On the evening of February 17, 1865, the occupants of this house saw the reflections in the sky of Columbia as it was burning.

–– Kate Obear

By Ceille Baird Welch

The Obear–Williford house on the west side of North Congress Street now serves as Winnsboro’s Town Hall. “Yankees broke into the home,” recorded Kate Obear, “but retreated hastily when they found one of the children sick with what they thought was scarlet fever.”

The homes, churches, cemeteries, and public buildings of Winnsboro, some dating back as early as the 1700s, provide a quiet lesson in history just waiting to be studied. Here are a just a few of the chapters that should not be skipped.

 

1. The Town Clock (1833)

Congress/ Washington St.

2. Thespian Hall (1833. Old Railway Station & Theatre) E. Washington St.

3. Robert Brice House (1850. “mosquito

cottage”) Zion St.

4. Cornwallis House (Cornwallis

headquarters.) Zion St.

5. Willingham House (Occupied by British troops.) College/Vanderhorst St.

6. McFreight House. (1774. First board house.) North Vanderhorst St.

7. Boylston House (1853. Winnsboro’s most elegant.) S. Congress St.

8. Ketchen Building (c. 1830. Now a

museum.) S. Congress St.

9. Bratton House (Federal troops on horse-back destroyed interior stairs.) Zion St.

10. Hannahan House (c.1830. Contains signed & dated drawings.) Zion St.

11. The News and Herald Building (News and Herald Tavern) E. Washington St.

12. S.C. Railroad Museum.  South of

Winnsboro. SC 34/ US 321. (Will be running Easter Bunny Train on March 19.)

 

A map with a complete listing of historical points of interest, including churches and cemeteries, as well as information on upcoming events can be obtained from The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce located beneath The Town Clock. (803) 635-4242