Sadness in Holly Hill

Holly Hill, SC   

Sadness in Holly Hill. These fires in big old buildings in small towns are so tragic. The building was
100 years old and had served as a boarding house in the 1920s according to the WISTV report. Even worse, it sounds like it may have been deliberately caused. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - God Ain't Mad At Ya!

God Ain't Mad At Ya!, 

I had to get a picture of this sign. It is across from the popular Sweatman's BBQ restaurant in Holly Hill, S.C. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Holly Hill

Holly Hill, SC   

Remember this sweet chapel in Holly Hill, SC? It is for sale for $199,900. Buy it. Invite me over.

See real estate ad here: St. Ann's Catholic Church

Eddie Sweat

Eddie Sweat tomb, Holly Hill, S.C.

I've been letting the Orangeburg Times and Democrat 100 Objects in 100 Days series lead me on some quirky road trip destinations. I recently roamed around a rural cemetery in Holly Hill, trying to find the tomb of Eddie Sweat. According to their photo the tomb was marked by a plastic horse noting that Eddie Sweat was groom for thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat and that is how I finally spotted it.

Here is a web site with great period photos and video.

Eddie Sweat got his first glimpses of thoroughbred racehorses in his hometown of Holly Hill, S.C., where he was born in 1938. There were horse farms nearby and Sweat grew up mesmerized by the grace and beauty of the swift horses he saw bounding across pastures and honing their speed over training tracks. As a teenager he picked up work where he could, and finally landed a good job digging post holes and mending fences at Laurin’s thoroughbred training farm in Holly Hill. Laurin noticed the hard-working teenager, and soon offered Sweat a chance to come inside the fences of the racing game to work with the horses. The trainer noticed the lad had a natural feel for the high-strung and sensitive animals – the “touch” top trainers are always seeking.
When Laurin’s stable headed north to New York, Sweat went with it, and within a few years Sweat was “rubbing” some of the top horses in America, including the champion filly Quill, and Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid. When Laurin took on the Meadow Stable string in 1971, Sweat was assigned to the most talented colts, including 1972 Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge, and then the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Later, when Laurin retired, Sweat went to work with Laurin’s son, Roger Laurin, also a top conditioner on the New York circuit. There Sweat rubbed more fine horses, including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile sensation Chief’s Crown.

100 Objects, 100 Days in Orangeburg County

Muffler Man, Holly Hill, S.C.

The Orangeburg Times And Democrat is featuring a series called, "Orangeburg County: 100 objects, 100 days," featuring the stories of 100 objects in Orangeburg County. I am familiar with many of them but have never seen Valentine's Cotton Gin & Country Store and I certainly haven't seen the old Coffee Pot diner since it was refurbished.

I don't believe they have finished their 100 items yet so I am here to nominate old Muffler Man in Holly Hill who always has a friendly wave as I pass by and the never open when I am there, Tea Pot museum in Elloree.

What else needs to be included? I know I have friends haunting the back roads of Orangeburg County. Thanks to reporter Martha Rose Brown for leading me to the interesting series.

The Tin Man salute

Holly Hill, S.C.

Once a year the Tin Man in Holly Hill, S.C. is framed by wisteria. Howdy there pardner! I took this particular shot a couple of years ago but he is still there at the side of the road and I saluted back last weekend.

I had a blackened portobello mushroom burger for dinner at the Green Goat with my son. It might be my Green Goat dish. I always find a favorite and stick with it. I go to interesting places but I am boring about what I do there.

Holly Hill Train Depot

Holly Hill Depot, Holly Hill, S.C.

Every time I see one of these old depots I have a pang of sadness that there isn't an active train pulling up to it. I am pleased to see that at least the building was restored and is in use.

1921 railroad depot with visitors center: Holly Hill Depot, circa 1921, was built on the sites of two previous depots dating back to 1886 when the Eutaw Railroad reached Holly Hill. The railroad defined the location for the town’s business section and it was responsible for the town’s growth and founding in 1887. The depot is now a visitors and a satellite office of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce.

I had every intention of going in to town for the Martin Luther King parade this morning but my quickie oil change turned into a lengthy and much more expensive visit than I had intended. Drat. Double drat.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Faith, Hope & Charity

Holly Hill, S.C.

I spent the day in the country with good friends and good food. Ribs....yum. It's a lovely drive at this time of year. The fields are green, the corn looks healthy and every time I turn the corner and see this pretty little church I am reminded of how grateful I should be. I've posted it before but this afternoon I stopped to revisit. I even like the name of the church, Faith, Hope and Charity Church. How charming is that?

Thanks to my companions for making it such a lovely day! I made them all look so awful in prank photos I mustn't show them here to protect the innocent. Ha! Let's just say I ordered these Photo Paddles and made them all use them. Saints, I tell ya, my friends are saints!