12/15/2016 0 Comments The cutest City Hall you'll ever seeIf you're driving through downtown Conway, South Carolina down Main St there is no way you can miss seeing quite possibly the cutest city hall ever. I'm from the North and you don't really see that type of architecture anywhere so this was such a gem to discover when moving down South. After stopping by during their daily visiting hours (You CAN stop in and visit unless you actually need to go there for bad reasons haha just kidding) I learned a lot more about the building than I did before INCLUDING how old the building is. The building was completed in 1825 and was eventually purchased by the City of Conway in 1908. The Conway Town Clock is nearby on Third Avenue. The new courthouse is nearby on Second Avenue. This building served as the first court building as well as held all of the city's meetings. The interior definitely shows its age as the ceilings are extremely tall and the area is very spacious, open, yet small! I was very surprised on how small the court area was, but some of the ladies working there let it serve as a reminder on just how big this area has grown over time. If you have time definitely stop and witness the amazing architecture that the building has as well as the charm on the inside that housed all kinds of meetings for the city. Unless you're stopping by to pay off your parking ticket, I would totally recommend you visit while you're passing through.
History Rating: 10/10 Beauty Rating: 9/10 Best Behavior Rating: 11/10 (left with 0 tickets, yay!) Conway City Hall 1001 Third Avenue Conway, SC 29526
0 Comments
12/15/2016 0 Comments Encore needs another EncoreWho doesn't love wondering through the halls of the 2nd oldest home in Conway while sipping wine, getting amazing floral arrangements made, and looking at all of the coolest knick knacks? Didn't think so. I knew it, you want to go now. This was actually the first stop on a field trip I had during one of our Public History classes and I immediately fell in love with how charming this place is. It is seriously like taking a step back in history. We then met with the welcoming and extremely hospitable owner named Jeff who then sat us down and began telling us such fascinating stories. He explained that he opened Encore Florals and Fine Gifts in the historic Quattlebaum House on 225 Kingston St in Conway in February 2003. He loves talking to people and said that Encore has been described as “where the traditional encounters the unexpected.” The shop was built before the Civil War, and the entire home (over 3700 sq ft) is devoted to retail; therefore, no parts of the house are "off-limits". Our group during our adventure agreed that walking through the house is much like going for a visit to one's grandmother's home and having free run of the house. Jeff also explained although the exact construction date is unknown, the National Register of Historic Places officially recognized the Quattlebaum House in 1986 and categorized it as “built before 1850,” making it the second oldest home in the city of Conway. The oldest house, built in 1807, is located next door to Encore, and is currently used as a residence as is every other home on the Historic Walk other than Encore Florals and Gifts.
He then decided to ask our group if we believed in ghosts or the paranormal. We all looked at each other and shrugged. I know I definitely had my paranormal moments (I'm from Gettysburg PA) so the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I prepared myself for this one. He told us that Mrs. Quattlebaum had actually passed away in the house in her bedroom which is the first room on the left as you walk into the shop. He said that he had a cat that would always come in and out of the house, but whenever it would congregate inside it would lay in one specific spot. He found this odd because visitors would always try to move the cat because it would get in the way, but the cat would always come back and lay in that one spot. One day, one of Jeff's friends came by the shop and noticed the cat laying in the spot again. Jeff asked if he knew anything about it and the man said, "Don't you know?" Obviously Jeff didn't know what was going on and his friend explained to him how Mrs. Quattlebaum had died in that exact spot in her bed with her cat by her side. Immediately, Jeff knew that something strange was going on and from that day forward the cat continued to stay in that spot until it too passed away. After awhile of story telling and just catching up, he encouraged us to explore the house and to make ourselves at home, which is all too nice for someone who isn't entirely used to the southern hospitality. If you're ever close by and have some time to do some exploring, I strongly encourage everyone to stop by Encore Florals and Fine Gifts for good conversation, great arrangements, even better wine selection, all in the comfort of an amazing historic home. Historic Rating: 12/10 (seriously cool) Hospitality Rating: 10/10 (thanks Jeff!) Encore Florals And Fine Gifts 225 Kingston St Conway SC 29526 (843) 488-4086 When driving through Conway, South Carolina it is so easy to miss some hidden gems along the way because you're too excited to stick those piggies in the sand. HOWEVER here is one place you do not want to miss! Situated on 308 Main St in Conway is The Trestle Bakery and Cafe. Built in 1914, the building was originally the Horry Drug Company, providing the community with all of their pharmacy needs. Today, it is home to the BEST loaded grilled cheese sandwiches, baked potato soup, and sweet tea I've ever had. I'm serious y'all if you're hungry..you must go. The owners, Greg and Letty Smith, of whom I had the pleasure of meeting while I dined, make sure that every portion is HUGE, every piece of bread and every sweet is homemade, and every belly is left full. No exceptions. I asked some of the servers who worked there if they had any interesting stories about their time spent there and I did not leave disappointed. One girl said that the dining room upstairs, which is usually used for catering purposes, is haunted (OoOh Spooky). Another server said that often times they are still finding hidden treasures in the walls because it was an old pharmacy before being made into a cafe and bakery. The building is recognized by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and is beloved by locals of all ages. If you're in the area, you HAVE to check them out.
History Rating: 10/10 (It's old y'all) Hospitality Rating: 10/10 Full Belly Rating: 12/10 (wish I had room for dessert) Trestle Bakery and Cafe 308 Main St Conway, SC 29526 Phone Number: (843)-248-9896 Conway is one of the oldest towns in South Carolina. Originally early English colonists named the village as named "Kings Town" but soon changed it to "Kingston". The town was founded in 1732 as part of Royal Governor Robert Johnson Township Scheme. It was laid out on a bluff overlooking the black Waccamaw River in what is now known as Horry County. The town of 21,053 is situated in the South Carolina Coastal Plain, on the western banks of the Waccamaw River, and is approximately 13 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Since the completion of the Main Street USA project in the 1980s, Conway's downtown has been revitalized with shops and bistros. Highlighting the renovation of the downtown area is the Riverwalk, an area of fine dining which follows a stretch of the Waccamaw River that winds through Conway. There are plenty of treasures to be found in this picturesque southern town on your way to or from the beach. Just follow the signs, you cannot miss it!
|
AuthorMeet Bailynne Miller: a full time college student, identical twin, queso connoisseur, semi professional beach bum, and part time napper. ArchivesCategories |