Introduction to Gaffney, South Carolina
Gaffney, South Carolina is 29 miles SW of Gastonia, North Carolina (center to center) and 46 miles W of Charlotte, North Carolina in Cherokee county. The city is located in Cherokee county and is part of the Greenville - Spartanburg - Anderson metro area.
Gaffney History
Michael Gaffney, an Irish immigrant, arrived in the early 1800s and opened a lodging house and tavern that were known as "Gaffney's Cross Roads." It was strategically located since two major roads - one connecting Charlotte to Georgia, and the other from North Carolina to Charleston - converged at this point. Gradually, a community was established and it was named "Gaffney City" in 1872. In 1897, it became the seat of Cherokee County. Over the years, Gaffney emerged as South Carolina's center for the textile industry. Until the 1980s, the city was the major contributor to the county's economy.
Gaffney and Nearby Attractions
- Cherokee County Veterans Museum
- Cowpens National Battlefield
- Regional Museum of Spartanburg County
- Croft State Natural Area
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Things To Do In Gaffney
Cherokee County Veterans Museum, which is located in the city of Gaffney, houses more than 500 artifacts and memorabilia depicting the American military history. The Regional Museum of Spartanburg County showcases exhibits of historical significance, and the Spartanburg County Museum of Art features collections of 20th century art. Cowpens National Battlefield is the site where colonials won a victory over the regular British forces in 1781. Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Walnut Grove Plantation are other historic sites near Gaffney. Croft State Natural Area, spread across 7,054 acres of land, offers facilities for boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking, and camping. Residents of the city also celebrate the annual Peach Festival each July.
Gaffney Transportation
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is the closest major airport.
Gaffney Higher Education
Gaffney is home to the Limestone College, and Spartanburg Community College- Cherokee County Campus. Cleveland Community College, and Gardner-Webb University are some of the colleges near the city.