Raylroad Daze

There is a town back in South Carolina, called Branchville.  Every year the citizens of Branchville celebrate Raylroad Daze, yes I know the spelling is weird but that is how we spell it.  This festival celebrates the World’s Oldest Railroad junction in town.  The festival is awesome, and I am very sad that I am missing it this year.  There are gun fights, and can can girls, and rides on the Cal Smoak Special, and a bunch of other fun things to do and look at.

Merchants of Charleston, SC wanted a way to sell their goods to the people who moved inland.  In 1827 they convinced the legislature to charter the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company to look into the railroad.  In 1830 the “Best Friend of Charleston” made its first trip on Christmas.  Before this transportation depended on weather condition, and of course water tides and flow.

A second train called “West Point” arrived just five months later.  Then a accident occurred and blew up the “Best Friend.”  The railroad operated between Charleston, Branchville, Blackville, Aiken and Hamburg, South Carolina...initial run December 25, 1833.  Later operating across the Savannah River at Hamburg into Augusta, Georgia.  Also, line constructed from Branchville to Columbia, SC, making Branchville the first junction point in the world.  See this website to view pictures of the depot: http://www.patsabin.com/lowcountry/branchville.htm.

The train depot is now divided; the front is a museum for the town and has a small replica of the Best Friend.  The back of the depot is a restaurant.  Raylroad Daze is a fun way for the town to remember the history.  On opening day for the weekend, which is a Friday before the last full weekend of September, the mayor speaks, the president of the Branchville High School’s FFA speaks, and the winners of the pagent welcome every one, and every year a train comes through in fashion to open the weekend. 

For more information on the festival please go to: http://www.raylrodedazefestivul.com/