In February of 1837 the small community of White Stone, South Carolina got a post office that now has its own zip code. To this day it’s still open although the businesses that were around when it opened are long gone.
Google Maps [streetview]
But there’s still a lot of history to be mined in this small community. Much of it now falls within Croft State Park.
Facebook/South Carolina Parks
You can head to Croft State Park and uncover a lot of this community’s past, including a trail to an abandoned resort.
hikecroft.com by Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce
Or more accurately, the ruins of an abandoned resort that once had 250 rooms and attracted visitors from all over the Southeast.
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
Among the extensive network of more than 50 miles of trails at Croft is the trail to the former Whitestone Springs Resort.
South Carolina State Parks
This moderate five mile hike will lead you over a couple of creeks, so prepare to make sure your footing is solid.
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
And then, when you get to a sign that gives you the option for the “upper” or “lower” trail…take the “upper” trail to get to the ruins.
alltrails.com/bill chick
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
You’ll encounter ruins almost immediately upon reaching the end of the trail.
alltrails.com/bill chick
In the 1800s Whitestone Springs was a posh resort whose natural spring was widely believed to cure many ailments including kidney, stomach issues and even Malaria.
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
The spring still spills its famous H2O so once you’ve reached the ruins you can fill up on this healing water yourself.
alltrails.com/penny ginn
The abandoned ruins of Whitestone Spring are widely unknown in South Carolina.
alltrails.com/bill chick And the resort itself is a part of the history of this state that hasn’t been well enough documented. All we know is the resort was once a thriving part of the White Stone community and then in the early 1900s it burned and was never rebuilt.
Since that time, Camp Croft came and went, leaving the ruins miraculously untouched. Now they sit on Croft State Park’s easternmost edge just waiting to feel alive again.
Google Maps [streetview]
Facebook/South Carolina Parks
hikecroft.com by Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce
Flickr/MarksPhotoTravels
South Carolina State Parks
alltrails.com/bill chick
alltrails.com/penny ginn
And the resort itself is a part of the history of this state that hasn’t been well enough documented. All we know is the resort was once a thriving part of the White Stone community and then in the early 1900s it burned and was never rebuilt.
If you want to visit, there’s a map above for reaching the ruins from within the state park. There are also rumors that you can reach the ruins from an undisclosed entrance on Cowford Bridge Road, not long after the fork of Whitestone Road. The entrance to Croft State Park is located at 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302. More information regarding entrance fees and park hours can be found on the official website for South Carolina State Parks.
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