Laurens is the county seat of Laurens County in the Old 96 District.

Understand

Laurens is named after the somewhat misguided early American luminary Henry Laurens who rather indulged in owning slaves for his personal wealth. Laurens was close to the Patriot-won Battle of Musgrove Mill during the Revolutionary War, and then proceeded to become a place of pro-secessionist sentiment in advent of the Civil War from all of the cotton plantation inhabitants later on. It has been the home of a number of other well-known people like Andrew Johnson, for instance, who briefly worked as a tailor there. Moreover, it has nearly a treasure trove of historic homes and churches.

Get in

Laurens is just off of I-385 south of Greenville.

See

• 1 Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Rd, Clinton, ☏ +1 864 938-0100. Daily 9AM-6PM for park, 10AM-4PM for visitor center. This is a highlight of a trip to the area, as it was an important Revolutionary War battle in 1780 where 200 or so Patriots managed to defend their line against 500 or so Loyalists and their allies, a needed victory after the 13 colonies had just gotten skunked at the Battle of Camden a few days earlier. Hiking trails, visitor center, reenactments, Horseshoe Falls. $3 adult; $1.50 or so for senior/child. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Laurens County Museum, 205 W Laurens St, ☏ +1 864 681-3678. Th, Su 2PM-5PM. Here you can come to get grounded on the local scene if you are a history buff, both here and at the Witherspoon Building, at 116 E Main St. (updated Oct 2021)

Historic Buildings

Laurens has a number of historical buildings. This website provides a comprehensive list. Here are just a few examples:

• 3 James Dunklin House, 544 W Main St, ☏ +1 864 683-2432. 1812 farmhouse. (updated Oct 2021)
• 4 William Dunlap Simpson House, 726 W Main St, ☏ +1 864 833-2716. Greek Revival specimen from (updated Oct 2021)
• 5 John Calvin Owings House, 787 W Main St. Queen Anne-style from 1896 with grandiose turrets, etc. (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Octagon House, 619 East Main Street. Built in 1859, supposedly only one of two in South Carolina. (updated Oct 2021)
• Cotton Mill Ruins on Mill St.

Sleep

• 1 Magnolia Inn Laurens, 621 N Harper St, ☏ +1 864 984-0558. Nothing too fancy but will probably get the job done. Outdoor pool. $60. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Comfort Suites, 12865 Hwy 56 North, Clinton, ☏ +1 864 833-1800. Probably a little nicer, with an indoor pool and breakfast. $88. (updated Oct 2021)