Hitchcock Woods
Hitchcock Woods in Aiken, South Carolina, is among the largest urban forests in the nation, with about 2,100 acres of forestland resources.
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Lightning on a Blue Sky by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
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A WALK IN THE WOODS with Kristal & Krystal | Hitchcock Woods - Aiken, SC
This video is about chalk cliffs
Aiken's Hitchcock Woods
Will Cole’s book The Many Faces of Aiken tells a legend about the woods in Aiken. An Indian chief was told in a dream to take his seriously ill daughter, of whom he was most fond, to the land of the rising sun where she would regain her health. He transported the princess on a litter until he came to the land of whispering pines through which ran a river of sand. Sand River, in Aiken, has been regarded as a place of health and healing since then.
Whether or not the legend is true, Sand River does run through the heart of what became known as Hitchcock Woods. Over a period of years beginning in about 1892, Thomas Hitchcock and William Whitney bought approximately 8,000 acres of land. A portion of that land eventually was placed in a permanent trust for the people of Aiken to enjoy as the undisturbed “land of the whispering pines.”
One of the entrances into Hitchcock Woods is through the Memorial Gate, located on the west side when entering from the junction of Laurens Street and South Boundary, and just a little north of Sand River. In 1929, this brick gate was erected as a memorial to Francis Hitchcock by several of his friends. Just past the Memorial Gate are acres of gently rolling hills, sandy cliffs and many varieties of trees.
BLESSING OF THE HOUNDS
memorial gateEvery Thanksgiving weekend for almost a century, a celebration takes place that brings together local people, some descendants of the winter colonists and many holiday visitors to Aiken. “The Blessing of the Hounds” is a ceremony that has its roots in a centuries-old tradition.
Hubert, the first bishop of Liege, is reputed to be the originator of the Blessing sometime between 656 and 727 A. D., near Brussels, Belgium. On Good Friday morning, as the story goes, Hubert went hunting and suddenly came upon a huge and impressive stag in the forest. When Hubert finally cornered the stag, it turned and he saw a vision of a shining cross caught between its antlers. He immediately converted to Christianity and set out for a life dedicated to God. Hubert became the patron saint of hunters (along with mathematicians, archers and metalworkers).
Since that time, hunters have celebrated the Feast of St. Hubert each November, first with The Blessing of the Hounds and then with a hunt, followed by a large breakfast. Over the next twelve centuries, the hunt passed on to England where the nobles (royalty) hunted the stags and the gentry (aristocrats) hunted the fox. Fox hunting was supported by the Anglican clergy as “an antidote for the aggressive sins of the flesh.”
Foxhounds are large hunting hounds that follow their prey in packs and have an acute sense of smell. Their natural instinct is to find foxes—hence their name. During the last century, the Hitchcock family founded a group called the Aiken Hounds. The “hunt” initiated by The Blessing of the Hounds does not actually involve a live fox.
SCENT OF A FOX
Although red foxes do still live in Hitchcock Woods, the scent of a fox is “dragged” through a trail in the woods for the hounds to follow. What ensues is a lively chase over some of the best terrain in the world for a drag hunt. The mixture of sand and clay in Hitchcock Woods adds an element of sure-footedness to this somewhat dangerous sport.
The drag hunt season continues every Tuesday and Saturday in Hitchcock Woods throughout the winter. The Aiken riders still dress in the same hunter green jacket that Mrs. Lulie Hitchcock designed almost a century ago, and follow their pack of foxhounds on the scent.
Hitchcock Woods, Aiken, South Carolina on our Tennessee Walking Horses
Beautiful, historic Hitchcock Woods in Aiken, Georgia on a beautiful autumn day on our Tennessee Walking Horses. More at cloud9walkers.com
Hitchcock Woods Morning Hike
A short video of a morning hike in beautiful Hitchcock Woods in Aiken, SC. Drone videography.
Clarion Inn & Suites Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Clarion Inn & Suites Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Property Location With a stay at Clarion Inn & Suites in Aiken, you'll be convenient to Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum and Hopeland Gardens. This hotel is within close proximity of Aiken County Historical Museum and Hitchcock Woods.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 99 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including a spa tub, a fitness center, and a seasonal outdoor pool.Dining A complimentary breakfast is included.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free self parking is available onsite.
Check-in from 16:00 , check-out prior to 12:00
Parking, 24 hours Front Desk Service, Restaurant/cafe, Swimming Pool, Business centre, Gym, Spa, Pets allowed, Laundry service.
TV, Coffee/Tea, Hairdryer, Smoking room.
Hotel adress: 155 Colony Parkway, Aiken, United States
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Hitchcock Woods trailride
Hotel Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Hotel Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Property Location With a stay at Hotel Aiken, you'll be centrally located in Aiken, steps from Aiken Center for the Arts and minutes from St. Mary Help of Christians Church. This hotel is within close proximity of Hitchcock Woods and Aiken Golf Club.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 68 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include complimentary weekday newspapers and coffee/tea makers, as well as phones with free local calls.Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a nightclub, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services.Dining Relax with a refreshing drink at one of the 3 bars/lounges.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a computer station, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Aiken? This hotel has facilities measuring 800 square feet (74 square meters), including a meeting room.
Check-in from 15:00 , check-out prior to 11:00
Shower, TV, Air conditioning, Hairdryer.
Parking, 24 hours Front Desk Service, Restaurant/cafe, Bar, Business centre, Pets allowed, Laundry service, Concierge service.
