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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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William Aiken Statue

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SC Picture Project / Aiken County / William Aiken Statue

This bronze statue of William Aiken, Sr. was unveiled in Aiken on March 17, 2011. The statue depicts the founder and president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company patiently waiting, pocket watch in hand, for the next train to arrive.

Statue of William Aiken

Steve Rich of Aiken © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Both the City of Aiken and Aiken County were named for William Aiken, who immigrated to South Carolina from Northern Ireland in 1789. Aiken chartered the 136-mile railroad in 1827, and by 1833 the line was running from Charleston to Hamburg. At that time it was the longest and most important railroad in the United States. The same year the South Carolina and Canal Rail Road Company was incorporated, Aiken purchased the Aiken-Rhett House, now a house museum in Charleston, from merchant John Robinson, who had lost his fortune when five of his ships disappeared at sea. Aiken lived in his residence at 456 King Street and used the Elizabeth Street home as a rental property.

William Aiken Statue

Larry Gleason of Aiken, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Sadly, Aiken died in a riding accident in 1831, never witnessing the completion of the famed Charleston-to-Hamburg line of the railroad he helped create. Aiken’s son, William Aiken, Jr., later served South Carolina as governor from 1844 through 1846.

Plan Your Trip: William Aiken Statue

Where is William Aiken Statue located?
Address: Newberry Street at intersection with The Alley, Aiken, SC 29801
GPS Coordinates: 33.559956,-81.721181
What else should I see?
Aiken Tennis Club 0 mile
Simons Federal Court House 0.1 mile
Morgan Fountain 0.2 mile
Downtown Aiken 0.2 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Aiken Historic Sites
    William Aiken Statue Map

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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