The Incredible Hike In South Carolina That Leads To A Fascinating Abandoned Mansion
By AnneMarie|Published December 13, 2023
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AnneMarie
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South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
What’s your favorite type of hike? Whatever your answer, we enjoy an abundance of trails in South Carolina with many options from scenic hikes to challenging, strenuous hikes to surprise-ending hikes and more. For those who especially love the more adventurous types of hikes, there’s a trail in Rock Hill leading to the ruins of an abandoned mansion with a fascinating story. And just whose mansion it was may surprise you!
For this adventure, you'll be hiking the Riverwalk Greenway Trail in Rock Hill, and you'll veer off onto the Riverwalk Green and Blue Loop biking trail (also used for hiking), or you could just use this trail only which begins at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center mountain biking area. You'll find parking at the Piedmont Medical Center Trailhead.
If you're wondering about now if this name has any ties to the infamous Carhartt brand of workwear and outdoor apparel and gear, the answer to this is a resounding yes! These ruins are from the mansion that was the second home of the founder of the Carhartt company, Hamilton Carhartt.
Mr. Carhartt unfortunately died in an automobile accident in 1937, just a few years after this beautiful home was built. It was left vacant until new owners attempted to restore it.
But sadly, it was eventually deserted and abandoned again. And now, the remains along this Rock Hill hike are what you can see represented in these photos and when you visit in person.
Those with the ability to envision from what's left the possibilities of what it may have looked like would enjoy using their imaginations to do just that. It's interesting in light of the success of the Carhartt legacy to learn more of the story of its founder and his connection to South Carolina.
Based on the interview in the video below with descriptions of the home, it had a half-circle front porch with six columns, which may or may not be what's pictured in this image, and everything was overlaid with small brown river rocks. There was a path leading down to the waterfront.
