The mountains surrounding Pumpkintown have always been shrouded in mystery. Long before hiking trails, state parks, and scenic overlooks brought visitors to the area, local residents told stories of strange creatures roaming the deep forests of the Blue Ridge foothills. Among the most enduring of these legends is Bigfoot. Known by many names, including Sasquatch,…
Before Table Rock became South Carolina’s most visited mountain park, Carrick Creek was already carving its way through the Blue Ridge. Today thousands of visitors cross its bridges and admire its waterfalls, but few know the creek’s role in the history of Table Rock State Park.
Long before Highway 178 and the Foothills Trail, travelers crossed the mountains near Sassafras Mountain on the Emory Gap Toll Road. Portions of this forgotten route still survive today, hidden beneath one of South Carolina’s most famous hiking trails.
Nestled beneath the shadow of Table Rock, Pumpkintown may seem like a quiet rural community tucked away in the foothills. Yet for generations, the landscape itself helped make Pumpkintown a natural crossroads where routes from Pickens, Table Rock, Cleveland, Dacusville, and the surrounding valleys came together.
A forgotten wagon wheel discovered on a wooded ridge overlooking Table Rock reveals a surprising truth about the Upstate foothills. Long before the forests returned, these hills were home to farms, pastures, orchards, and families who worked the land beneath the shadow of the mountains.
Built in 1918 as Oolenoy School, the Oolenoy Community Center has been the heart of the Oolenoy Valley for generations. From educating local children to hosting community events and the annual Pumpkin Festival, this historic landmark continues to preserve the rich heritage of Pumpkintown and the surrounding foothills.
Built in 1918 as Oolenoy School, the Oolenoy Community Center has been the heart of the Oolenoy Valley for generations. From educating local children to hosting community events and the annual Pumpkin Festival, this historic landmark continues to preserve the rich heritage of Pumpkintown and the surrounding foothills.
For generations, residents of Pumpkintown and the South Carolina Upstate have reported sightings of mysterious large cats in the mountains. Are mountain lions really roaming the forests around Table Rock and Jocassee, or is it simply another local legend? We explore the evidence, the sightings, and the mystery that refuses to disappear.
Located at the western end of the Doodle Trail, Pickens Doodle Park combines railroad history, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly attractions. With a train-themed playground, historic railroad exhibits, free parking, and direct access to one of the Upstate’s most popular trails, it is a must-visit destination in downtown Pickens.
From Cherokee chiefs and Revolutionary War heroes to natural springs, mountain legends, and pioneer families, many of the names found around Pumpkintown have fascinating origins. Discover the stories behind some of the most recognizable names in the Oolenoy Valley.