Hitchcock Stables

City Council Meeting     2/10/25 Hitchcock Barns

When was the last time that Aiken was mentioned in the London Times or the NYT? 

Here’s what the NYT reported 1901:  Within three years of purchase of the forest, Hitchcock and Whitney transferred the property to a board of trustees to be used in perpetuity for sports in Aiken, SC

The London Times reported “The Aiken Hunt was founded in 1890 by the Hitchcock family and took place in their woods. It is the fastest and most formidable drag hunt in America”.

The London times reported in 1930 Aiken native Tommy Hitchcock led the American polo team to international victory. “Captain Hitchcock was everywhere; The Britons couldn’t keep the ball away from him”

The NYT reported regularly on Aiken native Tommy Hitchcock as a polo player and a war hero. With headlines like: “Hitchcock taken unhurt: Word reaches relatives that he is not wounded in combat” and “Hitchcock walked 100 miles in Escape from the Germans guided only by a small compass” and “Major Tommy Hitchcock predicts the P-51 to be the best US fighter plane.”

How many Aiken natives do we know that won an Olympic silver medal, played polo as a 10 goal player for 18 years, attracted 40,000 spectators to a single match, escaped after being shot down by the Germans in WW1 were awarded a gold star in WW2 and were the inspiration for a character in the Great Gatsby?

Tommy Hitchcock was considered the best polo player of all time. His team won the silver medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics.  He and his father flew fighter planes in WW1 and Tommy was he was killed while flying in England in WW2

The US Ambassador wrote that Tommy Hitchcock worked for the American war effort as aggressively as he played polo.

Tom Buchanan, F Scott Fitzgerald’s character in the Great Gatsby, was modeled on Tommy Hitchcock

In Aiken today we have Hitchcock Hardwoods, Rehab, Animal Hospital, Crossing, Parkway, healthcare, Plaza, and of course the jewel in Aiken’s crown the Hitchcock Woods, and we have one authentic stable yard that was designed built and used by the Hitchcock’s for almost 50 years.

Most of us know that in 1898 the Hitchcock’s and Whitneys bought 8000 acres just south of Aiken’s downtown that they gave to the citizens of Aiken in perpetuity as the Hitchcock Woods. 

What’s Aikens favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving morning?  The Aiken Hounds, founded by the Hitchcock’s in 1890, opening meet isn’t just a tradition for foxhunting enthusiasts but for our whole community. 

What’s one of the most beautiful, traditional, and loved horse shows in the US?  The Aiken Horse Show held each Spring in the Woods was started by the Hitchcock’s in 1916

What event brings 50,000 people to Aiken for Spring and Fall sport?  Thomas Hitchcock helped found the Aiken Steeplechase association in 1930

Thomas Hitchcock founded the Palmetto Golf Club in 1892 and built the Whitney barns, training track, racing stables and polo field that were later sold to Mr. Whitney.  All were put in trust for Aiken so they would be preserved for the future.

Now you have a decision to make, and it doesn’t just affect two high profile families.  You are setting a precedence for all future preservation in the horse district and in the historic district.  You will decide if the historic (some say iconic) Hitchcock racing stables and the Hitchcock family are an important part of Aiken’s history.

 You will vote on whether the stables do or do not add to the historical significance and whether they were built in an important time for the Aiken Historic District and whether they are associated with the lives of persons significant in history.          There is only one answer

Please consider the facts, the precedence you are establishing here, the law, the Design Review Boards Standards, and the Design Review Boards previous decision and do what’s right for ALL of Aiken citizens, not just a few. 

The Hitchcock’s gave so much that enriches our town, our daily lives and that truly makes Aiken unique.  Please vote to honor and protect their legacy, our horse district and our historic district.

The historic Hitchcock Racing Stables and Carriage Houses are irreplaceable.  The Hitchcock family gave Aiken much of its character and we still enjoy their generosity.  Our Aiken lifestyles, tourism, and so many important Aiken traditions were “gifted” to us by the Hitchcock family, and now we should work together to protect an important unique remaining part of their legacy.

RE: Jeffery Burden’s application on behalf of owners Tara and Charlie Bostwick to partially demolish the Historic Hitchcock Stables

TO:   Aiken Design Review Board, Aiken Planning Commission, Aiken City Council, Aiken Planning Department, Aiken City Manager

Dear Volunteers and City Employees,

I’m writing to express my thoughts and offer some potentially valuable resources regarding your upcoming decision on the designation of the historic Hitchcock Stables to the Aiken Historic Register, and the pending application to partially demolish the stables and completely demolition the carriage houses.  

There has been information printed, given and repeated that may be; seemingly irrelevant, seemingly incorrect, seemingly contradictory or confusing.  

However, when reviewing actual source materials such as the Aiken Municipal Code,  The Secretary of the Interior’s Standard for Rehabilitation, and the Aiken Historical Design Review Manual,  it is obvious to all that the historic Hitchcock Stables, the Hitchcock Family and the Bostwick family all have the significance, integrity and historic importance that is required for the remaining historic Hitchcock Racing Stables and Carriage Houses to be listed on the Aiken Historic Register.

