Anderson is a city located in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. It is the county seat of Anderson County. The area has a mixture of landmarks including log cabins and mansions and is surrounded by lakes and rivers. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was named for General Robert Anderson, a Revolutionary War hero. http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp http://www.cityofandersonsc.com/about_the_city/index.html

During the Industrial Revolution, the area became a leader in hydroelectric power, earning it the nickname "The Electric City." In 2000, Anderson was recognized by the National Civic League as an All-America City. This distinction is given to communities that have used grassroots efforts to solve civic problems through a variety of resources. One of Anderson's efforts is a community health initiative that provides free healthcare to people who are unable to pay.http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp

In the mid-1700s, General Anderson came to the area to assist his friend, Andrew Pickens, in surveying the land. It was once owned by the Cherokees, who had given it to the English colony. The land that would become Anderson County was settled by farmers of Scot-Irish and English descent. Slave labor was not used on the farms in this area.http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp

The history of Anderson can be traced to 1790. At that time, the area was known as the Pendleton District, with the village of Pendleton as the seat of government. In 1826, the district was split into what became Anderson and Pickens counties. The city of Anderson was founded in December 1826 and was incorporated by the state legislature in 1833.http://www.cityofandersonsc.com/about_the_city/index.html http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp http://www.visitanderson.com/relocation-info/history.aspx

Anderson had many summer homes that were owned by wealthy families from the coastal part of the state. Many of these homes are now historical museums. Anderson's historic district is comprised of a 16-block area that includes the Anderson County Courthouse, the Confederate Monument on the square, and a 1764 Revolutionary War Cannon.http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp

In the 19th century, Anderson's economy shifted to manufacturing due to the boom from the Industrial Revolution. Anderson County is home to South Carolina's oldest active cotton mill, built in 1838. William Whitner, an Anderson engineer, came up with ways to transmit hydroelectric power to operate mills throughout the county. http://www.visitanderson.com/relocation-info/history.aspx http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp<ref>

Anderson lies in the northwest corner of South Carolina on the Piedmont Plateau. The city is in the geographic center of the county and has a land area of approximately 14 square miles. Anderson County lies midway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. It is located at 34° 30' 11" N latitude and 82° 39' 1" W longitude.http://www.travelmath.com/city/Anderson,+SC http://www.cityofandersonsc.com/about_the_city/index.html

• Anderson County Museum — Houses exhibits that detail the history of the Anderson area.http://www.andersoncountysc.org/web/Museum_00.asp
• Electric City Playhouse — Non-profit theater that presents plays, musicals and fundraisers.http://www.ecplayhouse.com/about.html
• William A. Floyd Amphitheater — Outdoor concert facility that can seat over 15,000 people in terrace grassed seating.
• Balloons Over Anderson Hot Air Balloon Festival — An annual event that provides rides in hot air balloons and an arts and crafts fair.http://www.balloonsoveranderson.org/index.html
• Library Hall Inn — A refurbished antebellum house that is now a restaurant and bed and breakfast.http://www.andersonscchamber.com/community/index.asp

• Shaun Ellis — NFL football playerhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=2143
• Jessica Stroup — Actress who plays Erin Silver on the CW television series 90210http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1888211/
• James Lawrence Orr — Former governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Speaker of the Househttp://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=O000104
• James Michael Tyler — Actor who played Gunther on Friendshttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0878837/
• Larry Nance — former NBA playerhttp://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nancela01.html
• Guy Davenport — Writer, poet and critichttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59824-2005Jan8.html