Home Care In Travelers Rest, SC

TRAVELERS REST – A 200-year old inn has been brought back to life after years of work.

The Spring Park Inn, located on Main Street in Travelers Rest just steps from the Swamp Rabbit Trail, is open for public tours once more, 100 years after it served as a vibrant gathering place for the rural community.

In the 1800s, visitors from the Lowcountry seeking the mountains’ cooler temperatures might have disembarked the railroad and walked to the inn’s covered porch as locals gathered around the nearby gazebo to hear political speeches or listen to music, said Rosemary Bomar, the past president of the Travelers Rest Historical Society.

“We hope (the house and grounds) can be in lots of ways a gathering spot for the community again,” Bomar said.

In 2020, Nell Gibson — whose family had owned the home for almost 150 years — donated the house and grounds to the Historical Society. The organization has since worked to restore the property and it is now reopening the home for public tours.

The Spring Park Inn was once one of several stops on the historic road that stretched from Augusta — the closest port to the sea — through Greenville County into the North Carolina mountains and on to Tennessee and Kentucky.

U.S. Highway 25 roughly follows the same path today, said Anne Peden, a local historian who wrote a book on the roadway.

The road first emerged as a Native American trading path, Peden said. Later, farmers from as far away as Tennessee and Kentucky used it to transport livestock to Augusta, where a river port could take commerce out to the sea. Stagecoaches also traveled the route, bringing wealthy visitors from the Lowcountry to summer resorts in the mountains.

The Spring Park Inn was likely built sometime in the 1820s, according to the Travelers Rest Historical Society website. At first, it was a private residence owned by Aquilla Bradley and his wife.

In 1850, Chevis and Mary McCarrell Montgomery acquired the property and officially made it an inn. In a newspaper advertisement from the time, Montgomery wrote that he “pledges himself that no pains shall be spared to make all comfortable that may think proper to give him a call” and “charges are as reasonable as can possibly be afforded.”

In the 1870s, Robert Wright Anderson and his wife Mary McCullough Anderson took over the inn. They helped build a railroad platform nearby, meaning passengers arriving in Travelers Rest could be delivered straight to their door.

It was during this time that the inn reached its peak, according to information from the Historical Society, with community members using the establishment as a place to gather, listen to music, play baseball or enjoy ice cream socials, among other activities.

Anderson’s descendants continued to operate the inn until 1941, when they turned it into a kind of local boarding house. A few decades later, the descendants made the home into a private residence again, which it remained until Gibson donated the property to the Historical Society.

Now, the inn has been restored to what it looked like around the turn of the 19th century when it was most popular. Bomar said restorers repaired the home, repainted it with period colors, and decorated it with Victorian decorations, like carpeting, wallpaper and curtains.

The work was funded by money from Gibson and other local donors, Bomar said. She declined to name the total cost. Long-term plans call for the property to be transformed into a community park, but the Historical Society has not announced any plans for that yet.

The Spring Park Inn will be open free-of-charge Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturdays, visitors can sign up for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. - A 10-year-old boy was injured after he was hit by a delivery truck in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol says the crash happened on West Drive in Travelers Rest at 5:25 p.m. on Friday.

Family members and multiple witnesses says an Amazon delivery truck hit Ethan, a 10-year-old who was riding his bike in the neighborhood.

“I went back in from our walk. Next thing, I heard all these sirens,” said neighbor Robert Boyer. “Unfortunately, Ethan had been hit.”

Boyer said he always looks forward to seeing Ethan on his walks. He said on Friday, he saw Ethan lying on the ground with first responders around him, only minutes after passing by him.

Ethan was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, according to troopers.

Ethan’s parents say he remains in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. They said Ethan is stable, but has a long road to recovery.

“Ethan is doing as well as can be expected. He’s in the process of recovering,” said Boyer. “An accident like that is not common at all. That’s not what we hear about in this neighborhood.”

Ethan’s parents said that Amazon has not reached out to them. Meanwhile, a neighbor commented that Amazon trucks need to slow down and look out.

“People need to understand what actually happened here and why it happened and the circumstances, because it’s very avoidable and we shouldn’t let it happen,” said Boyer.

When asked for a statement, Amazon referred to law enforcement for updates:

“Until we get more information, we’ll defer to law enforcement for any updates,” Public Relations Manager with Amazon, Jesus Garcia said.

Troopers say no one has been charged in the crash at this time.

If you’d like to help Ethan recover you can find a link to a fundraiser here.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

There's so much about South Carolina that could be described as enchanting—the historic architecture, the lowcountry scenery, the charming small towns. But I've recently discovered an Airbnb that takes the notion of enchantment to a whole new level: Castle in the Woods. This overnight castle in South Carolina is a stately home where you can stay for a few nights in a private room to live out your most magical, royal-inspired travel dream.

Arriving at Castle in the Woods in Travelers Rest feels a bit like you've left the state of South Carolina altogether and have landed in the middle of a fairytale. This private residence offers one of its exquisite rooms to guests for a magical stay. You won't have the whole space to yourself, but you will have access to some of the most stunning rooms and shared spaces. It's a bit like staying inside a castle-themed hotel, where every amenity has been thought of, and comfort is key.

