The Augusta-Aiken Trolley Line | A History

Allen Riddick

February 11, 2021

The Augusta-Aiken Railway, better known as the Trolley, was established in 1902 by the Augusta-Aiken Electric Railroad Company. James U. Jackson, who owned the Hampton Terrace Hotel and Golf Course in North Augusta, was one of the principal promoters of the Trolley Line. The route started in Aiken near the current Aiken Visitor’s Center, went down Park Avenue, and turned onto Laurens Street. It proceeded into Graniteville via Hampton Avenue and on what is Trolley Line Road today. Graniteville was the first stop in the “Valley,” and stops followed in Warrenville, Langley, and Clearwater. The Trolley then made its way into North Augusta and on into Augusta. It was a 26-mile route that cost 25¢.

The Trolley was discontinued in 1929. The Aiken County Historical Society erected an official South Carolina historical marker on Laurens Street in the approximate location of the line’s tracks.

The following story was written by Minnie Dean in 1916. It was discovered in a school composition book that includes several stories she wrote for an English class. She attended Leavelle McCampbell High School in Graniteville. The story is about going to the fair in Augusta, but the great part of the story is how she got there — riding the trolley.

An Hour at the Fair

One day in October about three years ago, the school had a holiday in order that the pupils might go to the fair. Many children went and I was among them.

I got on the car (trolley) and rode to the fairgrounds. As I entered I saw many beautiful attractions and then I went to the main building, where I saw many exhibits — poultry, agricultural, and needlework; most of all I admired the needlework. In about an hour, I decided to come home and when I got to the car line, there was a large crowd and I had to wait ten minutes. At last it came and was crowded before I got to the steps. I lost some of my money in getting on and after I got on I had to stand up all the way home. It was then I resolved that it would be a long time before I would go to another fair.

The trolley car on Laurens Street during its return trip from Augusta. It is headed to the turnaround that was located a block up from the Aiken Visitor’s Center on Park Avenue.

The Hampton Avenue Trolley stop.

The trolley car coming up Park Avenue on its way to Augusta.

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Allen Riddick

Allen Riddick is a 1974 graduate of Aiken High School and a 1978 graduate of Clemson University. He has been the president of the Aiken County Historical Society since 1999. During that time he has taken tens of thousands of photographs of Aiken --- people, places, and events --- to document its history, change, and growth. He is an avid collector of old Aiken memorabilia, especially photographs. He has written three Aiken-themed books: Aiken County Schools, a Pictorial History and More, Memories of Growing Up and Living in Aiken, SC, and The Life of Bob Harrington and His Memories of Aiken Preparatory School.

Allen Riddick

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