On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, the dedication of the new S.C. Bicentennial Wagon House in Wagener was held. Many made contributions to seeing this project through to completion. We were fortunate to receive a grant from the Aiken County Accommodations Tax Fund acquired with the wonderful help of Emily Ann Turner, our grant writer. Even with this grant the wagon house would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of our mayor and all the town employees.
In 1977, the town of Wagener received the official S.C. Conestoga wagon that participated in the 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania. Mrs. Maradelle Ray was among the townspeople who took it upon themselves to ask for the wagon to be given to Wagener. “Wagons to Wagener” was the name of our yearly festival at that time so it became the symbol of the celebration. It was her “gentle nudges and suggestions” that help spur the completion of the new wagon house.
This is not just any wagon. It represented the entire state of SC in the Wagon Train Pilgrimage. Imagine all the states working together for one purpose – to celebrate our country’s 200th birthday. The state of Pennsylvania provided one wagon to each of the fifty states. Starting in 1975, the wagons from the western states started on their trip eastward. The wagons traveled along historic trails and wagon routes and then met on July 4, 1976, in Valley Forge. Stores are told of pieces of wagons taken for souvenirs after the celebrations. Fortunately the S.C. wagon was spared.
With the building’s completion, we now can display and preserve the wagon for future generations. Tommy & Cindy Flowers of Blackville provided the beautiful horses that allowed us all to enjoy seeing the wagon in the Christmas parade. More information about the Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage and the Wagons to Wagener celebration can be found in the Wagener Museum.