Gaffney, County seat in Cherokee County, South Carolina
Gaffney is a small town in Cherokee County in the northern part of South Carolina, located roughly halfway between Charlotte and Greenville. The center is crossed by Limestone Street, where shops, administrative buildings and several historic structures stand.
An Irish immigrant named Michael Robert Gaffney opened a tavern here in 1804 at the junction of two main routes. The settlement officially gained town status in 1872 and was designated the administrative seat of Cherokee County.
The oversized peach-shaped water tower from the late 20th century carries the nickname Peachoid and recalls a time when large quantities of this fruit were grown here. Today travelers spot the tower from the highway and use it as a landmark in the rural stretch of South Carolina.
The visitor center on West Frederick Street is open Monday through Thursday during office hours and offers information about the region along with a small gallery. On Friday afternoon the center closes earlier, so a morning visit works best.
A building from the early 19th century once served as a gathering point for militia units and now houses the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum. The rooms display objects from the regional past and rotating exhibitions by local artists.
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