Anderson, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anderson
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Top, left to right: Downtown Anderson, First Baptist Church of Anderson, Old Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson University, Anderson County Courthouse, Lake Hartwell view from City of Anderson Recreation Park
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| Nickname(s):
The Electric City, Friendliest City in South Carolina
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| Motto(s):
"Teamwork | Integrity | Professionalism"
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Location in South Carolina
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 Anderson
Location in South Carolina
Anderson
Location in the United States
Anderson
Location in North America
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | South Carolina | ||
| County | Anderson | ||
| Founded | December 1826 | ||
| Incorporated | December 19, 1833 | ||
| Named for | Robert Anderson | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 15.87 sq mi (41.09 km2) | ||
| • Land | 15.83 sq mi (41.00 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) 0.25% | ||
| Elevation | 807 ft (246 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 28,106 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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29,980 | ||
| • Density | 1,775.60/sq mi (685.56/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 118,369 (US: 286th) | ||
| • Urban density | 1,233.8/sq mi (476.4/km2) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
29621–29626
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| Area codes | 864, 821 | ||
| FIPS code | 45-01360 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2403098 | ||
Anderson is a city in South Carolina, United States. It is the main city of Anderson County. In 2020, about 28,106 people lived there. This makes it one of the bigger cities in South Carolina.
Anderson is part of a larger area called the Upstate region. It's located near Interstate 85. The city is about 120 miles from Atlanta and 140 miles from Charlotte. Anderson is often called "The Electric City" and the "Friendliest City in South Carolina."
Contents
Discovering Anderson's Past
Early History of Anderson
The land where Anderson is now was first settled by the Cherokee people. During the American Revolution, the Cherokee sided with the British. After the war, their land became part of the United States.
In 1791, the South Carolina government created the Washington District. This large area included what are now Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. Later, this district was split. Anderson became part of the new Pendleton district.
The city of Anderson was settled in 1826. It was officially named Anderson Court House in 1828. The city was named after Robert Anderson. He was a soldier in the American Revolution and explored this area in the mid-1700s.
Anderson During the Civil War
In 1851, the Johnson Female Seminary opened in Anderson. It was the first college in the town. During the American Civil War, the college closed. Its main building was used by the Confederate government as a treasury.
In May 1865, soldiers from the Union forces came to Anderson. They were looking for the Confederate treasury. The Union soldiers took over the treasury office. The main building of Johnson University became a Union headquarters. There was a small fight called the Battle of Anderson. After the war, Union soldiers stayed in Anderson for a while.
The Electric City's Bright Idea
Anderson was one of the first cities in the Southeastern United States to have electricity. In 1895, William C. Whitner brought electricity to Anderson. He built a power plant on the Rocky River. This is how Anderson got its nickname, "The Electric City."
Anderson also became the first city in the world to power a cotton gin using electricity. A cotton gin is a machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds. In 1895, the city's name was changed from Anderson Court House to just Anderson.
In 1897, Whitner's power plant was made even better. A new station at Portman Shoals could generate 10,000 volts of electricity. This was special because it was the first hydroelectric plant in the U.S. to make such high voltage without needing extra equipment. However, the Portman Dam was washed away in 1901. This left Anderson without power until it was rebuilt in 1902.
Anderson University's Growth
In 1911, Anderson College was started. It took the place of the old Johnson University. Today, it is known as Anderson University. It offers many different degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and even Ph.D. degrees. As of 2022, it is the biggest private university in South Carolina.
Anderson's Location and Landscape
Anderson is located in the northwest part of South Carolina. It sits on a flat, high area called the Piedmont plateau. From Anderson, you can drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains in about an hour. The South Carolina coast is about a four-hour drive away.
The city is roughly in the middle of the I-85 highway corridor. This highway connects Atlanta and Charlotte. Anderson covers about 15.87 square miles of land and water.
Anderson's People and Community
Anderson is home to a diverse community. In 2020, the city had 28,106 people living there. The community includes people from many different backgrounds.
Exploring Anderson's Cityscape
Anderson has several historic areas. These districts show off the city's past with old buildings and unique architecture.
Historic Places to See
- Anderson College Historic District
- Anderson Downtown Historic District
- Anderson Historic District
- McDuffie Street Historic District
- South Boulevard Historic District
- Westside Historic District
- Whitner Street Historic District
Other Notable Historic Spots
- Caldwell-Johnson-Morris Cottage
- Denver Downs Farmstead
- Kennedy Street School
- North Anderson Historic District
- Dr. Samuel Marshall Orr House
- Ralph John Ramer House
Parks and Recreation in Anderson
Anderson has great places for sports and outdoor fun.
- Anderson Memorial Stadium: This is a ballfield and stadium on 12 acres of land. It was updated in 2007 and is home to the Anderson University Trojans sports teams.
- Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center: This huge 300-acre park is Anderson's largest recreation area. It has:
- The Anderson Civic Center, a large indoor facility.
- One of South Carolina's biggest amphitheaters, which can hold 15,000 people.
- A fun, castle-like play structure for kids.
- A 64-acre sports center with fields for baseball, softball, and soccer.
- A disc golf course and eight tennis courts.
- A lake with picnic areas and miles of nature trails.
- Rocky River Nature Conservancy: This nature reserve helps protect wetlands. It has many trails and a boardwalk over the wetlands. Anderson University started this conservancy.
Anderson's Economy and Jobs
Anderson's economy is mostly about manufacturing. This means making products in factories. The city has over 230 manufacturing companies. Twenty-two of these are international companies.
Some of the main industries in Anderson include:
- Making parts for cars.
- Producing metal products.
- Creating industrial machines.
- Working with plastics.
- Publishing books and other materials.
- Making textiles (fabrics).
The automotive and plastics industries are very important here. Many companies that supply parts to car makers like BMW are in the Upstate region. Anderson County has 11 automotive suppliers and 27 plastics companies.
Healthcare in Anderson
AnMed Health is a major healthcare provider in Anderson. It is also one of the biggest employers in the county.
- AnMed Health Medical Center is the main hospital. It offers many services, including a heart and vascular center.
- The AnMed Health Campus has a women's and children's hospital, a cancer center, and other specialized care.
- The AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital helps people recover from injuries or illnesses.
AnMed also runs smaller clinics and doctor's offices throughout the city.
Learning and Education in Anderson
The city of Anderson is served by the Anderson County School System, specifically Anderson School District Five. This district has many schools for students of all ages.
Elementary Schools
- Calhoun Academy of the Arts
- Centerville Elementary
- Concord Elementary
- Homeland Park Primary School
- McLees Academy of Leadership
- Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering
- Nevitt Forest Community School of Innovation
- New Prospect STEM Academy
- North Pointe Elementary School
- Varennes Academy of Communications and Technology
- Whitehall Elementary, A Global Communication School
Middle Schools
- McCants Middle School
- Southwood Academy of the Arts
- Robert Anderson Middle School
- Glenview Middle School
High Schools
- Westside High School
- T. L. Hanna High School
- Anderson Five Career Campus
Private Schools
Anderson also has several private schools:
- Anderson Christian School (PK-12)
- First Presbyterian Church Day School (PK)
- Grace Kindergarten
- Montessori School of Anderson (PK-12)
- New Covenant School (PK-12)
- Learn Upstate Hybrid Academy (PK-12)
- Oakwood Christian School (K-12)
- St. Joseph Catholic School (PK-8)
- Temple Christian Academy (K-12)
- West Anderson Christian Academy (PK/K)
Colleges and Universities
- Anderson University
- Tri-County Technical College
Public Library
Anderson has a public library that is part of the Anderson County Library System. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.
Getting Around Anderson
Air Travel
Anderson has its own airport called Anderson Regional Airport. It is about 3 miles from the city. The airport has two runways and can handle regional jet aircraft.
For commercial flights, the closest airport is Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. It is about 42 miles away.
Roads and Highways
I-85 is the main highway that goes through Anderson. There are five exits for the city on I-85. Other important highways include US 29, US 76, and US 178.
In 2013, a new road called the East-West Parkway opened. It is about 3 miles long and helps connect different parts of the city.
Public Transportation
Anderson has a bus system with six routes that cover most of the city. Buses run every hour. The city uses both modern hybrid buses and older-style trolleys that look like Anderson's old streetcars. You can also travel to other cities by bus using Greyhound Lines.
There are plans for a high-speed train route that might include a stop in Anderson. This would bring passenger train service back to the city.
Famous People from Anderson
Many talented people have come from Anderson, South Carolina. Here are a few:
- Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020): A famous actor known for playing Black Panther in movies.
- Lou Brissie: A professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians.
- Shaun Ellis: A professional football player.
- Bailey Hanks: The winner of MTV's Legally Blonde the Musical: The Next Elle Woods show.
- James "Radio" Kennedy: A local legend whose life with T.L. Hanna High School inspired the movie Radio.
- Larry Nance: A retired NBA basketball player who played for the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers.
- James Lawrence Orr: A former governor of South Carolina.
- Lu Parker: A former Miss USA and television journalist.
- Zacch Pickens: A current defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears.
- Jim Rice: A professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Terence Roberts: The first Black American mayor of Anderson.
- Jessica Stroup: An actress known for TV shows like 90210.
- James Michael Tyler: An actor famous for playing Gunther on the TV show Friends.
Sister Cities of Anderson
Anderson has special connections with two cities in the United Kingdom:
Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Scotland, United Kingdom
See Also
In Spanish: Anderson (Carolina del Sur) para niños
