An 1861 map based on the 1860 U.S. Census offers a fascinating look at slavery in the South Carolina Upstate. While coastal counties were dominated by large plantations, Pickens, Greenville, and other Upstate counties followed a very different path, shaped by geography, agriculture, and smaller farms.
Discover the surprising history behind the narrow gap between two historic buildings on Main Street in Pickens, South Carolina. Learn about Folger & Thornley, early merchants, Sanborn maps, and how downtown evolved over more than 140 years.
Step back more than 230 years and discover one of Greenville County’s oldest surviving homes. From its beginnings as a frontier log cabin in 1793 to its transformation into an elegant Greek Revival home, the John H. Goodwin House tells the story of early Upstate settlement, stagecoach travel, plantation life, and historic preservation. Alongside the picturesque Goodwin Chapel and historic store, this Highway 11 landmark offers one of the region’s most fascinating glimpses into South Carolina’s past.
From Cherokee towns along the Keowee River to the railroad depots of Easley and the textile mills that powered generations of families, Pickens County’s story is one of resilience, growth, and transformation. Explore how this corner of the South Carolina foothills evolved from a frontier wilderness into one of the Upstate’s most treasured destinations—where history, mountains, lakes, and small-town traditions continue to shape life today.
Most people have driven past the Pickens County Courthouse countless times, but few know the stories hidden behind its brick walls and white columns. From the town’s early beginnings to surprising architectural details and decades of local history, discover ten fascinating facts about one of Pickens County’s most recognizable landmarks. You may never look at the courthouse the same way again.
Colorful quilt blocks are quietly telling the stories of Pickens County’s people, businesses, and history. Discover how the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail turns ordinary buildings into pieces of living art—and why the quilt hanging at Bivens Hardware is more than just decoration.
Before it was called Table Rock, the Cherokee knew this mountain as Sah-ka-na-ga — “The Great Blue Hills of God.” Discover the fascinating Cherokee history, legends, and meaning behind one of South Carolina’s most iconic landmarks.
A roadside marker in Whiteside Cove tells the story of Barak Norton, one of the area’s earliest settlers. Discover the history of the Norton family, the historic church beside the marker, and the legacy that continues more than 150 years later.
Long days, hard work, and strong faith shaped everyday life for the families who called these mountains home. Many balanced mill jobs with farming, built homes with their own hands, raised large gardens, and relied on neighbors when times were tough. From gravel roads and country churches to front porches where stories were shared at sunset, life moved at a different pace. Take a step back in time and discover how a generation of hardworking South Carolinians helped build the communities we know today.
Before Lake Keowee became one of South Carolina’s most beautiful lakes, the valley below was home to Cherokee towns, frontier history, family farms, and generations of local residents. Discover the forgotten world that still rests beneath the water.