User:Bigskybill

Bill Fitzpatrick
I enjoy writing, photography, travel and history, and these interests were the motivations behind my "Magnificent National Historic Register Landmarks of South Carolina Project," described below. Until I began this effort in the fall of 2011, I had little appreciation for our state's incredible history. Like many, our ongoing fascination with the Civil War Era had obscured my vision to that which had occurred in South Carolina before, and after.

National Historic Register Landmarks of South Carolina Project
In October of 2011, I left my Taylors, South Carolina home and drove south on Highway 25, in the general direction of Greenwood. My goal that morning was to shoot a few photographs in the Cedar Springs Historic District. My home state has over 1400 Historic Register Landmarks, a National Park Service classification that includes historically noteworthy cemeteries, churches, homes, buildings, and districts, such as Cedar Springs. I eventually made it to Cedar Springs that morning, but not without a series of frustrating experiences. Still, the magnificence of the landmarks resonated.

The following week, I again visited a few Historic Register Landmarks, this time in nearby Spartanburg County. When I again experienced the same set of historic highs and travel lows, I was hooked. I wanted to see all of our state's Historic Register Landmarks. After much planning, I began this strange, unexpected and perhaps unique odyssey in December, 2011. As of August, 2012, I have visited all of the 400+ Historic Register Landmarks in the 15 county Upstate region of South Carolina. I expect that by February, 2013, I will have visited and photographed our state's other 1000 landmarks. Every dusty mile spent among our treasuries, ranging from the days of the Cherokees to the decline of the textile era, has been worth the effort. Several weeks into the journey, I decide to create a resource for those who might wish to visit even a select portion of our Historic Register Landmarks, one that would simplify travel to the landmarks, as well as provide "portable information." I am delighted (and relieved!) to note that I am partially completed this part of the journey.

Volume 1 of my three volume eBook series, "The Magnificent Historic Register Landmarks of Upstate South Carolina" is now available on Amazon. I anticipate completing Volumes 2 and 3, the Midlands and Coastal regions, by the spring of 2013.

Books

 * The Magnificent National Historic Register Landmarks of Upstate South Carolina, Bellingham & Bern Publishing (2012)
 * Destination: India, Destiny: Unknown, A Three Week Journey Beyond the Taj and Behind the Symbols, Bellingham & Bern Publishing (2010)
 * Bottoms Up, America!, Bellingham & Bern Publishing (1996)

Magazines

 * Columnist ("Americana") for Khabar Magazine, Atlanta, Georgia (2012-
 * Columnist for Hospitality Upgrade Magazine, Atlanta, Georgia (2002-2005)

Photography

 * Dubrovnik from the Rooftop (Permanent Display, Furman University Library)
 * Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai (Multiple awards)
 * Gdnask Park Bench (Multiple awards)
 * Newport 4th of July (Award winner, Newport Life Magazine)
 * Lando School House (Award winner, Campbell House, Pinehurst, NC Fine Arts Contest)