Gaffney, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gaffney, South Carolina
City
Gaffney Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Seal
Nickname(s):  "Peach Capital of South Carolina"
Gaffney, South Carolina Location in South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Cherokee
Area
• Total	8.71 sq mi (22.55 km2)
• Land	8.68 sq mi (22.49 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation	784 ft (239 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,764
• Density	1,470.00/sq mi (567.55/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	29340-29342
Area code(s)	864
FIPS code	45-28060
GNIS feature ID	1247855

Gaffney is a city in and the seat of Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States, in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Gaffney is known as the "Peach Capital of South Carolina". The population was 12,539 at the 2010 census, with an estimated population of 12,609 in 2019. It is the principal city of the Gaffney, South Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Cherokee County and which is further included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Combined Statistical Area.

History

Michael A. Gaffney, born in Granard, Ireland, in 1775, emigrated to America in 1797, arriving in New York City and moving to Charleston, South Carolina, a few years later. Gaffney moved again in 1804 to the South Carolina Upcountry and established a tavern and lodging house at what became known as "Gaffney's Cross Roads". The location was perfect for growth because of the two major roads which met here, one from the mountains of North Carolina to Charleston and the other from Charlotte into Georgia. Michael Gaffney died here on September 6, 1854.

In 1872, the area became known as "Gaffney City". Gaffney became the county seat of Cherokee County which was formed out of parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg counties in 1897. Gaffney became a major center for the textile industry in South Carolina, which was the backbone of the county's economy up until the 1980s.

Despite the small amount of population growth, businesses and companies continue to locate within the city limits, especially along the bustling Floyd Baker Boulevard and Highway 105 and many other areas within the city limits. However, most population growth recently has occurred outside of the city limits.

Uptown Gaffney began to languish after Interstate 85 was built in the county as industries located near the new highway. Recent renovations in downtown Gaffney have prompted more businesses to locate there, but there is still a great deal that is planned for the central part of the city. Many plans have been announced for the downtown area, including a 20-acre (81,000 m²) park that is currently being developed on the grounds of a recently demolished mill (Gaffney Manufacturing Co.). A plaza has been completed beside city hall and includes a refurbished fountain and extensive landscaping. Highlights to the upgrade of the city's park system include a skatepark, two passive parks, and several children's playgrounds.

In 2008, the Cherokee County History & Arts Museum opened on College Drive in the historic Central Elementary School building. The museum is operated by the Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society and is located on the mustering ground of the South Carolina militia (1812–1914). Located just blocks from downtown Gaffney and in one of the city's three nationally registered historic sites, the museum offers new cultural opportunities for locals and visitors, while having a positive economic impact for the downtown area. Annual events include a pottery show, car show, and ghost walk.

The city has recently hired an architectural firm to renovate the old Gaffney Post Office, located at the intersection of Frederick and Granard streets, into a visitor's center and art gallery.

There are also plans for a large cultural center to be placed in the downtown area. In 2009 Darren Mason was elected president of the Gaffney Downtown Business Association and has worked closely with city officials in revitalizing the Historic Downtown area which consists of about six blocks. New matching fund programs have been key to restoring old buildings by painting and using attractive awnings to spruce up the old look of main street.

Gaffney Station Farmers' Market has been established in a city parking lot directly across from the old post office downtown. The farmers' market operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June through October. There are plans to create a more permanent site for the farmer's market at that location. The city of Gaffney plans to build a partial replica of the old train depot that was once located there. The replica will house a portion of the farmer's market and also act as a landmark that calls back to the days of the old depot.

The city recently concluded Spring Session '08 of a popular concert series entitled "Shindig at the Gaffney Cabin". Bands perform on a weekly basis: Fridays during the Spring Session (May) and Thursdays during the Fall Session (late August through September). Concerts are held on Thursdays during Fall Sessions so as not to conflict with Gaffney Indian football games on Friday nights. The city will hold more of those concerts in 2009, this time from April to June 2009, and again from August to October of the same year.

The Archeological Site 38CK1, Archeological Site 38CK44, Archeological Site 38CK45, Carnegie Free Library, Coopersville Ironworks Site (38CK2) and Susan Furnace Site (38CK67), Cowpens Furnace Site (38CK73), Winnie Davis Hall, Ellen Furnace Site (38CK68), Gaffney Commercial Historic District, Gaffney Residential Historic District, Irene Mill Finishing Plant, Jefferies House, Limestone Springs Historic District, Magness-Humphries House, Nesbitt's Limestone Quarry (38CK69), and Settlemyer House are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Gaffney is located in northern South Carolina at 35°4′18″N 81°39′00″W / 35.07167°N 81.65000°W / 35.07167; -81.65000 (35.071667, -81.650000), near the center of Cherokee County. It is located 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina and 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Greenville, South Carolina, both reached via Interstate 85. It is served by the Charlotte and Greenville major airports. These airports are almost equidistant from Gaffney, with Greenville being slightly closer. It is also approximately 190 miles (310 km) northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The closest large city is Spartanburg, South Carolina, which is 21 miles (34 km) southwest on I-85.

