Chester, SC
Chester, South Carolina’s “Pretty Little City on the Hill,” is the
county seat and the largest municipality in Chester County. The
Chester Historical District encompasses 250 acres, including the
City’s revitalized downtown “Hill District”, and boasts some 475
different properties in a number of architectural styles with
original Victorian-era facades carefully preserved. Many local
organizations and merchants have spearheaded several downtown
beautification projects, including a city-sponsored $1.8 million
streetscape project completed in 1996, bringing visitors from other
towns and cities to gain ideas and input on downtown revitalization.
Economy
In a unified proactive effort, Chester County leaders and private
organizations have successfully commenced an aggressive marketing
campaign to attract additional quality industrial companies to its
already diversified portfolio of existing international companies
located throughout the county. Quality economic development and job
creation, carefully-planned growth and increased property values
currently exist and are realistically anticipated to continue. |
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Schools
Chester County School District has approximately 6,200 students and
750 employees within three attendance areas – Chester, Lewisville
and Great Falls – and offers modern facilities with small class
sizes. In addition to being the area leader in the number of
National Board Certified teachers, more than half of the teachers in
Chester County have a Masters Degree or higher education. Several
pre-Kindergarten through 12 Grade private schools are also available
and located throughout Chester County. York Technical College is
currently constructing a new 52,000 square foot facility at a cost
of $8.5M. The 40-acre satellite branch will be located on SC 9 just
east of Chester.
Neighborhoods
Chester, with its small Southern town ambience and close proximity
to Charlotte, NC, provides a desirable friendly lifestyle with
affordable real estate prices, less daily stress and low crime
rates. The Chester County area offers a varied choice for housing,
from historic homes to farms or private deed-restricted lakeside
subdivisions. Along tree-lined streets, Chester’s Historic District
offers homes dating from 1835 with styles including Queen Anne
Victorian, Classical Revival, Craftsman Bungalow, Federal-Colonial,
Greek and Italianate Revival.
Hospitals
Chester Regional Medical Center, an affiliate of Health Management
Associates, is a full-service acute care hospital and long-term care
center encompassing 82 acute care beds, 100 long-term beds, a
12-suite day hospital, an emergency room staffed 24-hours per day,
and a new surgical wing. The facility recently underwent a $15
million renovation. Emergency Medical Service and ambulance
substations are located in several areas of the County.
Things to Do
Chester residents always welcome new volunteers and members into the
many community groups, organization and events. Cultural activities
are fostered by such organizations as the Arts Council of Chester
County, the Chester Little Theatre, the Chester County Library, the
Chester Historical Society and local historical and civic groups.
Annual festivals draw large numbers both locally and from out of
state. In the fall, the City of Chester hosts the Chester Downtown
Development Association’s HILLarity Festival. This multi-cultural
event features a wide variety of entertainment, crafts and food.
Lily Fest, a celebration of the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies is
held in May at Landsford Canal State Park. Annual Spring and
Christmas Tour of Homes events offer an opportunity to really
appreciate some of the most impressive homes in Chester. |
