On the National Register of Historic Places and one of the largest historic districts in the nation, Pendleton attracted the well-to-do from the Lowcountry of South Carolina as well as upland farmers. The Village Green remains a lively business district of shops and restaurants and the site for many events, including Pendleton Spring Jubilee, a juried arts and crafts festival each April. Farmers' Hall, which stands on the southwest corner of the Green, was begun in 1826 as the District's Court House, but the seat of government was moved before the building was completed. Local farmers completed the hall as the Farmer's Society Meeting Hall, and it has been in use by that organization since its completion. It was at a meeting in the Hall that John C. Calhoun's, son-in-law Thomas G. Clemson, and the Farmer's Society first conceived the idea of a land grant university to train farmers in cutting edge farming technology. Thus, Clemson University was born.
On one corner of the Green is Hunter's Store, the heart of commerce in 1850 and now home to the Pendleton District Historical, Recreational and Tourism Commission, offering both the largest collection of local history and genealogy north of the city of Columbia, and a Visitor Information Center for area sites and attractions. Group tours of the Pendleton Historic District begin at Hunter's Store. Call to schedule group tours.