Aiken, SC — April 2026 — The Aiken Land Conservancy (ALC) is pleased to announce the protection of two significant properties in Aiken County: the McGovern Tract and the Keadle Bridge Tract. Together, these projects safeguard important natural habitats, historic resources, and critical conservation corridors in some of the region’s most rapidly changing landscapes.
In early April, ALC completed a conservation easement on the 21.2-acre McGovern Tract, located just northeast of downtown Aiken. The property is home to the fully restored Dawson-Vanderhorst House, which dates to 1785 and is the oldest known standing home in Aiken County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976, the house represents an important link to the area’s early history.
In addition to its historic significance, the property includes 0.3 miles of scenic roadside frontage and a 4.7-acre stand of mature longleaf pine—an increasingly rare ecosystem in this part of the state. The conservation of the McGovern Tract ensures that both its cultural and natural features will be preserved for generations to come. ALC extends its sincere appreciation to landowners Carolyn and Jay McGovern for their dedication to restoring the home and protecting the property, as well as to the South Carolina Conservation Bank for its financial support of the project.
ALC also recently acquired the 431-acre Keadle Bridge Tract, a property of exceptional ecological importance located within the Shaws Creek/South Fork of the Edisto River Strategic Focal Area. This tract represents a major step forward in establishing a connected corridor of protected land between Aiken State Park and the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve.
The Keadle Bridge Tract features approximately 1.2 miles of frontage along the South Fork of the Edisto River, along with a rich diversity of habitats including an Atlantic white cedar swamp, intact floodplains, tributaries, and stands of old-growth bald cypress. These ecosystems support a wide array of wildlife, including the prothonotary warbler, dwarf waterdog, and several state-listed species. The property also provides important buffering for aquatic habitats, including known striped bass spawning areas within the river system.
The long-term vision for the Keadle Bridge Tract is to transfer the property to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, where it will be incorporated into adjacent protected lands and managed for conservation and public benefit.
The protection of these two properties reflects ALC’s continued focus on preserving the natural and historic landscapes that define Aiken County.