Laurens is a wonderful city in Upstate South Carolina serving as the county seat of Laurens County. Activity centers on the town’s historic square, hosting a plethora of boutique shops, local restaurants, and specialty stores.

Real Estate

Laurens real estate includes a mix of historic homes and newer properties. There are a number of historic homes in Laurens, primarily in the West Main Street District. Styles of historic homes in Laurens include Greek Revival, Art Deco, Italian Villa and more. Many of Laurens homes are situated on large lots, enjoying the rural setting and beautiful scenery of the area.

Lifestyle and Attractions

Located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, Laurens is a charming southern city serving as the county seat of Laurens County. The city boasts convenient access to larger cities within the region, including Greenville and Spartanburg, which are each about 36 miles away. Laurens is a family-friendly community with a myriad of unique shops and one-of-a-kind eateries in its historic town square. The city hosts a number of historic sites and homes, including the Octagon House, an eight-sided house built in 1859 that is considered the first concrete home built in the state. There are a number of historic homes in Laurens, concentrated primarily in the West Main Street District.

Laurens is well-equipped for outdoor activities. The Laurens Parks and Recreation Department operates five parks, including Little River Park with a putt-putt course, a pavilion and a playground, and Laurens City Park with two baseball fields, a multipurpose field, a football field, and six tennis courts. The Laurens County Museum focuses on the region’s history, including agriculture, law enforcement, military history, and the textile heritage of the county. Laurens hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Little River Spring Festival, Riverfront Freedom Festival, Boo in the Park, and Laurens Idol. The 3,000-seat Laurens Amphitheater is an outdoor facility serving as a site for concerts, festivals, weddings, and other local events.

Nearby Schools and Higher Education

Students in Laurens have access to six schools under Laurens County School District 55, including three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. There are three private schools in the area, including First Baptist Church Kindergarten, Laurens Academy, and Lighthouse Christian Academy. Residents have access to a variety of options for higher learning, including the University of South Carolina-Union in Laurens, Presbyterian College in Union, or the variety of institutions in Greenville and Spartanburg.

History

The first inhabitants of the area now known as Laurens were the Cherokee Indians. By the year 1721, the Cherokee and white settlers’ governments made a number of treaties for the land. Shortly after, a wave of Scots-Irish immigrants flooded the region.

The Revolutionary War Battle of Musgrove Mill occurred just outside of Laurens. In 1790, Laurens was elected as the county seat of Laurens County. From that point forward, cotton grew as the area’s major crop, which brought economic prosperity. Andrew Johnson, who eventually became president of the United States in 1865, worked as a tailor in downtown Laurens from 1824 to 1826.

After the Civil War and both World Wars, textile mills and glass factories dominated the landscape of Laurens. Eventually, new industry firms moved to the area, sparking economic prosperity and a promising future for Laurens.

Approximate Distance to:

Spartanburg: 36 Miles

Greenville: 36.5 Miles

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport: 37 Miles

Hospitals:

Laurens County Memorial Hospital: 5 Miles

Major Highways:

I-385: 4.5 Miles

I-26: 9.5 Miles