Have an adventure in the city you thought you knew!
Rock Hill Trek Scavenger Hunt
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1. To START our trek, please head to the parking lot at East Main & Dave Lyle in RH. Once here, look around for a small grassy area with abstract metal art for your first question.
There are many ways to explore: in a car, walking, rollerblading, etc…. But I must say, that’s an unusual place to see bikes! How many total wheels are there?
Buzzzz! Not Quite right.
Yes! Great job looking around.
To continue our trek, please walk down Main Street to pass the big red brick building of Wells Fargo Center on your Left. Keep your eyes open!
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2. Who was the architect of the building that houses the Wells Fargo Center?
Did you find the inscription below Friedheims?
Great looking.
Here’s another close-by one to get you settled in.
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3. How many rail cars of stone were used to erect this building in front of you?
Correct.
Isn’t this fun? Next, you are looking for an Alley that acknowledges the plant that was KING in this area in the 1800s. Our question is about the photo mural in this Alley.
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4. Main Street Rock Hill got a facelift of how many millions of dollars?
Good job.
Hope you could just scan the headlines to find this answer. Isn’t it fascinating that this lovely street you will walk along used to be covered over with a roof? Let’s continue on the way you were walking down Main Street around the corner.
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5. Here’s a big, colorful logo for the Arts Council. How many colors do you see on the big logo?
Did you include white?
The Center for the Arts is housed in two restored 100-year old buildings. The Center houses the offices of the Arts Council of York County, the Dalton Gallery, the Edmund Lewandowski Classroom and private artist studios. Please continue down Main Street to a popular stop for lil tykes.
Walk a little past the museum to find the plaque… (formerly = used to be)
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6. What used to be housed in the building of the Main Street Children’s Museum?
Which bank? (3 words)
Alright, alright. Next, head to the alley with brick flowers. Keep walking the direction you have been.
look down at the corner
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7. What rises at the beach according to Spencer Hall? (two words)
We’ll continue to enjoy a beachy theme. Walk on down the alley to the other side. Feel free to jump along the waves 🙂 This is a great spot for photos.
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8. What number is pictured in the mosaic at the end of the alley?
Did you read the sign on your way to this alley? Or see the display behind you at this end of the alley? Both are about Friendship Nine – Solid bit of history, there.
Head under the Old Town Market sign (there has been a seasonal farmer’s market here, but starting in May 2025 it is moving to Fountain Park – we’ll take you there). Go under the coverings to the next street, turn left to cross, walk on then cross the street where it Ts down a block or so.
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9. Here’s a good spot. You can get a treat at Whit’s Custard or a few spots in the Mercantile (snazzy spot for some DIY bars or gift shopping). Outside you’ll find a free library stand. Take a peek and tell us what year is represented matching Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a dystopian view of the future with Big Brother watching as history is rewritten, literally.
It’s amazing how some books just seem all the more relevant. I admit I almost related a Question to Harry Potter… From the little free library, turn Right and head to the corner where the 3 churches sit.
under the track, not above
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10. Next, head left to go see how many railroad ties nestle the track under the Red Caboose?
Isn’t this cute? The red caboose is a popular symbol of Rock Hill’s heritage. You’ll learn more soon about role of the city as an early 20th century railroad hub. Head on back to the corner and turn Left onto White Street.
It’s on the main side of the sign OR 100-74=?
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11. Now, let’s take a look at some local church history.
How many charter members organized the 1st ARP Church?
Good looking, good lookin’.
Walk down further on White Street between 1st ARP & St. John’s UMC to the light and cross to where you see a good ol’ fashioned hand well pump.
You may know it as the “Windy City” or “Chi-town” or home of the White Sox & Cubs
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12. If your horses are thirsty, they can stop by the trough here. (Did you think it was just a fountain too? It’s a trough apparently). What was the 3rd city that made up the 3 C’s Railroad? Charleston, Cincinnati, and __________?
A word to the wise, be careful you don’t get caught at a crossing on account of a train here — they take ‘forever!’