A “Red Herring” is defined as a piece of information that is or is intended to be misleading or distracting.  We’ve been bombarded with this type of “information”.  Although the buyers and sellers and their agents, employees, friends and relations are likely to be good, generous, and kind people who have been potentially misunderstood and reportedly frustrated by this process, those issues have NO bearing on this designation. 

The Stables are either historically contributing or they are not. 

So, are they? 

Here’s a common definition:  A “historically contributing building” is a structure within a designated historic district that adds to the area’s historical significance through its architectural style, design, and connection to past events, meaning it plays a key role in telling the story of the district and is considered important to preserve as part of the overall historic character. 

If the Hitchcock racing stables and carriage houses do not meet this standard, what does?  You are setting a precedence here that doesn’t just affect two high profile families, but all of Aiken’s Horse District and Historic District forever.

Let’s stop listening to the “Red Herrings” and consider source material and facts.

The City of Aiken Municipal Code is a good place to start.  Here are the relevant sections:

CITY OF AIKEN MUNICIPLE CODE

CHAPTER 5 - OVERLAY DISTRICTS

Article 1.-General

5.1.1. - Purpose.

City Council may designate overlay districts which impose regulations in addition to the underlying zone or relax requirements imposed by the underlying zone when there is a special public interest which the underlying zone does not address. An overlay district promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of residents and the economic prosperity of the particular area as well as the entire City by protecting and enhancing the appearance of existing structures and the appearance of new structures.

5.1.2. - Applicability.

The standards and other specific provisions of this Ordinance shall apply within overlay districts including Historic Districts and to Historic Sites (Ord. 04142003A). Regulations applicable in an overlay district shall be governed by the Design Review Board. Whenever there is conflict between the regulations of the remainder of this Ordinance and this Chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.

Article 2.-Historic Overlay

Any property or structure listed on the Aiken Historic Register shall be subject to this

Article.5.2.2. - Designation to the Aiken Historic Register.

 A.  Initiation of Designations. Initiation of the proposed designation of Historic Sites (Ord. 04142003A) or Historic Districts to the Aiken Historic Register may be made by any member of the Board, any member of City Council, or a board or commission appointed by City Council, or an owner thereof. A request for designation shall be made on the appropriate application form provided by the Board and submitted to the Board for review and public hearing.  

B . Designation Criteria.

 For an Historic Site or Historic District (Ord. 04142003A) to be designated to the Aiken Historic Register, City Council MUST conclude that it:

1. Is significant in American, South Carolina, or Aiken history, architecture, archeology, engineering, or culture; and (Ord. 04142003A)

2. Has integrity of location, design, setting, materials, or workmanship that need to be protected or preserved and meets one or more of the following criteria:

a.  it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to history;

b.  it is associated with the lives of persons significant in history  

c.  it has distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of architecture or construction; represents the work of a master; possesses high artistic values; or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction 

If the Hitchcok Racing Stables and carriages houses do not meet these standards, what does?  You are setting a precedence here that will

If the Hitchcock Racing Stables and carriages houses do not meet these standards, what does?  You are setting a precedence here that will affect the Historic District and the Horse District forever.

 Here are some quotes that may justify the historic significance and integrity of design:

“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock, illustrious founders of Aiken’s Winter Colony built the stables in the early 1900's (1902) to accommodate their horses for polo, foxhunting, steeple chasing and carriage driving.  The seller’s father, and international sportsman, Pete Bostwick, purchased the property in the 1950's....”   Leading Aiken Realtor, Deidre Vaillancourt

“The Hitchcock Stables...is an iconic piece of Aiken’s history.”  Leading Aiken Realtor, Deirdre Vaillancourt

“...This is unique, this whole property my Father-in-law bought from the Hitchcock’s in 1941 when Mr. Hitchcock passed away.  He bought all of this, he bought the other side of the street, that is, that the original Mon Repos, (now demolished) the Squash Court and the Hitchcock grave, the original stables that the Hitchcock’s built for their family, we believe is somewhere in the woods.  Obviously, this is a very special property in the heart of Aiken.”  Tara Bostwick, Property Owner

“......These are not the main stables or the hunt stable, (so to speak) these are the race horse stables, they are arguably, well I guess the other ones are gone, (all demolished) but these are equally important and fairly unique in their construction.   Unlike so many of the other barns you see in Aiken which are traditional pole barns built with posts, these were built with the stall structure being load bearing.”         Jeff Burden, Agent for Buyer and Seller and respected expert who has also worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The following are quotes from my library of Aiken History:

“Under the Hitchcock’s’ stewardship Aiken transitioned from a health resort to a winter pleasure resort.  They built the Palmetto Club, which was as much a social venue as it was a golf club”    

 “In 1898 Thomas and Louise Hitchcock and William C Whitney made a joint purchase of 8,000 acres if pine forest just south of the downtown area.  It almost immediately became the center of sporting activities and is now the largest urban forest in the US. Whitney, the former Sec of the Navy under Grover Cleveland, had come to Aiken at the invitation of the Hitchcock’s’”

“Within 3 years of the purchase of the forest Hitchcock and Whitney decided to transfer the property to a board of trustees ...to be used in perpetuity for sports...The New York Times reported their decision in March 1901...”