A quick tour reveals the attention to detail and stunning aesthetic, which guests agree is even lovelier than the photos suggest. Your private guest room is truly fit for a queen, and it's fittingly called the Queen Room. This suite has a private attached bath, luxurious bedding, and a view of the woods. You'll love admiring the intricate details on the wood-carved bed frame and unique artwork in gilded frames. The room sits on the third floor; if mobility is a challenge, an elevator is available.

In addition to your private guest room, you'll have access to a few shared spaces, including the first-floor living room and television, the second-floor balcony and patio, the library, and dining room. You're also welcome to store food and beverages in the refrigerator and make use of the coffee machine. The host is committed to giving guests plenty of space and privacy but is availble for questions should anything come up during your stay.

When you're ready for some fresh air, feel free to explore the property's 10 private acres. Or, continue on to downtown Travelers Rest, which is just a short drive away. For a fun, local place to dine, be sure to check out the Treehouse Cafe & Studio. Prefer to go for a hike? The Bunched Arrowhead Nature Preserve Loop is an easy, 1.3-mile loop through the woods. Greenville is also nearby, with its picturesque Falls Park on the Reedy and the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Returning to your private room in an overnight castle, you'll feel like nothing short of royalty. And, if the reviews are any indication, you'll be planning a return trip in no time. In fact, many travelers have stayed at Castle in the Woods multiple times, which tells me this is a place worth experiencing at least once. So, what do you think? Will you spend the night in a castle? Send this article to a fellow travel enthusiast and let the adventures begin!

Inspired to keep exploring? Plan your own trip to Travelers Rest, South Carolina with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an arson at a local cemetery.

Investigators with the agency’s arson unit responded to a fire that was intentionally set on Wednesday at Mountain View Memorial Park in Travelers Rest.

Deputies said the fire was started in a mausoleum and damaged multiple memorial markers and a granite statue.

Folks at the memorial park said the vandals used flowers and signs through the cemetery to start their fire. They also said this is the second time in a year the mausoleum has been vandalized. Previously vandals busted out the stone in a memorial depicting Jesus.

Families with loved ones laid to rest at the memorial said they’re upset seeing the vandalism happen.

“If they’re evil enough to do something like this, what will they not do?” Todd Bayne whose father is laid to rest in the mausoleum said.

“This is a very sick person first of all. We pray that they find Jesus. Clearly there’s a lot of evilness in their heart,” Stephanie Crain whose father is laid to rest in the mausoleum said.

“Jesus is real. Jesus is real. He does want to love you and he does love you, even though you did this,” Kayla Sparks whose grandfather is in the mausoleum said.

Officials estimate repairs will cost more than $20,000.

“A careless and disrespectful act not only affected the memorial but all family members associated with the mausoleum,” deputies said in a Facebook post.

The good news is that workers with the cemetery were able to repair all damaged headstones by Thursday. However, the damaged memorial could take several months to repair.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact CRIMESTOPPERS of Greenville at 864-23-CRIME (864-232-7463).

TRAVELERS REST — One of Greenville County’s few remaining locally owned bookstores will soon relocate from a growing Main Street.

As The Page Turns, which has operated for 17 years in various locations around Travelers Rest, first moved downtown across from Topsoil Restaurant in 2020.

If the store renewed its lease at 32 S. Main St. when the year ends, the rent increase on the table would’ve doubled the current rate.

Given the slim profit margins independent bookstores operate under, that would’ve brought expenses to an unsustainable level, said Amy Williams, the store’s owner. Any amount of rent increase wouldn’t have been viable for them, she said.

“Our landlord has been exceptionally, really fantastic with us,” Williams said. “No hard feelings there at all for any reason. They've been really great for us, and we understand their position on needing to increase the rent.”

The property owners, through their real estate broker, declined to comment.

As The Page Turns’ new location at 3 Plaza Drive off Highway 25 will open on Oct. 1. It’s about a four-minute drive from the current store.

Williams turned to social media in mid-August, asking the community to chip in to help the business cover its expenses during the move. She said the store can’t afford to cover rent at the new location while paying out the remaining three months at the current place.

When the news broke, community members rallied behind the store. A GoFundMe page set up by Williams gathered more than $3,400 in less than two weeks.

Patrons and authors who frequent As The Page Turns said they appreciated the business for its community feel and regular events with local artists and authors. Some shared concerns about the growing popularity of Travelers Rest making it harder to do business in town.

Dianne Scherer said she appreciates the store because Williams herself is widely read — they both share a love for Scandinavian noir. An independent bookstore makes a town feel more intimate and community-oriented, she said.

“I'm going to follow her to the new store without a problem,” Scherer said.

Rowe Carenen, an author and patron of the store, said she feels like the move is a reflection of growth pressures on longtime Travelers Rest residents. Rents at a sprawling, new community near downtown start around $1,400 for one-bedroom apartments.

Despite her broader concerns, Carenen said she saw some opportunities for the business in its new location, even if they won’t have the same access to foot traffic that was more common on Main Street.

“I think it's going to be very cozy,” Carenen said. “I think it's going to give them … the opportunity … to be a more curated selection, because it's much smaller, and that has some definite pros.”

At its new location, As The Page Turns will still host local events and hold monthly markets. The new space is smaller, so they will likely find some off-site storage. Williams maintained that the location is the only thing that will change.

“We have absolutely loved our time on Main Street. We've loved that building,” Williams said, later adding, “At the end of the day, the bookstore belongs to the community.”