The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum stands at the site of the world's first railroad junction. By 1833, Branchville was part of the world's longest railroad, which ran 136 miles from Charleston to Hamburg. (Hamburg was located in Aiken County but no longer exists).


Several years later, a route was established between Branchville and Columbia, making Branchville a junction. The train depot was heavily damaged by a fire in 1995, but it has since been restored as a museum. It houses a replica of The Best Friend of Charleston, a steam locomotive which carried passengers en route from Charleston to Hamburg, passing through Branchville. It made its first trip on December 25, 1830, and was received with much excitement.

To schedule a tour of the museum, call Branchville's Town Hall at 803-274-8820.

SCIWAY thanks photographer Lamar Nix of Seabrook for submitting this amazing picture!

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