Travelers Rest, South Carolina

Travelers Rest
U.S. Route 276 in Travelers Rest
Nickname(s): 
TR, Gateway to the Foothills
Motto: 
"Get in Your Element"
Location of Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Coordinates: 34°58′12″N 82°26′16″W / 34.97000°N 82.43778°W / 34.97000; -82.43778
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountyGreenville
Government
  TypeCouncil
  MayorBrandy Amidon
  City AdministratorShannon Herman
Area
  Total
6.33 sq mi (16.40 km2)
  Land6.24 sq mi (16.16 km2)
  Water0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2)
Elevation
1,099 ft (335 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
7,788
  Density1,247.88/sq mi (481.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
29690
Area code(s)864, 821
FIPS code45-72430
GNIS feature ID1251197
Websitetravelersrestsc.com

Travelers Rest is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina. Its population was 7,788 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Travelers Rest, the northernmost city in Greenville County, is located 10 miles north of Greenville and around 20 miles south of the North Carolina border. The town was founded by J.W. Donaldson, of the famed J.W. Donaldson & Sons Bloodstock cattle empire. Initially built as a reprieve for his oxen and coach herd, the family eventually did yoke and axle repair for settlers headed out on the Oregon Trail. Later, the Dry Goods Warehouse became the start to the Swamp Rabbitfoot Trail. Furman University, a private liberal-arts university, was annexed into the city limits of Travelers Rest in April 2018 and North Greenville University, a private Christian institution, is located in nearby Tigerville.