As Anderson County marks its 200th anniversary, two Anderson University professors helped chronicle some of that history in a new book that explores the area’s story that began in the Cherokee Nation and concludes with its part in the rapidly growing South Carolina Upstate region.
The book, titled 200 Years in Anderson County, contains chapters from Professor Emeritus Dr. Joyce Wood and Dr. Redunda Noble.
Dr. Noble authored a chapter titled “The Legacy of Church Street: The Spirit of Black Entrepreneurship in Anderson, South Carolina,” and Dr. Wood authored a chapter titled “History of Education in Anderson County: 1826-2026.”
Dr. Wood served as a history professor at Anderson University from 1982 until her retirement in 2019. She also authored Anderson University-The Campus History Series, an illustrated history of Anderson University published by Arcadia Publishing. She has also authored several children’s books and is a member of the Anderson Artists Guild.
Dr. Noble serves as an adjunct professor of history in the Department of History and Political Science at the Anderson University College of Arts and Sciences. She also authored Booker T. Washington and the Bible: How the Tuskegee Leader Shared His Faith and Envisioned a Better America. She is a member of the Anderson County American Revolution 250th Committee and is also the wife of AU Vice President for Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family Dr. James Noble.
A comprehensive history of Anderson County, 200 Years in Anderson County covers the county’s backstory of Cherokee history and becoming part of the Pendleton District in the backcountry of colonial South Carolina. Also included are chapters on local churches, a history of education, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the evolution of county government, law enforcement over the years, the textile industry, railroads, growth spurred by Lake Hartwell and I-85, hospitals and medical care, sports, area nonprofits, and stories devoted to Anderson’s Greek and Jewish heritage.
A book launch—a ticketed event—is planned for October 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Anderson County Museum, 202 East Greenville Street in Anderson. Visit this link for information on ordering the book and obtaining tickets.