The Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum first came to prominence when it served as home to John Overton, an extremely wealthy individual in the late 1700?s till the early 1800?s. Besides being a Supreme Court Judge in the state, he was also known for being one of President Andrew Jackson?s advisors as well as for being an immensely successful land speculator, banker, and plantation owner. Overton?s house was built in 1799 and underwent several changes until the 1950?s.

The land where the Overton House stood also served as a burial ground for Native Americans more than 600 years ago. Besides that, slavery was also a huge part of the land?s history. In the 1920?s, the property came to the possession of Dickensons, who were Overton?s descendants and the ones who successfully converted the house into a breeding farm for Arabians.