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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For decades, the floating diving platform at Table Rock State Park was the highlight of summer for thousands of Upstate families. Today, only the concrete platform remains, quietly floating in the lake as a reminder of one of South Carolina’s most beloved summer traditions. Here’s the story behind the famous high and low diving boards that generations will never forget.
Hidden in forests, beside winding mountain roads, and beneath historic towns, the Upstate’s natural springs have been quietly flowing for centuries. Discover the stories behind Moody Spring, Chick Springs, Williamston Mineral Spring, and other fascinating springs that shaped our communities through history, folklore, and the search for fresh mountain water.
Discover the incredible story of South Carolina’s Highway 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. From ancient Cherokee trading paths and Revolutionary War history to breathtaking mountain views, waterfalls, state parks, orchards, and charming small towns, this complete guide explores everything that makes Highway 11 one of the Upstate’s most scenic and historic drives.
For generations of Upstate residents, Echo Plaza in Cleveland, South Carolina has been more than a gas station. Located along Geer Highway near Caesars Head and Table Rock, this iconic mountain crossroads has welcomed hikers, campers, motorcyclists, and travelers heading into the Blue Ridge foothills. Discover why Echo Plaza remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in northern Greenville County.