Limestone Springs Historic District, historic district in South Carolina, United States
The Limestone Springs Historic District is a small area in Gaffney, South Carolina, consisting of nine main buildings constructed between the late 1830s and 1941. The layout centers on a central lawn with a fountain, with structures using limestone as the primary building material and arranged to preserve the original campus layout.
The area was established as the site of a school that opened in 1845 with 67 students and became the first female education institution in South Carolina. The campus grew over nearly 180 years, began accepting male students in the early 1900s, and became a university in 2020 before closing in 2025.
The name "Limestone Springs" comes from the natural springs and limestone quarrying that shaped the community. The buildings display a mix of Gothic Revival and Neo-Classical styles that reflect European traditions and emphasize the intellectual mission of the institution that once occupied this space.
Most buildings in this area are privately owned today and not open for regular public tours. Visitors should respect the owners' privacy and view the structures mainly from outside while walking the public grounds.
Starting in 1984, students and locals held an annual Lighting of the Luminaries tradition at Christmas, placing candles in paper bags along streets and grounds. This created a glowing chain of lights that transformed the campus into an evening spectacle.
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