Good morning, Cola. Did you know that today is South Carolina Day? What an exciting way to kick off the week + end the month of August. Side note: We seriously cannot believe that September starts tomorrow. 🤯
Never heard of South Carolina Day? Don’t worry. It’s only been around for a couple of years. In 2017, the folks over at National Calendar Day decided to celebrate all 50 states with their own state day.
These state holidays are meant to celebrate and recognize the best that each state has to offer, from important cultural and historical facts to recognizing our state’s beauty + sharing quirky facts.
Here are some fast facts about our amazing state:
South Carolina State House | @jon.snow.knows
💧 | The Dreher Shoals Dam (AKA the Lake Murray Dam), was once the largest earthen dam in the entire world. In 2015, during the great flood, there were 36 dam failures across SC. The Dreher Shoals Dam held, possibly saving thousands of lives.
🌳 | The tallest trees east of the Mississippi can be found at Congaree National Park. Congaree has 25 champion trees (trees that are the largest of their species), making it the largest concentration of champion trees in all of North America.
🍑 | Did you know that SC produces more peaches than Georgia (AKA The Peach State)? We even have a landmark water tower honoring peach farmers just a couple of hours away in Gaffney.
🧶 | In 1894, the first textile mill in the world to run completely by electricity opened in Columbia. The SC State Museum now calls that red brick building home. If you look closely, you can still see little bits of the mill’s spinning machinery that was embedded in the original floors.
🛣 | Washington Street was paved with wooden blocks in the early 1900s, but every time it rained, the wooden blocks would float away. The blocks were eventually replaced with asphalt paving in the 1920s.
Here are a few ways to celebrate South Carolina Day:
Sesquicentennial State Park | @jaridmunsch
Sesquicentennial State Park | Sesqui has so many options from pedal boats + kayaks to hiking trails + splash pads. You can also enjoy a meal at one of the picnic shelters with family.
Riverbanks Zoo | #DYK that the Riverbanks Zoo just welcomed rhinos to their new habitat. Reserve your time to go say hello to eight-year-old Kande + two-year-old Winnifred.
SC State House | This historic + photogenic gem in the heart of Soda City is definitely a site to see. You’d be surprised to know how many native South Carolinians know of or drive past the building frequently, but have never actually been on the property. Head over to those incredible steps for a real-life Rocky moment.
SC State Museum | There is always something exciting happening at the SC State Museum, like the The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. Plus, Friday Night Laser Lights are back.
Southern Food | BBQ + Southern foods are an SC staple + we’ve got some of the best options in the South. Grab a meal from Hometeam BBQ, Shealy’s, True BBQ, or any number of local eateries.
