From awe-inspiring Revolutionary War sites to the latest in retail development, there are plenty of reasons to adhere to the tourism slogan and “Get into Gaffney." Stores such as Pottery Barn Furniture Outlet, Banana Republic and Bose Factory Store are drawing people off the Golden Corridor of I-85 to Prime Outlets, and visitors will not want to stop before seeing more of the historic and progressive town that lies halfway between Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC.

Gaffney’s history of proactive leadership has allowed the city to improve both services and aesthetics while maintaining a healthy fund balance and avoiding tax increases. They are proud to have a Police Department with a response time of just over three minutes, a Fire Department with a Class Four Insurance Rating and a Board of Public Works that transfers assets to the city each year as a return on investment for citizens. The area also boasts a quality health care facility in the Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

Gaffney has traditionally been recognized for two things: An iconic 1,000,000-gallon water tank known as the Peachoid; and two nearby Revolutionary War landmarks, Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park. There are plenty of new attractions, but Gaffney’s history is not to be denied. This Bicentennial city (as of 2004), boasts three nationally certified historic districts. Each contains beautiful architecture, picturesque scenery and reminders of the significant role the Upstate city played in our nation’s history.

Did You Know?

Historical Facts about the Gaffney area...

Gaffney was founded by Michael Gaffney of Granard, Ireland. A successful merchant, Gaffney was commissioned by S.C. Gov. Charles Pinckney to form a militia during the War of 1812.

One of Michael Gaffney’s descendants, Dean Ross – while attending Clemson University - discovered the Tiger Rag in an Atlanta music store, rearranged it, and established it as the school’s longstanding fight song.

A stone from the nearby Limestone Quarry, bearing the coat of arms of the state of South Carolina, is incorporated as the official South Carolina stone in the Washington Monument.

In 1845, Limestone College became the first women’s college in South Carolina and one of the few in the nation. Today it is a co-educational facility, but in those days, Baptist minister Dr. Thomas Curtis set out to prove that the female brain was just as capable as the male’s. Curtis had made his fortune publishing “The London Encyclopedia” but came to America because he opposed a British law that would not allow him to teach “difficult subjects” to women.

Gaffney area attractions also include a thriving Arts Council, and Little Theatre. History buffs will enjoy the Cherokee County History Museum and Fine Arts Center, Cherokee County Public Library Genealogy Room, Cherokee County Veterans Museum, Cowpens National Battlefield, and Kings Mountain National Military Park.

And don't miss the nearby Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, Over Mountain Victory Trail, and the Scenic Broad River.

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