Rock Hill SC Area Guide - Neighborhoods, Homes & History

Though Rock Hill South Carolina may be the largest city in York County, and the fifth largest city in the entire state, the area still exemplifies a life style that is slower paced.

Rock Hill homes are gracious and exemplify its history.  From the stately homes near Winthrop University to the large custom homes in Laurel Creek, the architecture and style of Rock Hill's homes demonstrate the love of brick, stone, and detail.  Neighborhoods and communities each offer character, style and a unique identity.

Many choose to live in Rock Hill because the town offers its residents a quiet, hometown feeling but with ready access to the amenities and convenience of a big city. Similar to Fort Mill SC, Rock Hill is also a 20 minute drive to the city of Charlotte NC.

The mild South Carolina weather is famous. With an average annual temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, a January average of 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit and a July average of 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the climate allows the enjoyment of all of the four seasons without the extremes of heat and cold.

Downtown Rock Hill

Downtown Rock Hill has historic charm and character uniquely preserved in this modern age. The Downtown Redevelopment Master Plan guides the rebirth of Downtown area, attracting investment by both public and private parties in an effort to revitalize, yet preserve the area. Vacant properties are being redeveloped and renewed, new development is planned, and public amenities expanded, making now a great time to invest. With wide sidewalks, public artwork, premium landscaping, and dedicated maintenance, Downtown is the new destination for shoppers, and a place where business can thrive.

Textile Corridor

Opportunities for private capital investment, public sector support, and a wide array of living, working, and recreational options are available in the Textile Corridor. There are approximately 250 acres including, among other things, the Bleachery complex, Springs Industries, the Cotton Factory, private residences, small businesses, and portions of the Winthrop University Campus. The vision of this area is a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use, urban village began to transpire with the completion of the historic Rock Hill Cotton Factory in the summer of 2007.

Rock Hill Educational Opportunities

Public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational opportunities in Rock Hill mark the City's strong commitment to learning at all levels. With an enrollment of 14,810, Rock Hill School District Number Three is the largest of York County's four school systems. Its 22 attendance centers include a vocational training center, two high schools, four middle schools, and fifteen elementary schools.

Winthrop University has been a Rock Hill landmark since 1886. Winthrops 100-acre tree-lined main campus is complemented by a nearby 450 acre sports and recreation facility. Winthrop has an enrollment of more than 5,000 students. Twenty percent of these students are pursuing postgraduate degrees.

York Technical College is a public institution offering both technical and college transfer courses. Established in 1964, the College is one of 16 state funded technical colleges in the state. Enrollment today has reached more than 3,600 credit students in more than 50 credit programs.

Under the supervision of the AME Zion Church, Clinton Junior College offers associate degrees in business, divinity, and liberal arts. Founded in 1894, the college offers a holistic approach to educating minds, bodies and spirits. Clinton Junior College was founded in 1894 and seeks to design and implement an educational program that will help all students lead moral, spiritual and productive lives.

Rock Hill Parks & Recreation

Rock Hill is blessed to be located so close to so many diversified activities and attractions. The Carolina Panthers and NASCAR racing are all only 20 miles away in Charlotte. In a short three hours by car, you can be strolling the beautiful beaches along the East Coast of South Carolina or taking in the splendor of the mountains of western North and South Carolina. If golf is your passion, the mild weather and preponderance of excellent golf courses in both North and South Carolina is a dream come true. Boaters can ply the spacious waters of Lake Wylie nearly year round, and the whole family can enjoy Carowinds, a 100-acre water and theme park.

The Catawba River
The Catawba River begins in the mountains of North Carolina and flows through the Piedmont of the Carolinas. The river is very important to the people of this area. The Catawba Indians of the Catawba Indian Nation have always depended on the river and its rich resources to carry them through centuries. The river has also been a very important asset to modern man and industries. Uses of the river include dams for the extraction of power, pipes to remove water for drinking and irrigation, and the removal our wastes.

Glencarin Garden
The focal point of beauty in the City is Glencairn Gardens. This six-acre, award winning park is artistically landscaped with dogwoods, flowering shrubs, bulbs, and more than 3,000 azaleas. Thousands of seasonal annuals bloom almost year round, making it a popular setting for weddings, picnics, and strolls. Glencairn Garden, is the location of Rock Hill's annual spring festival called "Come-See-Me." This festival began in 1962 as a community project to invite visitors, relatives and friends to see Rock Hill during its most beautiful season. "Come-See-Me," South Carolina's largest all-volunteer festival, has been ranked in the South's Top 20 Spring Festivals for several years and was featured in Southern Living Magazine.

Cherry Park
An award winning 68-acre recreational facility with a control tower surrounded by five softball fields, 1.5 miles of bicycle/walking trails, picnic and playground areas, and multipurpose fields for soccer and football. The area boasts four museums.

Historic Brattonsville
Magnificent 720 acre living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site that includes 29 historic structures that depict the evolving lifestyles in the Carolina Piedmont from the 1750's through the 1840's. Eight miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails are also on site and living history activities are held on the second and fourth Saturdays each month.

Museum of York County
This museum features changing exhibitions and displays in art, history, natural history, and science, as well as a fabulous collection of over 200 artfully mounted African animals, displays of tribal dress and artifacts, a nature trail, a museum store, and a planetarium.

