Insider's Guide: Cheraw, SC

South Carolina is a state filled with early history and equally early houses. In fact, the state is not only rich in such structures, it was also one of the pioneers in the current historic preservation movement, which was one reason for the recent uproar against the Historic Charleston Foundation and their clumsy attempt to divest themselves of the Nathaniel Russell House. From all quarters, the outcry included reference to the fact that HCF was one of the oldest and most distinguished preservation non-profits anywhere, and if they were apparently losing their heads, the thinking ran that it did not bode well for the movement elsewhere.

And while common sense does point to the coastal region as the place to go to find the greatest concentration of old houses to photograph, the truth is that just about every area of the state has an abundance of opportunity. Living just north of the state line in North Carolina, I have had occasion to visit most every region in South Carolina - and have never come away disappointed.

Today’s tour will focus on one of my favorite destinations for photography - historic Cheraw, SC.