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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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Blair

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Fairfield County / Blair

The rural community of Blair in Fairfield County can be found halfway between Winnsboro and Newberry. Its population is not quite 1,500. Columbia, roughly 45 miles away, is its nearest big-city neighbor.

Blair General Store

Teri Leigh Teed of Camden, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

While most of the town’s businesses are no longer open, Blair is home to the Blair School of Realism, headed by airbrush artist Dru Blair. His 100-acre campus, which sits within the Sumter National Forest, provides housing for students who travel from all over to attend his workshops.

Blair SC

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Blair’s main industry is granite mining. Several locals are employed at Vulcan Mining Company, which supplies granite for both roadway and railway use. A similar operation once existed at the nearby Kincaid-Anderson Quarry.

Blair Antique Store

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The rest of Blair is as quiet as the pine forests surrounding these old buildings. The Blair General Store was owned by Ray Blair. Mr. Blair was not only the town merchant but also served on the Fairfield County school board. The building burned twice and was rebuilt both times.

RM Blair Store

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Farming sustained this small town in earlier years. Its location on the Broad River made it a stop for farmers both bringing in produce and shipping it out.

Blair Barn

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Both a public library branch and a post office serve residents of Blair. However, most people travel to nearby Newberry to meet their commercial needs.

Ragsdale Store Blair

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Many thanks to South Carolina Picture Project contributors Teri Leigh Teed and Jim Jenkins, not only for their photos but for their information on Blair.

Blair Post Office

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Blair


Contributor Teri Leigh Teed, who took the top photo on this page, describes Blair as follows: “Once the main river ferry point for farmers bringing their crops to the Blair General Store, Blair is now a sleepy village home to an artists’ school headed by world-famous airbrush painter extraordinaire, Dru Blair. Perched on the edge of the Broad River, Blair is a quiet, reflective place surrounded by forests and a great place for a stop of a Sunday afternoon drive in the fall.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Blair

Where is Blair located?
Address: Off South Carolina Highway 34, Blair, SC 29015
GPS Coordinates: 34.420972,-81.395702
What else should I see?
Broad River 3.2 miles
Shivar Springs Cisterns 7.9 miles
Liberty Universalist Church 9.5 miles
New Hope United Methodist Church 10.6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Stores
    Blair Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SC Picture Project says

      October 1, 2018 at 1:03 PM

      Thank you for your comment, Charles. We have added this information to our page (see above).

      Reply
    2. Charles Gibbs says

      September 26, 2018 at 1:13 AM

      Would like more info on Blair and what it has to offer. Info on Blair business … what big town nearby … how far … population? Thank you!

      Reply
    3. George Waters, Jr. says

      November 28, 2014 at 3:12 AM

      My heritage is in Blair, South Carolina!

      Reply
      • Recie says

        April 29, 2021 at 7:47 PM

        Hi George, do you know any relatives by the last name Worthy?

        Reply

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    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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