Every summer, bright orange daylilies transform the roadsides of Pumpkintown and the Table Rock foothills into ribbons of color. Most people admire their beauty, but few realize these flowers may be living reminders of forgotten homes, farms, and communities that once dotted the landscape. Discover the history behind the Upstate’s famous “ditch lilies” and why they continue blooming long after the people who planted them are gone.
Discover the Ecusta Trail, a former railroad transformed into one of North Carolina’s newest outdoor destinations. Learn the history, best stops, bike rentals, and why this scenic Hendersonville trail is worth the drive from Pumpkintown.
Were there really gold and silver mines hidden in the mountains around Table Rock, or are the stories just local legends? From documented gold discoveries near Pickens and Cane Creek to the mysterious lost mine of Tamassee and the glittering fool’s gold found in area creeks, the Table Rock region has a fascinating history of prospectors, treasure hunters, and unanswered questions. Join us as we separate fact from folklore and explore the lost mines, forgotten discoveries, and enduring mysteries of the Upstate mountains.
Most visitors know Poinsett Bridge as South Carolina’s oldest surviving bridge. Few realize it carried traffic for more than 135 years and was once part of an ambitious highway project designed to connect Charleston to the mountains. Here’s the forgotten story behind one of the Upstate’s most remarkable landmarks.
Hidden deep in the woods of northern Greenville County, Poinsett Bridge has earned a reputation as one of South Carolina’s most haunted places. From tales of a murdered stonemason and mysterious shadow figures to unexplained lights beneath the historic arch, discover the legends, ghost stories, and local folklore that have surrounded this 206-year-old landmark for generations.
Poinsett Bridge remains closed while restoration work continues beyond the original reopening date. We recently visited the site to see the progress and take a closer look at the preservation efforts underway on South Carolina’s oldest surviving bridge.
From Pumpkintown and Sugar Tit to Nine Times, Ninety Six, Possum Kingdom, and Tigerville, South Carolina is filled with communities whose names tell remarkable stories. Explore the history, folklore, and local legends behind 30 of the state’s strangest place names.
In 2025, wildfire swept across the slopes of Table Rock Mountain, creating dramatic scenes visible throughout Pumpkintown and northern Pickens County. Discover the story of the fire, the response, and how South Carolina’s most famous mountain is recovering.
For more than 150 years, Griffin Baptist Church has served the communities of Pumpkintown and northern Pickens County. Located along the Pumpkintown Highway with Glassy Mountain in the background, the church remains a longstanding landmark in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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.