Divorce Attorney in Travelers Rest SC

During Helene's winds, a mirror fell off the wall at the Kilgore-Lewis home, a historic Greenville house that hosts weddings and events, but it didn't break.

So hopefully no bad luck, said Alecia Elrod, a Greenville Council of Garden Clubs volunteer who was raking up leaves in the lawn Tuesday morning in the home's yard, which houses the club's gardens.

Around the Upstate, the people who care for the area's historic homes and famous monuments are cleaning up and figuring out what's next.

For Elrod and the historic home, a new roof is in order after a tree damaged a porch.

The yards are heavy with fallen trees, and a few orange cones and warning tape decorate the piles of branches and leaves.

"It could have been worse and we have been blessed," Elrod said.

The grounds are not open to the public yet, but a plant sale has been delayed and rescheduled for Oct. 26.

"We want to make sure it's safe for people to come up here," she said.

Elsewhere in the Upstate:

Campbell's Covered Bridge

The historic bridge, built between 1909 and 1911, is the only surviving covered bridge in South Carolina, according to Greenville County's parks department.

The bridge is still standing and does not appear to have been affected by the storm, not even debris in the roadway.

Poinsett Bridge

580 Callahan Mountain Road., Travelers Rest

The oldest bridge in South Carolina, now a footbridge, does not appear to have been affected by the storm.

A small sidewalk near the bridge is mostly intact, but other parts of the site are covered with trees that crashed through metal fencing. The roads in the park are clear and accessible.

However, the falling of so many trees in the immediate area has changed the tree canopy near the bridge, allowing plenty of sunlight where it had previously been fairly covered.

Pretty Place Chapel

4399 YMCA Camp Road, Cleveland, SC 29635

The stunning mountain overlook was heavily damaged in the storm.

When Greenville News journalists attempted to reach the chapel on Monday, the road was inaccessible, but the area was expected to have more access on Tuesday.

Kilgore Lewis House

560 N. Academy St., Greenville

The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs' home, which is also a venue for weddings and events, is currently closed to the public.

The historic home is expected to need a new roof and the public is welcome for an Oct. 26 plant sale.

Later this year, one of the last surviving members of the Kilgore-Lewis family is expected to visit the home, Elrod said.

Jones Gap State Park

303 Jones Gap Road., Marietta

Like many state parks, especially in the Upstate, Jones Gap State Park received extensive damage and is inaccessible to the public.

Reservations at the park have been canceled.

Caesar's Head

8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland

The park is closed to visitors.

There is no access to parking or for walking the trails, and the parking lot is closed.

Paris Mountain State Park

2401 State Park Road, Greenville

Like many state parks, especially in the Upstate, Jones Gap State Park received extensive damage and is inaccessible to the public.

Reservations at the park have been canceled.

Hagood Mill Historic Site

138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens

The historic home of a functioning 1840s grist mill, and many of the state's few petroglyphs or prehistoric rock carvings, was largely unharmed during the storm.

Billy Crawford, site director, said the river rose and several trees fell but the structures and especially the people were unharmed.

There are still some trees across a walking trail but those will be taken care of soon and the property is operating as normal, he said.

The site is hosting a Storytelling Festival & Liars Competition on Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 864-898-2936 or visit visithagoodmill.com for more information or to see more events at the historic site.

Contact Mike Ellis at [email protected]

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Bringing luxury accommodations to Travelers Rest. A new hotel is in the works on the slopes of Paris Mountain.

The Divine Group hopes to reimagine Travelers Rest’s lodging history with the $60 million Inn at Altamont. Which will feature a 360 degree view of the mountainside and downtown Greenville.

“We were drawn originally by the idea of potentially doing some high end luxury condos or a luxury for rent apartment development, but then we got there we realized that there is a potential for a greater impact to the community with a lot less development,” said Kurt Patel, the CEO and Founder of The Divine Group.

The plan is for a 150-room, 4 story hotel boasting a grand ballroom, event lawn, rooftop bar, pool and spa. Patel says the plan is to open in 2030.

“We have no place where we can host a large event and be able to dine and be able to lodge while all of your guests are in one spot. so I think weddings, think business conventions,” he said.

Officials say the project will be the largest development in city history. With that—the developer hopes to also bring economic impact for downtown businesses. plus 20 acres of land preserved as greenspace for the city.

Developers will request annexation and rezoning. The community is already reacting.

“I’m all for, you know, responsible growth and what that looks like in small towns and how that can provide jobs and tourism money etcetera, etcetera. but this caliber of project is huge,” said Halli Mullins, a Travelers Rest resident.

Some worry about added traffic, wildlife and land loss—so much so a petition is gaining traction.

“It’s quiet, it’s quaint, and everyone here wants to protect that. So I feel like that goes directly against the kind of values that we hold here,” she said.

Others say they’re happy to see something other than housing.

“The tax revenue you get from a $60 million project like that is considerably more than what you get from a housing development without any strain on the services. so it’s just a win for the community,” said Travelers Rest resident Jacob Peabody.

Before they officially submit the project to the city for approval, developers want to hear your thoughts. There will be a public information meeting Monday February 10th at the Younts Conference Center at Furman from 6 p-m to 8 p-m.

