Aiken Winter Colony


The Aiken Winter Colony was a winter resort in Aiken, South Carolina, that existed in the 1800s as a health resort for coastal residents wishing to escape malaria and yellow fever.

Formation and History

The Aiken Winter Colony was established in Aiken, South Carolina, by Thomas Hitchcock [Sr.] and William C. Whitney in the late 19th century. The resort gathered fame as a wintering spot for wealthy families, mainly from the Northeastern United States. Activities that were popular at the resort included fox hunting, polo, golf, and equestrian sports.
The Winter Colony's estate consisted of many large houses, cottages, and six hotels. The Highland Park Hotel was one of six hotels, and it hosted over 350 rooms. All of the hotels have since burnt down, except for the Wilcox Inn, which still remains today.

Notable residents