Historic Winnsboro
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| Winnsboro, SC,
is a town built on its history. Winnsboro was the site of some of the
battles of the Revolutionary War. During this period, Winnsboro housed many
leaders of both armies including General Cornwallis. Winnsboro is also home
to the oldest running clock in the USA, which is just called the Town
Clock. This clock alone brings many tourists to the area as well a
festival each year called Rock Around the Clock. |
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The Cornwallis House in Winnsboro housed General Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War. The house is located on current day Zion Street and is one of 20+ stops along the tour of Historic Winnsboro. |
| The Town Clock was erected on 1822. Most of the parts for the workings on the town clock came from France. The town clock bell was French made also, and is said to have had silver in its composition. This bell did good service until 1895; during a fire that year two young men were ringing it so vigorously that it cracked and was sent to Philadelphia for repairs. When after some delay it was returned and sounded for the first time, doubt was expressed immediately as to its being the original bell. |
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Then, on the early morning of September 22, 1989, disaster struck. On this morning around midnight hurricane Hugo made it's way across the downtown area. It lay siege to every business in the area then it made it's way over to the town clock. The next day people came out to assess the damage and found not a destroyed clock but a running one. The clock has been running since. |
| Smile's Court House was built in 1823 designed by Robert Mills, architect. One of the oldest court houses in the upper part of the State, it was constructed with English ballast brick brought to Charleston. It was remodeled in 1939, retaining the Mills design. |  |
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