For more information on the hotel, click here.

Copyright 2025 WHNS. All rights reserved.

Assuming you already have your bread and milk before the snow and ice storm hits Upstate South Carolina Friday, there are some other things you need to do to get ready.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has an extensive list on its website of preparations and how to drive in the snow, but the main message they have is don’t. Stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary for you to go someplace.

Especially with the timing of the upcoming storm, overnight Friday into Saturday morning. It will be dark, further limiting visibility. It will also be cold — 22 degrees is the current forecast.

The National Weather Service says snow will fall north of Interstate 85 and freezing rain south of the interstate.

Chances are it will be a mess. The storm is expected to move out of the area Friday afternoon, leaving up to 3 inches of snow, according to the Weather Channel.

SC Public Safety said preparation is essential. Don’t wait to check your battery, windshield wipers, tires, brakes, lights and heating and defrost systems. Frayed windshield wipers and worn tires are especially hazardous.

Inside your vehicle you should have jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, blankets, gloves, socks, hats, a first aid kit, flash light with extra batteries, cat litter or sand for better tire traction and to help free your vehicle in case you get stuck.

Before you go anywhere you must clear your windshield, windows and mirrors of snow and ice. It is the law. Turn on the heat and let the car clear itself.

You can also use one-third cup of cold/cool water and two-thirds cup of rubbing alcohol to rapidly defrost the glass, Public Safety said.

Now comes the how to drive part of Public Safety’s message.

“Winter conditions call for a different kind of driving than normal weather — slower speed, slower acceleration, smoother steering, and slower braking,” the agency said on its website.

They suggest increasing the distance between you and the vehicle ahead and avoid using cruise control. Do not under any circumstances slam on brakes. See above - following too closely.

Here’s how to handle skidding, according to Public Safety:

Public Safety says if you get stuck don’t spin your wheels. It might be a natural reaction, but the truth is you’re only digging yourself into a deeper rut.

Instead, turn the wheels to push snow out of the way and then apply a light touch on the gas.

If that doesn’t work you’ve got to get out. Hopefully you have a shovel to clear the wheels and the underside of the car.

Here’s where the sand, cat litter, gravel, or salt comes in. Pour it into the path of the wheels to help the tires get traction.

This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 5:30 AM.

More than 3,200 people have signed a petition protesting a proposal for a new luxury resort hotel on Paris Mountain.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. —

More than 3,200 people have signed a petition protesting a proposal for a new luxury resort hotel on Paris Mountain.

Developers say they're listening to neighbors' concerns and working to keep them in mind.

Neighbors say they worry the development would change the wildlife and landscape beyond recognition.

Folks on Altamont Road like it quiet.

"You can just hear nature sounds, and it feels like an oasis," said Ben Alier, who lives across from the proposed site.

When the news broke that a resort hotel was being proposed on Altamont, some neighbors took action.

Casey Cooperman created a petition that's received more than 3,200 signatures.

"When the news broke about this resort, I honestly had the gut feeling that it was wrong. And so, I tried to follow my gut," she said.

Alie signed the petition. "It really does look pretty," he said. "I just wish it was maybe pretty somewhere else."

Signs protesting the proposal line part of the road.

The Inn at Altamont is a proposed four-star hotel on Altamont Road in Greenville County. Developers tell us it would have 150 guest rooms, a rooftop bar, a spa and mountaintop views.

The proposal details setting half the land aside for public use, hiking trails and picnic areas.

"That was a big passion of mine to have some kind of public access on Paris Mountain. Even to this day to if you want to be able to enjoy the beauties of Paris Mountain, you either have to have a very expensive home or pay a state park and then hike to be able to see," said Krut Patel, the developer with the Divine Group.

While neighbors say they want a nice hotel in the city, they don't want it in their backyard, and they disagree on what should be there.

"I'm hoping that maybe, possibly one day, there could be a conservation easement. Or maybe it could be used for an eco-lodge, some other type of business," Cooperman said.

"I think it would be foolish to say, like, 'Oh, it's forever having to stay woods.' That's -- I think that's a bit naive," Alier said.

We reached out to developers about this. They responded with this statement:

"Travelers Rest is 'The Coolest Small Town in South Carolina,' and we aim to share what makes this community so special with others in a way that ultimately benefits the area through more jobs, more consumer spending, and more revenue for infrastructure and the school district.

"Originally, we were drawn to the idea of developing luxury condos or a for-rent apartment complex on the property--which is what it is currently zoned for--but we realized there was a potential to have a greater impact to the local community with less development.

"Since beginning work on this project in 2022, we have made it a priority to leave no stone unturned, commissioning third-party studies on potential impacts to traffic and the environment--both of which found no cause for concern, designing the property to seamlessly blend into its surroundings, and ensuring the beauty of the Paris Mountain viewshed is not impacted.

"We're excited about the project and have received great feedback from local business owners and others who know just how impactful this could be. I'm looking forward to meeting with community members Monday night at 6PM to showcase our thoughtful plan for The Inn at Altamont."

We reached out to the city of Travelers Rest about this. It said this is in such an early stage that it has not received an application with information yet.

A public meeting on the proposed development will be held February 10 inside the Younts Conference Center at Furman University. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.