The Bell Beside the Grave: A Strange Reminder of the Fear of Being Buried Alive
A tiny bronze bell beside a massive grave in Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery tells a strange story about the 19th-century fear of being buried alive.
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Lindsey Graham Comes Home: The Senator from Central Is Laid to Rest Beside His Parents
Lindsey Graham’s career carried him from a small-town childhood in Central, South Carolina, to the United States Senate. After his death in 2026, he returned home to be buried beside his parents at Mount Zion Cemetery.
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Old Stone Church in Clemson, SC: History, Graves, Legends & Visitor Guide
Old Stone Church in Clemson is more than a historic building. Its cemetery holds the grave of Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens, the mysterious Cherokee grave of Osenappa, and the coin-covered grave behind one of the Upstate’s strangest legends. Explore more than 200 years of history, tragedy, folklore, and local stories hidden among its stones.
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This Day in 1849, a South Carolina Newspaper Called Pickens District “The Niagara of the South”
Published on July 28, 1849, the Keowee Courier described Pickens District as one of the healthiest and most beautiful places in America, praising Table Rock, Whitewater Falls, and the region’s crystal-clear rivers while encouraging families to move to the South Carolina mountains.
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Hagood Mill Banjo Extravaganza: Complete Visitor Guide
Planning to attend the Hagood Mill Banjo Extravaganza? This complete visitor’s guide covers everything you need to know, from live Appalachian music and traditional crafts to the historic gristmill, Native American petroglyphs, camping, parking, and insider tips for making the most of one of Pickens County’s most unique summer festivals.
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This Week in Upstate History: Pickens County Faces Reconstruction July 13, 1867
Step back to July 18, 1857, and discover what life was really like in Pickens District through the pages of the Keowee Courier. From deadly railroad construction accidents and heartbreaking local tragedies to the rise of Florence Nightingale and the promise of the Blue Ridge Railroad, this fascinating newspaper captures a community on the brink of enormous change just four years before the Civil War.
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This Week in Upstate History: What Was Making Headlines in Pickens District on July 18, 1857?
Step back to July 18, 1857, and discover what life was really like in Pickens District through the pages of the Keowee Courier. From deadly railroad construction accidents and heartbreaking local tragedies to the rise of Florence Nightingale and the promise of the Blue Ridge Railroad, this fascinating newspaper captures a community on the brink of enormous change just four years before the Civil War.
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What an 1860 Census Map Reveals About Slavery in the South Carolina Upstate
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.
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The Surprising History of Easley’s Iconic Clock Tower
The Easley Clock Tower is more than a downtown landmark—it’s a piece of the city’s history. Discover how a clock that survived the 1924 City Hall fire became the centerpiece of Old Market Square, the story behind the hidden time capsule, and why this iconic tower continues to be the heart of downtown Easley.
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The Hidden Trout Pond at Jones Gap State Park: A Piece of South Carolina History
Hidden beside the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park is a forgotten piece of South Carolina history. The historic trout pond, built in 1931 as part of the Cleveland Fish Hatchery, helped stock mountain streams across the Upstate for more than three decades. Today, visitors can explore the beautifully preserved stone pond, learn about the trout raised here, and discover how this quiet corner of the park played a major role in conserving South Carolina’s trout fisheries.
