Inn On The Square: Uptown Greenwood, South Carolina's Anchor

Circuitous history with a friendly ghost

Inn on the Square, at 104 Court Avenue East in Greenwood, South Carolina, has experienced a meandering, circuitous history since the main buildings were constructed in 1905 and 1906. The back building served as an army/navy surplus, while the front building evolved from being a furniture showroom to a funeral parlor to a Christmas toy store, all while an alley provided a link between the front and the back. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Greenwood’s Uptown District experienced a revitalization, and in 1985, Inn on the Square was first opened as a hotel.

But, Greenwood, which was founded on manufacturing mills, experienced a sharp downward turn when much of the trade and many jobs headed overseas, so it closed as a hotel in the late 1990s. Nearby Lander University leased it as dormitory space for awhile, but then it sat vacant for a couple of years. Wesley Oldham and Jim McGuinness saw the property’s potential, hired David Epps as the Executive Chef and Claire Griffith as the General Manager and reopened on October 1, 2015, with beautiful decor conceived and carried out by Oldham’s wife, Kathy. Now, Inn on the Square is flourishing and the energy of Greenwood is thriving once again.

Along the way, a friendly ghost named Bill is said to make his presence known from time to time with lots of energy and random happenings. He is rumored to have been spotted in the lounge when the hotel is at full occupancy, and a couple of staff members once reported a “sighting” in the kitchen. Bill didn’t show up when I visited, but if you enjoy such things, he might be willing to meet you there.

Lovely guest rooms with luxurious amenities

Inn on the Square prides itself on being Greenwood’s only full-service boutique hotel. Guests enjoy fine linens and toiletries, along with an HD television, high-speed Internet and a morning newspaper. Each room is furnished with a coffee maker, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board.

Rooms are smoke free, but some are designated as dog-friendly. In fact, you can pick up dog biscuits for your pet at the front desk.

The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center, and self-parking is complimentary.

Complimentary full breakfast in the hotel's restaurant

From 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., breakfast is served in the Carriage House Restaurant on the hotel’s main floor. Guests may choose four items from a list of eggs any style, pancakes, brioche French toast, corned beef hash, smoked bacon, sausage, grits, hash browns or fresh fruit, with unlimited coffee, water and juice. No plastic forks or paper plates allowed. Instead, guests enjoy cloth tablecloths, napkins and full service.

Popular event venue

Inn on the Square is extremely popular for special occasions or business needs of all kinds. Weddings, in particular, are very often accommodated at Inn on the Square, with as many as 350 guests in attendance. It is also possible for a client to rent the entire hotel with all 46 guest rooms and event spaces.

Under Chef Epps’ direction, both the Carriage House Restaurant and the Fox and Hound Lounge are often filled with residents of Greenwood and surrounding towns for dinner and for the Sunday Brunch Buffet.

Historic attractions near Greenwood

Inn on the Square is within walking distance of many Uptown shops and restaurants, but it is also within easy driving distance of several attractions with important historical significance.

The Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site is an inspiring testimony to what can be accomplished through education, determination and hard work. Dr. Mays’ life began in poverty with parents who were slaves and then tenant farmers. His craving for education eventually resulted in an earned doctorate degree from the University of Chicago and 46 honorary degrees. He was an important activist during the Civil Rights Movement. On the site, you can visit his actual boyhood home, a barn, which serves as a museum and a schoolhouse similar to the one where he got his early education.

The Ninety Six National Historic Site is the location of the Siege of Ninety Six in 1781. It is a popular spot for school groups and Revolutionary War history buffs. Reenactors frequently stage demonstrations of military skills, a one-mile walking trail contains informative markers, and the Visitor’s Center has a very informative museum, video and bookstore.

The nearby town of Edgefield is home to the National Wild Turkey Federation Museum, Old Edgefield Pottery and the Old Edgefield Grill, a popular restaurant housed in an historic home.

The Old 96 Historic District comprises five counties in South Carolina and more than 10 museums and 150 miles of hiking and biking trails.