Iva’s industrial history in South Carolina
Iva has always been a workers’ town in Anderson County. Originally a shipping station for the Seaboard Railroad, Iva saw a population boom after the Jackson Mill was established in the early 1900s. “There’s a lot of old mill houses inside the town limits,” says Claude Turpin, a lifelong county resident and broker-owner of Adly Group Realty. “Jackson Mill ran that town for over a hundred years before they shut down.” While the population declined after the mill closed in the ’90s, nearly 1,000 residents continue to take advantage of the slower pace and lower cost of living that Iva provides.
Boating, baseball and bass fishing
Lake Succession is a popular boating and fishing destination around 6 miles east of the town with black crappie, catfish and largemouth bass. Youth baseball and softball games are held at the Parker Bowie Complex, while basketball games and small events occur at the Iva Civic Center. Residents can check out books, CDs and DVDs at the library behind the town square. The Reviva Museum and Visitors Center was previously a bank and post office with exhibits that feature vintage photos, old arrowheads and rare rocks from Iva’s past.
Traditional and ranch-style homes on acreage
Most older homes in the town limits are on gridded streets west and east of the main road, while larger homes with acreage will be farther into the countryside. Small bungalows with porches and 6,000-square-foot lots range from $50,000 to $75,000. Traditional and ranch-style homes are most common in this community and have wooden and chain link fences along with some sidewalks, home gardens and tall trees. Single-story homes with carports and up to half-acre lots cost $135,000 to $200,000, while larger Craftsman and farmhouse-style homes on up to 8 acres range from $200,000 to $500,000. Waterfront homes by Lake Succession have their own decks and boat docks, ranging from $500,000 to $700,000.
Two towns, one school district
Iva shares a school pipeline with its northern neighbor, Starr, through the Anderson School District No. 3, which earns an A from Niche. “The schools are top in the state now,” Turpin says. “They share a middle school in Starr and they share the high school in Iva.” Iva Elementary has an A-minus and offers a free or reduced-price lunch program for all its students. Starr-Iva Middle School is rated a B-plus and is set to get a new campus on a 72-acre tract that's 5 miles north of the city. Crescent High School has a 92% graduation rate and earns an A-minus.
Cars, carnival rides and Christmas lights
The Spring Express and Car Show kicks off in April with vintage vehicles, live music and a mechanical bull ride on the town square. The Summer Nights concert series takes place every week in June and ends with a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. The Depot Day Heritage Festival brings carnival rides, inflatables and a petting zoo downtown every October, and the community always gathers to watch the Christmas tree light up in December.
Cafes, country stores and fast-food restaurants
A handful of shops and restaurants line Iva’s downtown area. The Fiesta Amigos Mexican Grill offers burritos and birria tacos alongside 3-liter margarita towers, while The Eatin’ Place is a local cafe that serves burgers and sandwiches. Fast food chains include Burger King and Subway. Local businesses include auto shops, dollar stores and the Country Lane Floral & Gift Shoppe, as well as a small grocery store in Drennon’s Market.
Local highways to Anderson and Georgia
There are several highways between Iva and surrounding communities in Upstate South Carolina, with residents driving out of town for amenities and employment. “There isn’t any more industry there, so people either go to Anderson, Greenwood or Elberton to find work,” Turpin says. The Georgia border is around 7 miles southwest when driving on Highway 184, while Antreville is around 7 miles east. Highway 81 leads to Starr 6 miles north or Lowndesville 6 miles south. While Iva Family Medicine is open until 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, most people will drive to Anderson, over 16 miles north, to use its 24-hour emergency rooms.
