Chappells: History and Paddling on the Saluda River

Chappells combines the history of the Saluda River with traces of the town’s earlier development and two described paddling sections. Those looking for a vacation rental can choose between a focus on cultural history and a trip featuring waterscapes and quiet river sections. The town’s history extends from a ferry service on the river to railroad and building remains, while the two Saluda River routes are characterized by different route profiles as well as predominantly calm water with small or shallow rapids.

Historic Houses and the History of Chappells

The Moon-Dominick House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of its significance to architecture and local history. The two-and-a-half-story timber-frame farmhouse is located in rural Newberry County and was probably built around 1820 as a residence for Dr. Peter Moon. Locally, it is known as the “Old Tin House” because it probably had the first metal roof in Newberry County. This combination of architectural form, local tradition, and its place in the history of the region makes the house an important point of reference for travelers who want to experience Chappells not only as a starting point for activities but also as a historic place.

Another historic point of reference is the Webb-Coleman House, also known as Christian's Post Office. It is located two miles south of Chappells on a 13⅓-acre property. The two-and-a-half-story, five-bay farmhouse with a gabled roof was built in the Federal style as a timber-frame and weatherboard structure in the first quarter of the 19th century. The periods 1800–1825, 1833–1844, and 1915–1934 are listed as periods of significance for the building. Those interested in historic architecture will find a different architectural expression here than at the Moon-Dominick House.

The town’s development can also be traced through several locations. In the late 18th century, Thomas Chappell built his residence and a ferry service at this location on the Saluda River. In early 1852, the Greenville and Columbia Railroad reached Chappells. The first businesses along the river were destroyed by a tornado in 1884. In the woods near the old railroad embankment, several remains of the brick-built commercial buildings have survived; on the former main street, brick walls and piles of bricks point to the former buildings. In Mills' Atlas, Chappells was recorded under the names “Chapple” and “Chapple’s Ferry.”

Paddling on the Saluda River

Two differently described routes provide orientation for active days. The central Saluda River route from Chappells Highway to Higgins Bridge begins at the Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp. It follows predominantly calm water with small rapids through a rural, sparsely developed section of the Saluda River. The paddling route from Buzzard's Roost to Chappells Highway also ends at the Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp and begins immediately below Buzzard's Roost Dam. Calm water predominates there as well, with some shallow rapids added.

The starting and ending points help you plan if you want to decide on the direction of your paddling trip in advance. The Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp has a large parking lot. It can be reached via a road that runs about 0.3 miles south of the river. No further details can be inferred from the route information, so for specific planning you should take the intended section and its respective launch and take-out points into account.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for a vacation rental in Chappells, you can first decide whether the town’s history or the Saluda River should be the focus of your stay. Those interested in culture can turn their attention to the two historic houses, former town names, and visible brick remains. Those who prefer spending time on the water can base their accommodation search on the described paddling routes and the Chappells Hwy Bridge Boat Ramp. For more travel ideas, you can also visit the pages for Newberry and Little Mountain.

For the higher-level travel overview: Newberry County.