present. Some people want to erase a past that can’t be erased, he said.
“You can’t change history,” Arthur Lowry said. “It’s there, whether you like it or not. It’s there. It’s going to be there. Best thing to do is take it and move on.”
So, why is some historical marker important, all these years after Jefferson High closed?
“You’ve got to know the past to figure out how you got the way you are now,” Arthur Lowry said. “And if you know how you got to where you are now, you can figure out where you’re going in the future. It’s one step after another.”
For him, Jefferson High remains one of the most important steps on that journey.
“As I look back at those years,” Arthur Lowry said, “I wouldn’t trade anything for them.”
The Jefferson High marker will be unveiled at 11 a.m. Saturday on Pinckney St. in York. Pinckney will be closed near the U.S. 321 and S.C. 49 intersection. Parking will be available near 16 Spruce St. and at 37 Pinckney St. behind York One Academy.
Are you looking for things to do in York, SC? We recently spent a few days exploring all that York County, South Carolina has to offer visitors and we found a lot! There’s something there no matter what your family enjoys doing. We discovered orchards, outdoor activities, and delicious food that we know you will enjoy. So, let us help you get ready for your next day trip to York, South Carolina!We were the guests of VisitYorkCounty.com for the purpose of this guide to York County, SC. However, the words and opinions of our t...
Are you looking for things to do in York, SC? We recently spent a few days exploring all that York County, South Carolina has to offer visitors and we found a lot! There’s something there no matter what your family enjoys doing. We discovered orchards, outdoor activities, and delicious food that we know you will enjoy. So, let us help you get ready for your next day trip to York, South Carolina!
We were the guests of VisitYorkCounty.com for the purpose of this guide to York County, SC. However, the words and opinions of our team member are honest and genuine.
One of the things I love about living in the Upstate is that I feel like there’s an infinite supply of things to explore not far from home. York County, South Carolina has proven to be a wealth of adventure opportunities, and I feel like we barely scratched the surface. During our two day visit, we found fun on a farm, a park full of butterflies, delicious food, and more! I’m so glad that all of this is just about 90 minutes from home, so I can go back whenever I want. Oh, and do I want to!
Since it’s so close, I’m going to list the things to see, do, and eat grouped so you can decide if you want to make a day or a weekend of a trip there! Hop in the car and head east to find adventure. The kids can keep busy in the car with these from places around York County.
Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.
1080 Draper Road, McConnells | 864.427.5140
The Draper Wildlife Area is most popular with the general public for its summer sunflower display during the month of July. Our trip to see the spectacle of acres of sunflowers was our introduction to York County this summer! You can read all about our visit to the huge field of sunflowers.
The Draper Wildlife Area also offers fishing from stocked lakes, and a special area for kids to fish from. Sign-up for the SCDR emails to be notified of fishing clinics hosted on the property for children.
2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill | 803.547.4575
This is probably one of the most beautiful things to do in York, SC, because the Greenway is nearly three times the size of New York City’s Central Park! The Springs milling family donated and maintains this land. A portion of which was purchased generations ago from the Catawba Indians. There is so much to see and do there! You can even go horseback riding here! You can learn all about our day at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, and how you can make a day of exploring this beautiful park.
255 East Rambo Road, Rock Hill | 803.324.3020
If you are a thrill seeker looking for a new adventure to be had on the water, this is the place you’ll find it! Southtown Wake Park offers several different water sports for visitors to try out. First-timers can practice on the smaller lake before heading to the larger course. If wakeboarding isn’t for you, there’s also a floating obstacle course, kayaking & paddleboarding available. If you really want to try wakeboarding, but you’re intimidated, try kneeboarding first. It’s the same kind of excitement as wakeboarding, with less to have to control.
1277 Park Road, Blacksburg | 864.936.7921
Have you ever noticed that large mountain to the right of I85 as you’re traveling to Charlotte?
If you’ve never heard of Kings Mountain State Park and you want to learn more, we’ve got all the details on why this park is a history-lovers paradise that also has lakes, hiking trails, and equestrian trails. Read Kristina’s review of her trip to the historical site of Kings Mountain.