Interstate 85 passes along the northern edge of Gaffney, with access from Exits 90, 92, and 95. U.S. Route 29 passes through the center of Gaffney, leading northeast 9 miles (14 km) to Blacksburg and southwest 10 miles (16 km) to Cowpens. South Carolina Highway 18 leads north 17 miles (27 km) to Shelby, North Carolina, becoming North Carolina Highway 18 along the way, and south 19 miles (31 km) to Jonesville. South Carolina Highway 11 leads northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Chesnee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Gaffney has a total area of 8.35 square miles (21.63 km²), of which 8.32 square miles (21.56 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.07 km²), or 0.31%, is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,764 people, 4,220 households, and 2,116 families residing in the city.

Arts and culture

Gaffney has a public library, a branch of the Cherokee County Library System.

Located in the historic district of downtown Gaffney, is Harold's Restaurant, a diner founded in 1932 by Harold Tindall. The diner was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and visited by host Guy Fieri in 2007.

In 2008, the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum opened on the former mustering ground of the South Carolina militia (1812–1914), and is one of the city's three nationally registered historic sites.

Other historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places include Archeological Site 38CK1, Archeological Site 38CK44, Archeological Site 38CK45, Carnegie Free Library, Coopersville Ironworks Site (38CK2) and Susan Furnace Site (38CK67), Cowpens Furnace Site (38CK73), Winnie Davis Hall, Ellen Furnace Site (38CK68), Gaffney Commercial Historic District, Gaffney Residential Historic District, Irene Mill Finishing Plant, Jefferies House, Limestone Springs Historic District, Magness-Humphries House, Nesbitt's Limestone Quarry (38CK69), and Settlemyer House.

Parks and recreation

The city's park system include a skatepark, two passive parks, and several children's playgrounds.

Education

Limestone University

Gaffney is served by the Cherokee County School District, which is one unified school district. Public schools in Gaffney include:

• Gaffney High School
• Ewing Middle School
• Gaffney Middle School
• B D Lee Elementary School
• Limestone Central Elementary School
• Luther Vaughan Elementary School
• Mary Bramlett Elementary School

Private schools in Gaffney include:

• Village School of Gaffney
• Gaffney Christian Academy

Colleges & universities:

• Limestone University
• Spartanburg Community College - Cherokee County Campus, including a training building and Freightliner facility

Media

• The Gaffney Ledger, the county's oldest local newspaper, published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• The Cherokee Chronicle, local newspaper published on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal, area newspaper
• WZZQ 104.3 FM and 1500 AM, local news, country music, local high school and college sports
• WFGN 1180 AM, gospel music
• WYFG 91.1 FM, Christian
• The Just Jesus Radio Network (online local religious programming)

Infrastructure

Peachoid water tower

Transportation

Gaffney is located on the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Charlotte. U.S. Route 29 passes through the center of Gaffney.

Public transit is available through the Gaffney Cab Company.

The region is served by two airports, Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Water tower

The Peachoid water tower is a water tower shaped like a peach, and serves both artistic and practical functions.

Healthcare

• Cherokee Medical Center is a 125-bed acute care facility in Gaffney. The hospital provides emergency, medical, surgical and imaging.
• Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute at Gaffney opened in 2011 and provides cancer care.
• Immediate Care Center provides urgent and primary care.

Notable people

• Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA SLS/Orion Launch Director at Kennedy Space Center
• Charlie Blanton, NASCAR driver
• W. J. Cash, author
• Neil Chambers, author, designer
• Kertus Davis, NASCAR driver
• Elizabeth Eslami, author
• Robert E. Hall, eleventh Sergeant Major of the Army
• Andie MacDowell, actress
• Michael McCluney, member of the band Day26
• Rocky McIntosh, professional football player with the Washington Redskins
• Sara McMann, mixed martial artist
• Mikki Moore, professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors
• Gaylord Perry, Hall of Fame pitcher and two time winner of the Cy Young Award
• Arizona Reid, Israeli National League basketball player
• Sidney Rice, professional football player
• Dominique Stevenson, former football player for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Buffalo Bills

In popular culture

Politician Frank Underwood, the protagonist of the Netflix original series House of Cards(Fictonal), is a native of the city and its federal representative in the United States House of Representatives (specifically, South Carolina's 5th congressional district) and later President of the United States.

See also

In Spanish: Gaffney para niños