Go ahead and enjoy the shade at the Historic White Home #358
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13. The property of the White Home, was originally purchased by George & Ann White from James Black as a leased option from Catawba Indian Nation. They soon saw the benefit of the railroad coming to town. The family was instrumental in the start of Rock Hill as a town. And even helped start a local school as well as the First Presbyterian Church you walked past. How many total generations were raised here at the White Home?
The answer was on the sign outside the White Home and also back by the water trough. The White Home is really neat, a hallmark of the town. It is available for events and tours. George’s cousin was Andrew Jackson, who helped in the American Revolution, was a hero in the War of 1812 and became a US President (SO much great info about him as he grew up nearby!). The youngest son, Andrew White, served in the Constitutional Convention of 1895. Let’s head back towards town on Elizabeth Street. The White Home will be on your left as you walk.
they branch, so be sure to count what hits the ground
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14. Here we come to Fountain Park a ways down on the Right. This is a great spot for a picnic. It also hosts yoga in the park days, festivals and across the street around Christmas is a skating rink. Starting in May 2025 there will also be the farmer’s market. It’s a nice fountain but mind the wind.
Our question relates to the stage and its covering. How many steel tubes make up the arch overhead?
Be sure to keep an eye out for events here! From onstage with your back to the green & fountain, a little to the Right in front of you is the Fire Museum. It’s got a fun play area for little ones. Check the website to see what it takes these days to check it out. Our girls loved the ambulance and the fire poles. A bit more to the Right is a public restroom.
We’ll continue our Trek heading back towards the Fountain end. Keep an eye out for clues!
Around the fountain green are brick inscriptions with 8 phrases. I’ll tell you the answer is not a Valentine declaration.
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15. Fountain Park remarks about some good aims to have in life, in work, in community.
We want To Challenge (ourselves), To Connect (with others), etc.
Find all 8 of these aims to solve this puzzle:
The 5th letter from each of these aim words can be rearranged to answer “What phrase might people in the area (in addition to those in areas like Charleston and even Boston) in 1773 have wrestled with regarding their pleasures and the state of the world?” Answer as a phrase: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
From Fountain Park you can see the First Presbyterian Church.
This is the site of our next question.
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16. Here is the First Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill. The original chapel was put on log rollers and moved to the current site in 1858. The congregation was officially chartered as First Presbyterian in 1869 – that’s the date you’ll see on the cornerstone & sign. What rounded letter is hidden in the 2 corners of the wrought iron fence?
Walk down Main Street away from the fountain to continue our Trek.
It might be hidden behind that tree, especially if it is blooming
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17. As you’re walking, you’ll notice across the street 2 historic buildings with an interesting sculpture between them. The one that used to be the old Post Office is called the Getty Center, a housing of Arts in the area. It has 2 unique features: the roof served as an observation deck during WWII and the basement contains a nuclear fallout shelter.
You’ll soon come upon a girl with big dreams of being an astronaut.
Something about her denotes what year Rock Hill was founded. Which year?
The first passenger train arrived in March 1852. A few weeks later, that first Rock Hill Post Office opened.
Head further down Main to where you can peek underground.
Did we catch you not really reading our tidbits?
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18. If you peek down these windows one or both may be dressed with a decor set or clothing for this cute shop collective. There are 3 levels with lots of talent displayed. If you ask nicely, they also have a restroom inside. Which war was the post office down the street used as an observation deck?
Keep heading down Main Street looking for a crossroads where you’ll see 4 kids are sipping a milkshake
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19. Hmm, maybe there’s just 2 kids on that milkshake after all – hard to tell. Here’s an easy one: What is the cross-street name? (only need 1 word)
Turn left here. You should be on the side with the milkshake. Let’s go find out about this street’s namesake.
many people on Sunday mornings go to ________
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20. What was Black Street’s former name?
One side of this sign talks about Black who, along with the White family, helped found the town out of their farms. So many farms near here. You can read about Hampton on the other side. Interesting to note that his term began 100 years of Democratic control of the state.
