Hampton Heights

Hampton Heights, two blocks south of downtown Spartanburg, is currently made up of roughly 350 homes and is a thriving diversely populated neighborhood. Developed in the late 19^th Century, the historic district represents Spartanburg's first residential neighborhood.

What is now Hampton Heights was the 19^th C. cotton farm of the Kirby family. The homestead known as "Kirby Hill", sat where the present day main post office sits. During Reconstruction (late 1860's) the Union Army's encampment was located on this hill. In 1882 the parcel between S. Spring and Church Streets was donated to the Methodist Church for a mission. This mission was the predecessor for present day Bethel Methodist Church.

In the late 1880's W.P. Irwin secured a parcel of land on what is now West Hampton Avenue. Here he built a house and established "Willow Oaks Dairy" farm.

The community that began to grow, present day Hampton Heights, became the neighborhood of choice for the merchants, businesspeople, and their families because of the close proximity to downtown Spartanburg.

Apart from the historical character of the homes, the neighborhood's greatest asset is its proximity and connectivity to Spartanburg's reviltalized downtown. Residents do not have to get into their cars but instead have the option of walking or biking, an appealing characteristic especially among younger generations. The bicycle lanes recently installed on South Spring Street and West Hampton Avenue enhance this experience. In addition, the option to walk, bicycle, and greet you neighbors along the way plays on the idea of a classic American neighborhood where people know and care about one another. This feeling has been lost among many communities.

Spartanburg is South Carolina's first bicycle-friendly community. Hampton Heights plays a key role in this honor because of its bicycle lane connections. Most citizens do not feel comfortable riding their bicycle on a road without a designated path. The bicycle lanes solve this problem, especially in the midst of growing gas prices when people are looking for safe alternantive transportation. In addition, there is a strong environmental awareness that is becoming more mainstream and having alternative transportation options appeals to those that are concerned.

Another beneficial aspect of the bike lanes is that they provide connectivity and a safe route to one of the community's greatest recreational destinations: the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. The bicycles lanes also allow for family recreation and for children to bicycle safely to the local schools: more classic American ideals.

Learn more about the neighborhood through our self-guided walking tour. Walking tour brochures for adults and children are available at the Trust office, 226 South Spring Street.

Children's walking tours will be offered in the fall. Call today to sign up your children, students, or youth organization for a weekday afternoon or Saturday tour this fall!