In the north-central section of South Carolina between Columbia, S.C. and Charlotte, N.C sits the city of Chester. By the mid 1700’s Scotch-Irish settlers from Pennsylvania and Virginia moved into this upstate region. The town of Chester grew as the seat of Chester County and received its name from a county with the same name in Pennsylvania. The town developed into a leading trade center for the surrounding farm communities and grew rapidly after the development of the first railroad in the area in 1851.

Historic Downtown Chester offers a unique blend of architectural styles, with many original Victorian-era facades. Monument Square features a Confederate monument, a 19th century cistern designated a national landmark, authentic Civil War cannons and the historic Aaron Burr Rock. The nationally registered Historic District is composed of numerous churches, homes and other buildings. Revolutionary War historical sites abound, including the county’s Old Catholic Church and Cemetery, where 60 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried.