Aiken, South Carolina

Few cities have enjoyed as colorful and vibrant a history as Aiken. The city was built in 1835 along one of the first regular passenger railroad lines. Beginning in the 1870s, wealthy Northerners, attracted by the balmy winter weather and the equestrian-friendly landscape, established Aiken as a popular winter retreat. Prominent families, especially from New York, like the Vanderbilts and the Whitneys, built huge rambling “cottages” and Aiken became famous around the world for its “Winter Colony” social life of horses, polo, tennis, and the new sport of golf. Learn more about Aiken, SC >