The Historic Saluda Committee invites you to come and explore some of the oldest homes and places in Saluda from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. Tickets are currently on sale at several Saluda businesses and at Saluda City Hall. They will also be available on the day of the tour. All proceeds will go to the Save the Saluda Depot project.

The project, led by the Historic Saluda Committee, includes plans for a museum that will feature the history of the tracks of the Saluda Grade, the steepest single gauge railway in the United States. The museum will also showcase the rich and interesting history of Saluda.

This is a walking tour of about a half mile in the Columbia Heights section of Saluda, so named because many of the original residents lived in Columbia, S.C. in the winter and summered in Saluda. Golf carts with drivers will be available for any who would like assistance. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and be aware that there are stairs in most of the older homes.

The Saluda Historic Depot will be open to the public and all are invited to either start or end the tour from this location in the historic downtown district. Tickets will be on sale at the depot as well as at the start of the tour, the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration,  located two blocks off Main Street at 72 Charles St. Parking will be available there and docents will be on hand to give you a tour and the history of the church, which was first occupied in 1889.

A block up from the church, the first house on tour will be Fairview House on Charles St., which was built in 1896. It has been renovated, but still holds the country charm of Saluda.

Folks will then walk to the end of Charles St. and visit Sunflower Cottage, which was constructed around 1885. Around the corner on Chisholm St. is the third home, which is Sacsme Hall, built in 1895. Across the street from here, visitors will tour the Blue Summer House built in 1890.

Two more homes both beside and across from the Blue Summer House are Stoney Lodge and White Pines, both homes built in the 1890s. As an extra treat, take time to tour the gardens of Stoney Lodge, which was selected by the Smithsonian to be included in their “Archives of American Gardens.” From here folks will walk back to their cars and are invited to stop by the depot and have light refreshments.

The Historic Saluda Tour of Homes and Places is chaired this year by Sandie Bright, whose home, White Pines, is on the tour.

The Historic Saluda Committee was formed by a group of concerned citizens who wished to preserve the historical integrity of the town. The grassroots effort spawned interest from Saluda City officials and in June 2010 the Saluda City Commissioners voted to make the committee an advisory committee to the city and committee members were appointed. The HSC meets on the second Friday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Saluda Public Library. The public is welcome. For more information visit www.historicsaluda.org, email historicsaluda@gmail.com or call the City of Saluda at 828-749-2581.
– Submitted by Carolyn Ashburn