Backroads and out of the way places... (Columbia, Aiken: houses, plantations)

[RetroPhoto]

Wanting to find some off the beaten path areas around South Carolina with cool things like old plantations, abandoned buildings, historic old towns with a vintage feel. Any tips on cool places that aren't touristy?

[Columbiadata]

Salley in the western part of Aiken County and Ridgeway in the southern part of Fairfield County come to mind. When you arrive in Salley you go immediately from country to town. The downtown is 90% boarded up, and there are some old houses and oak trees that give it a vintage feel. It is quite an isolated little town. Ridgeway's downtown is utilized with an abandoned building or two, and ditto for the old houses and trees.

[RetroPhoto]

Thanks for the tip - I'm in Columbia right now so I'm going out to Salley today to do some exploring, as it isn't too far away.

[creekgirl4life]

Hwy 9 runs through several inland counties w/small towns and old storefronts. It really is a beautiful ride when leaving Myrtle Beach from the north end. Marlboro County has several possible sites including Clio & Bennettsville ...some great old buidlings and homes. Cheraw has some grand old homes as well.