Seneca, South Carolina-Growing Up In A Small Town

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

Seneca, South Carolina, that's my hometown. I'm proud to call Seneca my hometown. As the years have passed, I don't get back as much as I would like. When I do, a feeling of comfort always comes over me. I'm home. While it has grown and changed so much since I left in the early 90s to pursue my radio career, it really hasn't changed at all. I still get asked if I'm Sammy and Mildred's boy at least one time when I go home.

Seneca was the type of town where every one knew everyone. If you did something when you were not with your family, your parents would know about it before you got home. The men and the ladies in the church could discipline you just as your parents would. Sunday morning, Sunday Night and Wednesday Night's were meant for Church and nothing else. Friday night was high school football. Saturday was you spent all day cleaning your car so you could just sit in the Bi-Lo parking lot till mid night talking with your friends.

The same Bi-Lo parking lot where when the police rode through would always say, How's ya daddy doing? Meaning, you mess up, I'm calling our parents. That was all that would be needed to be said. Did we pull a fast one from time to time, yes we did. Did we get caught, sometimes, did they call our parents, Yes they did.

Famous People From Seneca, South Carolina

John Edwards-North Carolina Senator and Ran For President
Bennie Cunningham-Played For the Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Aikens- Played Baseball For The California Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Lindsey Graham-Senior South Carolina State Senator
Tee Gentry-Radio Personality, Yes Tee and I Are From The Same Home Town

Seneca's population was around 6,000 people. Today it's around 8,500 people according to the 2020 census. We didn't' have McDonalds and Wendy's until much later. We grew up with the Time Drive Inn, Leonard's, and The Blue Flame. Today, there seems to be more fast food and chains that local eatery's.

We had Belk, Bergens for clothes. We had a Roses and T.G.& Y and Harpers 5 & 10 back in the day. If we wanted to do real shopping we had to to Anderson South Carolina which was about 42 miles from Seneca. They had a Mall. Look out!

I wouldn't trade where I grew up and where I'm from for all the money in the world. Being from Seneca, made me who I am today and I'm really good with that. Here are some pictures from my town, Seneca, South Carolina.

Welcome To Seneca.

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

This is the sign that welcomes me back home every time I go. To this date, I make sure I see this sign when I go home

The House That Built Me

400 Maple Avenue. The home I grew up in. We moved in this house when I was around 10 years old

Gignilliat Middle School

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

The is where I went to middle school. For us that 5th and 6th grade. This use to be the old High School.

North Side Elementary School

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

This school has since been remodeled and is bigger than the high school I went to

The Furniture Store.

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

This was located in downtown Seneca and still is. Every piece of furniture we ever had came from here.

Bergens Clothing Store

Photo-Chris O'Kelley

This was the locally owned clothing store in Seneca. I remember the shoe department being downstairs and Mrs Pat being the lady who would measure your feet and find your shoes.