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About Us


History/Attractions

The Belmont Inn celebrated its 100th year in 2003. This majestic beauty (formerly The Eureka, and later The Belmont Inn) was the conception of Mr. P. Rosenburg and other distinguished gentlemen of Abbeville in 1901. During 1902, plans for the hotel became a reality and city fathers awarded an Atlanta firm the $25,000 construction contract.

The local paper had high hopes for the planned hotel as evidenced by this August 20, 1902 account: "The new Hotel will be one of the best in this part of the country, with all the new and modern conveniences. Baths, barber shops, offices, elegant dining rooms, beautiful parlors, inviting sitting rooms, and bedrooms that would make the weary sleep their lives away, are part of the new Hotel. The cook rooms and the pantries will be such that no poor meals will be furnished to anybody."

By April 29, 1903 the paper reported, "Skilled workmen are now busy putting the finishing touches on the Eureka, which will be one of the finest hotels in the up-country. The plastering has been done, the windows are being put in, and other work is looking to an early completion of the work progressing nicely... There is no discounting the elegance and completeness of the structure, and great credit is due to the promoters of the scheme whereby Abbeville will take front rank as a hotel town."

A formal opening was held on August 19, 1903, "signalized by a sumptuous dinner served at 7 p.m. which could not have failed to have satisfied the taste and cravings of the most pronounced epicure." The newspaper account goes on to describe "beautiful parlors and a spacious dining room fairly ablaze with scores of incandescent lights..."

The City of Abbeville

Abbeville was settled in the mid-1700s by French Huguenots. The city was officially incorporated as a municipality within the State of South Carolina on December 20, 1832. Since then, Abbeville has experienced many exciting and turbulent events.

Abbeville is a quiet, charming Southern town that offers a unique combination of Old South history, architecture, and down-home hospitality

Known as the Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy, Abbeville is steeped in Civil War history. The city played a key role during the Civil War and that legacy remains
 preserved.  In 1860, on what is now known as Secession Hill, the decision was made for South Carolina to secede from the Union. Five years later, at Burt-Stark Mansion, the Confederacy was dissolved. Today, you can tour these, and many other historical sites, when you visit Abbeville.

Today, Abbeville provides numerous opportunities for visitors and locals alike. Tour the Square, Abbeville's historic downtown area. Or, take in a live performance at the Opera House. And, if you're looking for outdoor activities, it's a short drive to Calhoun Falls State Park, Russell Lake, and the Savannah River.

For more information about all the our area has to offer, give us a call or email us. We'll be glad to help you out.

The Abbeville Opera House and the Historic Downtown Square are significant attractions in the region. Over 35,000 patrons attend sellout shows at the Opera House each year making it the State's Rural Drama Theater.

In January of 2008, First Lady Laura Bush designated Abbeville as a Preserve America Community. This initiative recognizes those communities that demonstrate they are committed to preserving their cultural and natural heritage. The City of Abbeville was honored by this prestigious award and will continue to make sustainable historic preservation a priority.