Equestrian culture, mountain access and antiques define rural Landrum
Landrum is a rural South Carolina border city that prides itself on its old-fashioned character and access to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Residents can easily spend their days hiking to waterfalls, camping in the mountains, boating on lakes and horseback riding through the forest. Landrum actually has a reputation for its love of horses, as dozens of equestrian centers and horse farms surround the city. Landrum's downtown preserves its original architecture, drawing crowds with well-stocked antique malls and locally owned restaurants. The city has many longtime residents, ranging from families to retirees, but it also attracts newcomers seeking a change of scenery. “A lot of people are moving here from the north, like New York, New Jersey and Ohio,” says Patty Merrell, office manager at the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce, when speaking generally of the area. “We have temperate weather, beautiful mountains and fresh air. Cost of living is definitely lower, too.”
Neighborhoods can offer forest lots, new construction and older homes
Residential areas vary from neighborhoods with smaller lots and older homes to newly built subdivisions with contemporary architecture and homeowner associations. Some areas boast expansive forest lots, offering more privacy and, in some cases, space for farms or stables. Ranch-style houses are typical across the city, but American Foursquares, Craftsman-style houses and New Traditional homes are also common. Most homes cost between $200,000 and $465,000, depending on their size, condition and age. Some custom homes with Cape Cod and farmhouse design influences sell in the $510,000 to $885,000 range due to their square footage and acreage.
Hiking trails, lakes and horse farms promote active lifestyles
Landrum is inside the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, meaning abundant hiking trails, scenic lookouts and campsites are within 20 miles of the city. People are also about 12 miles from Lake Bowen, with its boating, fishing and watersports. Ample equestrian centers and horse farms surround the city and its neighbors, which has made Landrum well known for its horseback riding. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) is one of the most renowned centers, having gained fame for its horse races. Inside city limits, Brookwood Park has a playground and a walking trail. Landrum Depot has a new rail & history museum filled with memorabilia near the city’s decommissioned railway.
Although the city typically has a mild climate year-round, First Street reports that the community has a major risk from heat. It also has a moderate risk of flooding during heavy storms.
Locals enjoy historic downtown restaurants, antique malls and markets
The city’s historic downtown lines two blocks of East Rutherford Street. People mill between vintage brick buildings holding both new and old local businesses. Some established favorites include the area’s various antique malls and 1878 Butcher’s Block. The eatery offers a varied menu of sandwiches, elevated bar bites, craft beers and specialty wine. On the opposite side of downtown, The Hare & Hound serves draft pours and traditional American fare from its old-fashioned pub and open-air patio. More options are all along Highway 176 and state Route 14. Near the interstate, there are fast-food chains and supermarkets like Aldi. For locally sourced produce, the Landrum Farmers Market opens every Saturday morning from April to December.
Students attend Spartanburg district schools near their zip code
Landrum is part of Spartanburg School District One, which offers a limited in-district school choice program. However, most students attend schools within Landrum, like O.P. Earle Elementary and Landrum Middle, which have B-plus and A-minus scores from Niche. Landrum High earns a B rating and offers specialized career courses in entrepreneurship, sports medicine and agricultural mechanics.
Greenville and Spartanburg offer big-box stores and employers nearby
Although Landrum is rural, it isn’t far from major cities. It’s within 30 miles of Greenville and Spartanburg , and Charlotte is less than 100 miles, or about 90 minutes, away. “If you need something like a Home Depot, you have to go to one of those locations,” Merrell says. “We’ve been able to keep our local stores in business here, but sometimes you just need to go to a city that has the big-box stores.” Bigger cities also have major employers. Highway 176 and state Route 14 create the city’s main intersection, but Interstate 26 is usually the go-to for long-distance travel.
Seasonal events include Halloween haunts and Hogback Mountain Day
Landrum keeps an active calendar of events, especially around the holidays. “They dress themselves up for Halloween and Christmas exceptionally well,” Merrell says. Every year, downtown transforms into a very spooky spot for the Halloween Stroll, when costumed kids walk from store to store to collect candy. The city welcomes winter with a tree lighting ceremony and Light Up Landrum, its Christmas parade through downtown. Hogback Mountain Day, which is in September, treats over 2,500 people to a farmers market, woodcarving demonstrations and carnival rides. Bluegrass music fills the air as kids explore a petting zoo and attendees browse vendor tables.
