Cross Hill is a small town with access to Lake Greenwood
Cross Hill has always centered around connections. The area once acted as a crossroads for Native Americans in the region. As the legend goes, the frequency with which people ran into friends and strangers on those roads gave the town its name. Today, the community is as tight-knit as ever, with many residents bonding over the region’s spirit and access to Lake Greenwood. “It’s a sleepy little town full of adventure,” says Kristen Andersen, a broker-in-charge and Realtor with TLC Real Estate who has sold homes in the area for nearly 20 years. “It’s just a neat area with history and nature. It’s fun and so friendly.”
Spend the days boating, fishing, shooting and off-road racing
While there are no parks within the town, there’s plenty of open space near Lake Greenwood. Mansfield Park Campground offers a private boat ramp, picnic pavilions, bocce ball and horseshoe courts. Anglers can catch bass, striper and crappie in the lake. Gulches Off Road Vehicle Park, which has the state's only legal trails for four-wheel drive vehicles, is about 15 miles away. Belfast Shooting Range has pistol and rifle ranges and is around 8 miles east. The annual Comin’ Home to Cross Hill event, held over Labor Day weekend, involves live music, car shows and a parade.
Ranch-style and New Traditional homes that fit many budgets
Older Colonial Revival-inspired homes and ranch-style houses sit throughout town, and New Traditional properties are common closer to Lake Greenwood — though homebuyers can find just about anything they seek. “There’s everything from Grandpappy’s cabin to big mansions,” Andersen says. “Most of them have no or low HOA fees. There’s a lot of second home ownership here, and you can find something for every budget.” The median sale price is around $385,000, below the national median, though waterfront homes can be more expensive. Properties often sell after around 90 days on the market, longer than the U.S. average of about 50. Residential roads can be narrow, but thoroughfares like Main Street usually have sidewalks. Yards often feature small trees and bushes. Woods surround the roads closer to the water.
American food with waterfront views and a tribute to a TV classic
Mayberry Diner is a throwback to the olden days. The restaurant has a Southern-inspired menu and decorates its walls with photos from “The Andy Griffith Show.” A few miles south, Skipper’s on Lake Greenwood offers waterfront views and American food, plus jet ski rentals and other activities. “They have the best onion rings in South Carolina,” Andersen says. To the east, Fat Daddy’s B-B-Q & Hash House serves platters and sandwiches in a downhome setting. Dollar General is nearby, and Food Lion and Publix locations are across the lake in Greenwood. Greenwood also has retail stores like Kohl’s and T.J. Maxx.
Students can manufacturing and finance classes at Clinton High School
Students are served by Laurens County School District 56. They can attend Clinton Elementary School, which has a B Niche grade. Clinton Middle School also earns a B. Clinton High School students can choose classes from one of 16 career clusters, or pathways, including manufacturing, finance and information technology. It gets a B-plus score.
Access to major highways with little traffic, plus a temperate climate
South Carolina State Route 72 passes through the northern part of town. It connects with U.S. Route 221 to the west. Railroads run through the center of the community. Greenville is about 50 miles away, as is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Columbia is around 70 miles east. “Traffic is never a concern,” Andersen says. “The lake has no easy perimeter road around it. You have to have a reason to be here.” Andersen says the area has a temperate climate and no real concerns about storms or flooding.
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