“The Aiken Hunt was founded in the 1890's by the Hitchcock family and took place in their woods...Early drags were run at incredible speeds.  The London Times described them as” the fastest and most formidable drag in America” “Following Louise Hitchcock’s death, her children Thomas ” Tommy” Hitchcock Jr. and Helen Hitchcock Clark took steps o preserve the woods their mother so loved.”

“The annual Aiken Horse Show was first started in 1916 by the Hitchcocks “Some of the nation’s best riders and polo players experienced their first competition at the Aiken Horse Show.  The young boy in the foreground of this phot is Pete Bostwick...who became one of the most recognized names in steeplechase training and a member of the Nation Racing Hall of Fame”

“Dolly von Stade Bostwick was as active in the horse community as her polo champion husband, Pete Bostwick.... Mrs. Bostwick was a Master of the Aiken Hounds who’s kennels now bear her name”

“Steeplechase got it’s foothold in Aiken when the Hitchcock’s built a steeplechase training facility on their property in the early 1900's and began training horses imported from England” “Thomas Hitchcock helped found the Aiken Steeplechase Association in 1930” “Aiken is home to many steeplechase legends, including Thomas Hitchcock, considered the Dean of American Steeplechase”

“Thomas Hitchcock Jr captained the American International (polo) Team in 1930...The London Times wrote” Captain Hitchcock was everywhere.  The Britons could not send the ball away from him”

“...HG” Pete” Bostwick was an 8-goal player who gained fame as a steeplechase jockey, horse trainer, and court tennis player”

“The Hitchcock Foundation was created to accept and hold the annual, successive transfer of the family’s (Hitchcock) property, area by area, with the intent that the woods benefit the residents and citizens of Aiken for generations to come” Stories of the Rich and Famous Aikens Winter Colony in the Gilded Age David Lavernier

“...Mr. Whitney purchased the Whitney Track and polo field, which Mr. Hitchcock and Mr. Frank Hitchcock had already made, but did not own, and he and Mr. Hitchcock together bought the golf links, which with the racetrack and polo field and racing stables were put in a trust for Aiken” Gran, A Personal Recollection by Julian Peabody

“To this girl (Lulie) who later became Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock, Aiken owes its Golden Era, which lasted more than 50 years” “Her (Mrs. Hitchcock’s) son, Tommy, is considered to have been the outstanding polo player of all time”

“During WWI Tommy and his father were both pilots-said to be the youngest and the oldest flyers in the service of any country.  Tommy was shot down in France but survived and escaped to Switzerland” “He flew again in WWII and met his death in England in 1944.  As a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, he had organized his own squadron.  He was killed while testing a P-51 which proved to be defective” Heroes, Horses and High Society Aiken from 1540 Kay Lawrence

Below are quotes taken from the Design Review Board Design Review Manual.  This is the standard set by our city and must be applied equally in every circumstance.

“Because Aiken is a unique place, City Council created the “Aiken Historic Register” 

“Old tennis courts, swimming pools and other outdoor recreational structures and significant spaces are found or once existed on historic properties in Aiken.  Examples of these that survive are important to Aiken’s history as a resort community and should be preserved. 

“Aiken owes much of its distinctive character and its growth and prosperity in the late 1800'and early 1900's to its gradual evolution from a health resort into a winter sports center.  Many, but certainly not all, of Aiken’s historic buildings are associated with Aiken’s history as a winter resort, and they include” cottages”, recreational facilities such as squash courts and indoor tennis courts, stables and outbuildings. 

Many of the buildings that were constructed for the winter colony were designed by Willis Irvin, Julian Peabody, Thomas Hastings, Scroggs & Ewing and Hoppin & Koen.  Revival styles, especially Colonial Revival are prevalent, but Aiken had an unusually large number of houses in the Shingle Style.” 

Because demolition and relocation cause irreversible losses and have the most significant impact of any changes, Demolition is irreversible change that is not appropriate for historic structures.  Complete or partial demolition of a structure that contributes to the character of an Aiken Historic Register District or Site shall be avoided. 

Please consider these source material derived facts and Aiken’s established priorities while making decisions about an “iconic” piece of American history.  The historic Hitchcock Racing Stables and Carriage Houses are irreplaceable.  The Hitchcock family gave Aiken much of its character and we still enjoy their generosity.  Our Aiken lifestyles, tourism, and so many important Aiken traditions were “gifted” to us by the Hitchcock family, and now we should work together to protect an important unique remaining part of their legacy.

Sincerely,

Lisa Smith

City of Aiken Resident