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They've come a long way baby!
Spartanburg is one of those small to medium Southern towns which had a chance to die but seems to have avoided that fate. Once a textile center, it really was never "just" a textile town and that may have been its saving grace.
Perhaps the biggest single revitalizing event in recent years was when former Wofford football star and graduate Jerry Richardson was awarded an NFL franchise and decided to accept Team Spartanburg's offer to establish his team's pre-season training camp here. The city is also home to more major corporate headquarters than one might think for a town of its size. BMW has a major manufacturing plant here and Milliken & Co., Denny's (restaurant) Corporation, and Extended Stay America hotels all have their corporate headquarters here. It is also home to several arboretums and botanical gardens, six colleges, and a wide array of athletic facilities and events.
Spartanburg has 43 hotels, seven bed and breakfasts, and three campgrounds offering you a choice of over 4000 places for your overnight stay.
And DO NOT forget the southern charm!!
"The Barnet Factor"
I am not up to date on recent Spartanburg history but I could not help but wonder as to the relationship between the name of her current mayor, Bill Barnet, and the name of the park (Barnet Park) which is a major focal point of Spartanburg's civic revitalization. The walkways, fountain, and grassy areas of Barnet Park were more crowded than one would expect of a downtown park each time I drove or walked by during my visit.
"The Outdoor Town"
Although July and August can be oppressively hot in this area, winters are usually mild and Spartanburg is very much oriented to outdoor life, aesthetically, athletically, and otherwise. Parks, arboreta, golf courses, fishing "holes," playing fields, and trails for walking, running, or biking, and even horseback riding abound, as well as an abundance of other places of natural outdoor beauty which are available merely for your relaxed enjoyment.
