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In the late 19th century, Aiken, South Carolina, USA, gained fame as a wintering spot for wealthy people from the Northeast. The Aiken Winter Colony was established by
Thomas Hitchcock, Sr. Thomas Hitchcock (23 November 1860 – 29 September 1941) was one of the leading American polo players during the latter part of the 19th century and a Hall of Fame horse trainer and owner known as the father of American steeplechase hor ...
and
William C. Whitney William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and a prominent descendant of the John Whitney family. He served as Secretary of the Navy in the first administration of President Grover Clev ...
. Over the years, Aiken became a winter home for many famous and notable people, including: *
George H. Bostwick George Herbert "Pete" Bostwick (August 14, 1909 – January 13, 1982) was an American court tennis player, a steeplechase jockey and horse trainer, and an eight-goal polo player. Biography He was born in Bisby Lake, New York to Marie L. Stokes an ...
*
James B. Eustis James Biddle Eustis (August 27, 1834September 9, 1899) was a United States senator from Louisiana who served as President Grover Cleveland, Cleveland's U.S. Ambassador to France, ambassador to France. Early life Born in New Orleans, he was the ...
*
Madeleine Astor Madeleine Talmage Astor (''née'' Force; later Dick and Fiermonte; June 19, 1893 – March 27, 1940) was an American socialite and a survivor of the . She was the second wife and widow of businessman John Jacob Astor IV. Early life Madeleine ...
* William Kissam Vanderbilt *
Eugene Grace Eugene Gifford Grace (August 27, 1876 – July 7, 1960) was the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945, and chairman of the board from 1945 until his retirement in 1957. He also served as president of the American Iron and Steel ...
(president of
Bethlehem Steel The Bethlehem Steel Corporation was an American steelmaking company headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For most of the 20th century, it was one of the world's largest steel producing and shipbuilding companies. At the height of its succe ...
) *
Allan Pinkerton Allan J. Pinkerton (August 25, 1819 – July 1, 1884) was a Scottish cooper, abolitionist, detective, and spy, best known for creating the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in the United States and his claim to have foiled a plot in 1861 to a ...
*
W. Averell Harriman William Averell Harriman (November 15, 1891July 26, 1986), better known as Averell Harriman, was an American Democratic politician, businessman, and diplomat. The son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman, he served as Secretary of Commerce un ...
*
Seymour H. Knox II Seymour Horace Knox II (September 1, 1898 – September 27, 1990) was a Buffalo, New York, philanthropist and polo player. The son of wealthy businessman Seymour H. Knox, he owned a palatial home designed by C. P. H. Gilbert.Dorothy Knox Goodyear Rogers, heir to the Woolworth fortune, *
Devereux Milburn Devereux Milburn (September 19, 1881 – August 15, 1942) was an American champion polo player in the early to mid twentieth century. He was one of a group of Americans known as the Big Four in international polo, winning the Westchester Cup six ...
, * C. Oliver and *
Hope Goddard Iselin Edith Hope Goddard Iselin (January 17, 1868 – April 5, 1970) was an American heiress and sportswoman who was the first American woman to compete as a crew member in the America's Cup yacht race. She also owned thoroughbred racehorses. Early ...
. The roots of the Winter Colony reach back to Celestine E. Eustis. She was the guardian of her niece Louise and brought her to Aiken for visits. Louise, who married the New York financier
Thomas Hitchcock, Sr. Thomas Hitchcock (23 November 1860 – 29 September 1941) was one of the leading American polo players during the latter part of the 19th century and a Hall of Fame horse trainer and owner known as the father of American steeplechase hor ...
, joined with him to establish the roots of the Winter Colony. Hitchcock brought his wealthy friend
William C. Whitney William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and a prominent descendant of the John Whitney family. He served as Secretary of the Navy in the first administration of President Grover Clev ...
of the prominent Whitney family to Aiken to enjoy the climate and the loamy clay soil which was perfect for their stables of horses. As a result, the formations of the Winter Colony were established.City of Aiken, South Carolina: Aiken History
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References

{{Reflist Aiken, South Carolina