The Rock Hill Community Theatre (RHCT)
RHCT is dedicated to providing quality theatrical entertainment for the residents of York County. The RHCT annually stages 4-6 performances. The 80-voice York County Choral Society (YCCS) is annually accompanied by members of the Charlotte Symphony and provide 4-6 performances. Finally, the York County Concert Ballet offers two full length ballets each year.

The Catawba Cultural Center
Created to preserve the heritage of the Catawba Indian Culture. This exhibit offers insights into the lifestyles of our first settlers.

Boyd Hill Recreation Center
Located at 1165 Constitution Blvd., is situated on a 22 acre park which includes the center (gym, conference room, activity/game room), three outdoor basketball courts, lighted baseball field, playground (which includes two tot lots), two lighted tennis courts, swimming pool, and a wooded trail. Three picnic shelters (one is handicapped accessible) are available also. There are many activities offered for all ages and abilities at Boyd Hill. One of the area's best porcelain doll instructors teaches classes for seniors and adults. Regular molded ceramics are featured, also as well as sewing and crafts. An industrial men's basketball league plays in the winter and summer months. The Center also houses the therapeutic recreation programs and the senior programs.

Northside Center
Located near the Gateway at 900 Annafrel Street, is situated on 5.5 acres and includes the center (community room, game room, gym, craft room, meeting rooms, playground/tot lot, swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, climbing wall, two picnic shelters, all purpose field, and a connector to the Northside Greenway (walking trail).

Downtown Blues Festival
In late September/early October, the Arts Council of Rock Hill and York County sponsors a Downtown Blues Festival. The festival includes art displays, poetry readings, kids activities and live music including the downtown blues festival.

Rock Hill YMCA
YMCA also has 3 branch locations in Rock Hill allowing you to use the Heated indoor swimming pool, Outdoor swimming pool, Magnum weight equipment, Free weights, Exercise bikes, Treadmills, Elliptical cross, Stair climbers, Trainers, Two Gymnasiums, Aerobics, Racquetball courts, Locker rooms, Free child care. The Aquatic center is a 41,000 sq. ft. facility with cathedral ceilings, there is a 10-lane, 25-yard x 25-meter competition pool (cool water), an 8-lane, 25-yard pool (warm water), Bleacher seating for over 500, 1400 sq. ft. special events/meeting room, and a Large pool deck space.

Civitas & The Gateway
The Civitas statues are 22 foot-tall sculptures standing at the intersection of Dave Lyle Blvd. and Gateway Blvd, and in the Rotunda of Rock Hill City Hall. Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation commissioned Audrey Flack in 1988 to sculpt the Civitas, which is Latin for civic pride. The Civitas reflects the spirit of Rock Hills textile heritage in the clothing and hair, which suggest billowing ribbons of material. That material transforms into wings representing the fact that Rock Hills textile history provided the texture and foundation that gave the city wings to movie forward.

Each Civitas holds a different circular emblem to signify four key themes of Rock Hill. Gears of Industry, Flame of Knowledge, Stars of Inspiration and Lightning Bolt of Energy. The Gateway intersection where the 4 Civitas statues stand is circular to symbolize unity, teamwork and togetherness. The columns that stand beside the Civitas were a gift to the city from First Union Corporation, and are regarded as one of the areas most treasured historical artifacts. A gift to the City from First Union Corporation, they represent Rock Hills commitment to preserve and enhance the history of the area.

Featured Rock Hill Neighborhoods

Come join the real estate consultants at Homes in the Piedmont .  Allow them to help with your real estate needs.  Their area knowledge and expertise cannot be understated.  Through their extensive home search, the Homes in the Piedmont professionals are ready to show all of York County's beautiful communities.   Highlighted below are just a few of the neighborhoods that may be of interest.

Millwood Plantation
Millwood Plantation is located just 3 minutes from I-77 and only 1 mile from the Piedmont Medical Center. Amenities include Splash Park and Wading Pool, Combination Softball and Soccer Field, Bocce Court, Volleyball Court, Covered Swings, Grills and Walking Trails.

Manchester Village
Manchester Village area in eastern Rock Hill has dramatically expanded in the last few years. The area is home to a movie theatre, several shopping centers, and a brand new soccer complex with synthetic turf.

Laurel Creek
Laurel Creek is an upscale community with traditional elegance and a comfortable gathering of homes in quiet, wooded surroundings. Amenities include a Clubhouse with a Junior Olympic swimming pool, a 109-foot figure-eight waterslide, gadgets and gizmos play pool along with hard-surface and clay tennis courts.

Meadow Lakes
Meadow Lakes is an elegant, custom home community with many large lakefront lots. The community includes 30 acres of lakes filled with game fish. Amenities include a community clubhouse, pool and tennis.

Waterford Glen
Waterford Glen is a luxurious golf course community featuring small-town living with all the amenities of a larger city right up the road. Amenities include a junior Olympic-size pool and cabana, championship designed golf course, convenient access to shopping, restaurants, and I-77, low taxes, and basement lots.

The Villas at Ardwyck
The Villas at Ardwyck is Lifestyle at its best. Just minutes to I-77 and nestled in the heart of Manchester Village, the Villas at Ardwyck feature all brick condo villas. Two-car garages, gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, hardwood floors in formal areas, luxurious baths, and fireplaces are just a few of features in these villas.

For information on schools in Rock Hill SC, please visit my Rock Hill Schools Page.