Garrison: a visionary for three counties

The long-time state senator from Denver Downs is being called a visionary for helping shape the tri-counties. While Ed Garrison represented Anderson County in the legislature, he had a vision to promote neighboring Oconee and Pickens counties. And Vicki Fletcher says nowhere is that more evident than in Garrison’s work to create South Carolina’s first regional tourism and historic preservation office—known today as the Pendleton District. Garrison died Sunday at the age of 91. Fletcher, executive director of the Pendleton District Commission, also notes Garrison’s work in agriculture, forestry and natural resources. The Garrison farmstead, Denver Downs Farm, is one of South Carolina’s premier agri-tourism sites and is listed on the National Register of Historic Place.