Another well known historic landmark region relates to the historic Springs Cotton Mills. A bit north in Fort Mill, SC – it is now a huge privately owned nature preserve. Anne Springs Close Greenway is accessible by admission fee or membership and offers events, a lake, hiking, trail riding, history, etc.
Go ahead and cross to the far side of Black Street and you’ll see a big paved courtyard area ahead with a clock tower.
Go the brick way with the metal handrails straight to the picture, not the wider ‘benches’
…. Don’t forget the 2 from the sidewalk
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21. This area is a nice place to relax. They have live music here during the year. A fun one is Beach Bash at the Come See Me Festival (https://www.comeseeme.org/). The buildings you see are the city hall and library.
How many stairs do you climb to get from the sidewalk up to this view (Rock Hill City Hall)? ((add photo))
Next we head to the library building. There are restrooms just inside if you need them now or after the next question.
look in the wagon & field
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22. The mural outside the library displays 1 goose, 1 dog, 1 cat, 2 frogs and 3 __________?
Good.
This artwork is paying respect to Vernon Grant, an illustrator who lived many years here in Rock Hill. He is known for the characters from a popular cereal (do you see them?), for the Frog that is the mascot of the Come See Me Festival in the spring and for many depictions of Santa – also celebrated in a local festival, Christmasville.
You can check out more murals around town here (https://www.onlyinoldtown.com/muralmile)
Remember, there are restrooms in the library if you need them.
Just past the library (before the police station) is a cross-walk. Head across Black Street to learn about the Anderson Motor Company.
look for an ad for it along this building heading toward Dave Lyle Blvd
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23. How many horsepower drove Anderson’s Ultra-convertible Sport Car?
Automotive progress didn’t happen much in the agrarian South. Known as Henry Ford’s Rock Hill Rival, in the mid-1910s, John Gary Anderson reorganized his Rock Hill Buggy Company into the Anderson Motor Company and began selling an upscale, six-cylinder touring car. Starting locally, he expanded, setting up dealerships in the northern U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean. Roughly 6300 Anderson cars were made during the company’s run. Anderson was an early adopter of electric windshield wipers and he equipped his cars with a transmission-mounted air compressor for filling flat tires. These were the first cars to be built with headlight foot dimmers and powered convertible tops. He additionally was credited with helping to bring a sense of style to the vehicular realm, incorporating colors instead of only black or gray. These must be reasons he used to justify that slogan price. Model T Fords sold for under $300. Andersons cost about $1,650 for a five-passenger touring car and $2,550 for a sedan. Unfortunately, it was not to last. The Southern heat and humidity was a problem for some components. After WWI, the economy of South Carolina and other Southern states was faltering well ahead of the Great Depression, due to plunging cotton prices. It seems the company closed in 1926. This building now houses The Anderson Apartments.
Did you read the info we gave after the previous question?
That’s where the answer is
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24. Approximately how many Anderson Motor cars were built?
Alright! From here we’ll go backtrack just a touch to Elk Ave. I’ve got a picture on the next screen to help.
Look for yellow and blue. You’ll also find one written to Grandma on a Monday night.
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25. If you are still at the info for Anderson Motor Company, you are by the yellow mark on this satellite photo. Next we’ll head to around the red mark. Please take a look around and tell us when was a letter written to “Precious”? (answer is 2 words)
You may have also found one written to Grandma on a Monday night. In this nearby building is the Comporium Telephone Museum that offers free visits during museum hours as well as group tours. Next, we’ll walk further up “Elk Ave” towards the kiosk and turn Left back towards our starting point.
This sign is not up on a pole, nor is it related to a certain building
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26. As you head back towards Dave Lyle Blvd but before you cross to our starting point, we have one final question for this Rock Hill Trek the City Trek. How many acres of land were donated by the Black family to create this lovely Main Street of Rock Hill?
Congratulations! You have just completed the Rock Hill Trek!
Thank you so much for trying out Trek the City. We hope you’ve enjoyed your time with us, gotten a little exercise and strengthened your mind a bit too. Please, we welcome your comments and suggestions.
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