448 Different South Carolina Agritourism Farm Locations
We discovered a fun activity while visiting York County. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture offers this free passport program to encourage people to explore their local food suppliers. With over 448 different locations throughout the state, it won’t be hard to collect enough to earn the prizes offered!
You can get four stamps just by visiting the locations included in this article! There are a bunch in the Greenville area too! Just ask for your passport at the first place you visit on the list of participating SC Agritourism locations.
1800 Black Highway, York | 803.684.2333
Most people think that Georgia is the peach capital of the South. Well, they’re wrong, it’s actually South Carolina. We produce more peaches here than our neighbors to the west. Black’s Peaches is where it all started, nearly 100 years ago in 1923.
While you’re visiting the oldest peach farm in the state, have a seat, and enjoy lunch. If you enjoy a big juicy cheeseburger, this is the spot! It’s not often I make note of how fresh a burger tastes, and while I don’t know how to explain what that tastes like – I found it here. You can get Pimento cheese sandwiches, tomato sandwiches, fries, and more.
After you’ve eaten – don’t forget to grab some fresh produce!
1650 Filbert Highway, York | 803.684.2732
Here in South Carolina, the strawberry season usually only lasts a few weeks. Here at Bush-N-Vine, they use greenhouses and other farming tricks to offer fresh strawberries most of the year! In addition to the berries, they offer other seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you visit Bush-N-Vine you have to try the fresh fruit slushies they make. We had blackberry and it was just perfect on a hot summer day.
Watch their social media account for when the PYO sunflower field is ready in the fall.
1860 Black Highway, York | 803.684.0690
If you like all things apple and apple cider, then this is the place you need to put on your end-of-summer bucket list. Windy Hill offers the standard orchard offerings of PYO apples, cider slushies, cider donuts, and apple cider; they make their own Hard Apple Cider. Folks, it doesn’t get fresher than that. You can sit among the apple trees sipping from a flight of Windy Hill’s Hard cider offerings while listening to live music on the weekends.
1906 Cherry Road, Rock Hill | 803.980.8151
Las Americas Supermarket not only has super awesome authentic tacos, they almost give them away weekly in celebration of Taco Tuesday. They are fifty cents apiece.
You heard me.
5 dimes, 2 quarters, or 10 nickels will buy you a warm scoop of meat wrapped in two corn tortillas and topped with cilantro and onion. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. But if you plan on partaking in the Taco Tuesday offer, you need to plan (and order) ahead. As I’m sure you can imagine the locals in Rock Hill order these up by the tray full, and once they’re all booked up, no hay más (there’s no more).
While you’re waiting on those delicious tacos, check out the murals wrapped around the side and rear of the building. There are Mexican legends adorning the wall, larger than life.
251 Textile Way, Fort Mill | 803.548.6868
Located in the Kingsley Town Center, Spice Asian Kitchen offers fusion cuisine convenient to the hotel on the same property where we stayed. We ordered up a feast of taking out and brought it back to the Courtyard by Marriott. The portions were huge; my kids split the Spicy Chicken Fried Rice and still only ate half.
We also ordered Chicken Pad Thai, Szechuan Dumplings, and the Roti Canai. Luckily the hotel has a mini-fridge, and we enjoyed our takeout again the next night for dinner!
1385 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill | 855.516.1090
Marriott offers some of the most family-friendly brands in hotels. That’s what makes it one of our family’s favorites. Whether you travel a lot as we do, or just once in a while, become a Marriott Bonvoy member. It gives you contactless check-in; you can use your phone as the door key, late check-in, and other member benefits. Plus, it’s free!
I especially appreciated the nesting tables in the room that we could pull out and use as a dining table for our meals. Breakfast is served along with Starbucks coffee downstairs every morning, or you can enjoy breakfast at one of the restaurants right outside of the hotel.
So, it’s time to start planning your next day trip to York, SC! What do you have planned?
803.466.6076
