Chartered in 1873 and incorporated in 1874, the City of Seneca gained its name from the nearby Seneca River and a historic Cherokee village. Once a bustling railroad town, Seneca experienced its ups and downs over the past one and a half-century and has now grown into a beautiful city filled with fine restaurants, unique boutique stores, charming antique shops, and exciting activities all year long.
In this Our Town episode, Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander shared with us the history of Seneca and its recent economic development, particularly in the downtown area. Three local business owners, Mary Tannery of M. Tannery and Sons, Leslie Schweitzer of 313 Café, and Ivy Ellerby of Elements by Eastern Design, introduced their businesses respectively and revealed the reason they had chosen Seneca to open their entities.
They also expressed their appreciation for the support they have received from the city government and the community. In addition, Seneca Light and Water Plant Superintendent Steven Fletcher presented the plant’s facilities and its services. The city’s Event Coordinator Riley Johnson detailed the activities organized by the city, such as Jazz on the Alley, Cruzin’s on Main, Seneca Fest, and Christmas Lighting, just to name a few.
Seneca City Administrator Scott Moulder reviewed the city’s development progress and envisioned an even brighter prospect for Seneca in the future. These Seneca residents, whether they are city administrators or business owners, or managers, have shown great passion and enthusiasm in talking about their city. As several of them mentioned that “the biggest attraction of Seneca is its people,” they help us understand why Seneca has become a preferred destination of business, residence, and pleasure for so many, not only in the area but beyond the Upstate and beyond South Carolina.
