AikenOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Railroad Stop to Winter Colony

Aiken, South Carolina, was founded in 1835 as a planned town. It was designed by two railroad engineers and named after William Aiken, the first president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. This company completed a rail line connecting Charleston to Hamburg in the 1830s, an engineering achievement for its time.

Initially, Aiken attracted visitors from Charleston seeking relief from summer heat and malaria, establishing itself as a health resort. In the late 19th century, the town's character changed with the arrival of wealthy Northerners. Drawn by mild winters and conditions suitable for equestrian sports, these families established the "Winter Colony." Figures such as Thomas Hitchcock, William C. Whitney, and Harold Vanderbilt built large winter residences and stables. This transformed Aiken into a center for polo, fox hunting, and thoroughbred racing.

Equestrian Legacy and Post-War Growth

The equestrian tradition continued into the 20th century. The Aiken Steeplechase Association was founded in 1930, and its annual races continue to attract spectators. In 1941, Fred H. Post constructed the Aiken Training Track for conditioning flat racers. This facility became a training center, producing national champions like Elkridge in 1942.

After World War II, Aiken's population increased, partly due to the establishment of the Savannah River Site in the early 1950s. This atomic energy plant became a major employer in the region. Despite this industrial development, Aiken has maintained its equestrian identity. Many traditions from the Winter Colony era persist, including Sunday afternoon polo matches at Whitney Field, a practice since 1882.

• —Aiken Visitors Center & Train Museum — This center is in the 1899 Aiken Railroad Depot. It presents Aiken's railroad history with exhibits on the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. Visitors can see a 1940s caboose and learn about the town's origin as a railroad hub.
• —Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame — Located within Hopelands Gardens in a renovated 1902 carriage house, this museum documents the history of over 40 champion thoroughbreds that trained in Aiken. It displays photos, trophies, and memorabilia from their racing careers.
• —Laurens Street Historic District — This area contains historic homes and buildings, many from the Winter Colony era. These structures show the architectural styles favored by wealthy Northerners who spent winters in Aiken. It is a place to see preserved Gilded-Age mansions.
• —Historic Willcox Inn — This inn, built in 1898, served as a central meeting place for the Winter Colony. Its architecture and interiors show the lifestyle of Aiken's early 20th-century visitors.
• —Whitney Field — Established in 1882, this is one of the oldest polo fields in continuous use in the United States. Polo matches are held here during the spring and fall, continuing a tradition introduced by the Winter Colonists.
• —St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church — The cornerstone for Aiken's oldest church structure was laid in 1842. Originally a frame building, it was remodeled in 1926 in a Greek Revival style, with funding from its Winter Colony congregation.
• —Aiken Cemetery — This cemetery, established in 1852, contains gravesites of veterans from the Civil War to the present, as well as ministers, teachers, and formerly enslaved people.

The best times to visit Aiken are in spring, from March to May, and in fall, particularly October. Spring offers mild temperatures, typically 50s to 70s Fahrenheit, low humidity, and blooming plants, suitable for outdoor activities and equestrian events like the Triple Crown. Fall provides agreeable temperatures, usually in the mid-70s during the day with cool evenings, and fewer crowds. Festivals such as Aiken's Makin' and Oktoberfest also occur.

Avoid visiting in summer, from June to August. Temperatures often reach into the 90s Fahrenheit with high humidity, making extended outdoor activities uncomfortable. Winters are mild, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s, but January is the coldest month, with average lows around 36°F.

Aiken is accessible via several airports. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is the closest, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest, a 38-minute drive. For more flight options, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is approximately 147 miles (237 km) north, a 2-hour and 53-minute drive. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is 135 miles (217 km) south, about a 3-hour drive. Aiken also has a regional airport (AIK), about 7 miles northeast of downtown, for general aviation, without scheduled commercial service.

Downtown Aiken is walkable. For longer distances, Aiken County operates the "Best Friend Express" public transit system, with buses circulating throughout Aiken and North Augusta every two hours. Buses can be flagged down or boarded at designated stops. Taxis and private car services like Aiken Transportation are available for scheduled pickups and airport transfers. Parking in downtown Aiken is generally available, with street parking and public lots.