Hotel adress: 235 Richland Ave. W., Aiken, United States
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Amy and Kaz school at Hitchcock Woods 4/4/14
Days Inn Downtown Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Days Inn Downtown Aiken Video : Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Property Location With a stay at Days Inn Downtown Aiken in Aiken, you'll be convenient to Aiken Golf Club and Hitchcock Woods. This motel is within close proximity of Aiken Center for the Arts and Aiken County Historical Museum.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and you can also request rollaway/extra beds.Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Enjoy the recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool or make use of other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access.Dining A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily.Business, Other Amenities Free self parking is available onsite.
Check-in from 14:00 , check-out prior to 11:00
Parking, 24 hours Front Desk Service, Swimming Pool, Business centre, Gym, Laundry service.
TV, Air conditioning.
Hotel adress: 1204 Richland Avenue West, Aiken, United States
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Aiken Historic District
125 Greenville St, Aiken, SC 29801
Mary Mayer & Lyvia May
AIKEN HISTORIC DISTRICT. 6 BEDROOM, 3 BATHROOM PROPERTY WITH ADJACENT LOT THAT COULD BE SOLD OR BUILT ON. HARDWOOD FLOORS, ORIGINAL BUTLERS PANTRY, KITCHEN UPDATED, FINISHED CELLAR/BASEMENT. BEAUTIFUL DETAILS. MUST SEE TO APPRICIATE.
MLS: 71569
Price: $279,000
Bedrooms: 4 or
Bathrooms: 3
Sq Feet: 2798
Year Built: 1923
# of Floors: 2
Garage Size: 2 plus 2
Aiken Hounds Children's Hunt
Caroline and Katherine hunting the hounds
Aiken historical society meeting pt 1
Woman speaker welcomes audience to the Aiken Historical Society on August 28, 1983. She introduces three guests who will speak later (Mandel Surasky; Odell Weeks and Hastings Wyman.) She then tells the history of the Highland Park Hotel
All Equine Eyes on Aiken: What Started Aiken's Rich Horse History?
After Palace Malice's big Belmont Stakes win, some of you are asking what started Aiken's rich equine tradition. WJBF News Channel 6's Aiken County Bureau chief, Ashley Bridges, hit the training track in her galoshes to get you answers.
Aiken Is A Place Like No Other
Produced by Koelker and Associates
Aiken’s 1953 Gas Explosion
By the beginning of the 1950s, Aiken, South Carolina, was well on its way to becoming a progressive and modern small town. For more than a century, it had been a destination for northern sports enthusiasts who enjoyed the mild winters for golf and equestrian sports. Then, almost overnight, it became the nearest town to the largest construction project ever undertaken in the United States, The Savannah River Plant. The influx of tens of thousands of people in 1952 caused the downtown to expand to keep pace with the sudden increase in population.
The early hours of January 27, 1953, started out like every other weekday morning in Aiken. People were going about their morning business as usual around eight o’clock. Cars were heading down the roads toward their typical morning destinations. Parents were dropping their children off at schools and heading to their work places. Then, the unthinkable happened.
At approximately 8:30 AM, an explosion caused by a natural gas leak ripped through the basement of Jones Electric Company. Located between Hayne and Richland Avenues on Laurens Street, the building burst into flames almost immediately. Soon thereafter, the intense fire overtook four more buildings: McCreary Dry Goods, Liles Drugs, the Diana Shop and Platt Drugstore. All of them were burning out of control within moments of the explosion. People who lived in Aiken at that time have likened the blast to “a bomb” hitting the town. The shaking of the ground was reportedly felt miles away from downtown.
Aiken firefighters and medical crews rushed to the horrific scene in downtown Aiken, but more assistance was needed. So, the fire trucks and personnel from the Savannah River Plant drove the 20 miles to help their newly adopted hometown cope with the disaster. As the fire was being fought, several local men began to hear the cries of victims who were caught in the rubble. Earl Young and Ray Hydrick pulled four people who were trapped in the debris to safety. Sadly, ten other people were not as fortunate.
It took hours for the fire to finally be extinguished and when it was, almost one entire block of Laurens Street was destroyed. It took several years for new construction to be finished to replace the buildings that were lost that day.
Recently, an historical marker was erected on Laurens Street in Aiken. It was placed very close to the site where the gas leak that started the fire occurred. The marker gives general details of the explosion, but more importantly, it lists the names of those who lost their lives that day.
It reads: On this spot on Jan. 27, 1953, an explosion caused by a natural gas leak destroyed the Jones Electric Co. building and damaged Holley Hardware, Platt's Drug Store, R.W. McCreary's, The Diana Shop and Liles Drug Company. The explosion and ensuing fire left a gaping hole in the face of downtown Aiken. Ten citizens of Aiken were killed in the accident and are here remembered. They are Leila May Weeks, David O. Rutland, Emilie C. McCarter, John C. Watson, Charles Nelson Long, Mrs. R.B. Dunkin, John Henry (Jack) Neibling, James Bubba Moseley, Jack Holley and Ruth Madrey.
Adventures in Aiken! | South Carolina VLOG
I got to take a tour of Aiken, SC guided by a few real-life South Carolinians!
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DrRic Hiking - Hitchcock Woods video experience on everytrail.com
Hopeland Gardens. Aiken, SC
view of the gardens
Old-Fashioned Horse Ride From South Carolina To Florida Keys Ends In Man’s Arrest
CBS Miami’s Hank Tester reports.