Brad Milford

STARR — Take S.C. 81 south from Anderson for a few miles until you start to see gently rolling fields of fescue and grain, pasturelands seamed out with Southern pine, cedar and majestic oaks. You will come across a nice lighted sign welcoming you to a quaint little spot on the map that I like to call home — Starr, S.C.

The landscape is highlighted by many old and historic homes and properties, which give the passerby a glimpse into Starr’s rich history. It was a hub of activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Buildings such as a train station, a bank, a cotton gin, a drugstore, a post office and several general stores lined a dirt street now called Professor Brown Road.

Heavily influenced by Christianity, the area had several churches, many of which are still open today, although mostly shells and remnants of the other old features remain. The strong emphasis on family, community and faith is alive and well. Many of the original descendants and their families still call this area home.

We now have a nice park, a new town hall, a new post office, good roads, a great school system, a state-of-the-art recreation facility, a top-notch fire department, many small businesses and, yes, even a new stoplight!

However, our greatest asset remains unchanged: our people. Many great volunteers keep this town moving in the right direction. This is a great place for anyone to live or raise a family. The small hometown atmosphere has not been lost over time. This is still a place where people know and care for their neighbors.

I truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to live in a place like this. Take a little drive and see for yourself. Slow down, roll your windows down, and if you are lucky you might just get a chance to feel what it is like to live in a town like Starr.

Brad Milford is a Starr resident and the owner of Fresh Choice Market & Deli in Anderson.