Laurens, SC
Music connected to Laurens
About Laurens
- • Singer Arthur Smith, known for "Guitar Boogie," was born in Laurens County.
- • Thornwell Orphanage, a significant Presbyterian children's home, was founded here in 1875.
- • Its location along the railroad spurred economic growth, establishing it as a trading hub.
- • A Carnegie Library once stood on West Main Street, now the site of a bank.
- • The Great Depression deeply impacted the textile-dependent economy of Laurens.
- • Named after Revolutionary War President Henry Laurens, it was established in 1785.
- • With roughly 9,000 residents, the population is smaller than its peak in the early 20th century.
- • At 610 feet, the elevation offers slightly cooler summers than the coast.
- • Manufacturing, particularly in textiles and related industries, remains a key employer.
- • A sense of quiet history permeates the air, offering small-town charm and hospitality.
- • The Greenville Drive, a Red Sox affiliate, are about 30 miles away in Greenville.
- • Laurens High School Raiders compete fiercely in football within the upstate's Region 2-AAAAA.
