SC Picture Project » Oconee County Photos

Lake Jocassee

SCIWAY — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:54:34 +0000

Serene Lake Jocassee (pronounced “joe-KASS-ee”) was created from the Whitewater, Thompson, and Toxaway rivers by Duke Power Company in 1967. It is located in Oconee and Pickens counties. Along with Lake Keowee, it provides electricity and recreation for much of the Upstate.

Dave Allen © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

At 7,500 acres, Lake Jocassee is perfect for boating, skiing, fishing, and swimming. There is very little development on its 75 miles of shoreline, and most of the surrounding land is also untouched by man.

The lake is known for the beautiful waterfalls that flow into it, but keep in mind that like many of our South Carolina waterfalls, they are best viewed after a good rain!

Madison Pierce of Salem, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

As for how Lake Jocassee got its name, SCIWAY contributor Madison Pierce of nearby Salem shares this: “The Jocassee Valley was once home to the Cherokee Indians. The lake was named for an Indian princess who was said to have walked across its waters to reunite with the ghost of her lost love. The name Jocassee has an appropriate meaning: The Place of the Lost One.”

Kevin Matkoski of Columbia, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Kevin Matkoski of Columbia writes, “After I moved to SC, I was looking for a place to go camping (via my kayak). Lake Jocassee came highly recommended because of its waterfalls dropping into the lake, and I thought it would be perfect. Needless to say, this was my first introduction to drought in the Southeast. I didn’t find the infamous waterfalls scenes I had imagined, but even in drought conditions the lake’s beauty dominated the landscape.”

Kings Creek Falls

SCIWAY — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:45:04 +0000

This beautiful waterfall in Walhalla drops a spectacular 70 feet into a cool splash pool. You can find the beginning of the half-mile trail that leads to Kings Creek Falls on Burrells Ford Road, which is off of SC 107.

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SCIWAY thanks Charles K. Hardin of Greer for this picture he took in April 2012.

Get more information and detailed directions to Kings Creek Falls.

Long Creek Academy

SCIWAY — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:04:14 +0000

Completed in 1914, Long Creek Academy in Oconee County was one of six “Mountain Mission Schools” constructed with assistance from the Southern Baptist Convention. It later became an state-accredited private high school and operated as such until the mid-1950s.

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Long Creek Academy helped educate dozens of Baptist ministers in upstate South Carolina. Sold in the 1970s, the building is now the headquarters of a local whitewater rafting company. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

SCIWAY thanks Gary DuBose of Seneca, who took this picture in February 2012.

South Cove County Park

SCIWAY — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:28:39 +0000

South Cove County Park sits on beautiful Lake Keowee in Oconee County.

SCIWAY thanks Sharon McFalls of Spartanburg for this picture she took while camping in August 2011.

Westminster Water Tower

SCIWAY — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:47:30 +0000

Westminster is a small, vibrant community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Oconee County. The area is home to many apple orchards, and the town has celebrated this great heritage each fall with their local Apple Festival.

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The town’s apple heritage is also celebrated on their water tower which is pictured here. In recent years, such towers have all too often been replaced with large concrete structures – which are perhaps more efficient – but lacking in the charm of these older structures.

SCIWAY thanks frequent contributor Gary DuBose of Seneca for submitting this description and great shot.

Lee Falls

SCIWAY — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:52:34 +0000

Beautiful Lee Falls is located near Walhalla in Oconee County. The 75-foot waterfall has no official trail going to it, and the well-worn path made by hikers is said to be quite difficult. That said, the one-and-a-half hour hike is well worth the effort to see this lovely waterfall in person.

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The waterfall’s secluded location and misty atmosphere creates a perfect habitat for fabulous flora and fauna. Hikers have reported seeing Oconee bells, bulblet ferns, mosses, unusual amphibians, and much more near Lee Falls.

SCIWAY thanks photographer Steven Faucette for submitting this beautiful photo in April 2011.

Get directions to Lee Falls.

Madison Post Office

SCIWAY — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:35:49 +0000

The small community of Madison, near Westminster, was named after Fort Madison. The fort was an old block house used by residents to protect themselves from Indian uprisings.

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SCIWAY thanks Rick Gibson for submitting this picture of the old Madison Post Office in December 2010.

Blue Ridge Mountains

SCIWAY — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:27:54 +0000

This breathtaking photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains was captured from a Lake Keowee hilltop near Seneca. Many people flock to the coast when they visit South Carolina, which makes beautiful mountain vistas like this one seem like a secret state treasure.

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If you love this view, consider taking a trip along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway (SC 11) which follows the path of an old Cherokee Indian trail along the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is over 100 miles long, and will take you by awe-inspiring mountain scenes, Lake Hartwell‘s serene waters, and much, much more.

Other can’t miss mountain areas in South Carolina are Caesar’s Head State Park and Table Rock State Park. Take some time away from your busy schedule and take a road trip to experience everything our state has to offer.

Many thanks to Jerry Stafford for providing this wonderful shot he took in October 2010.

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Newry Mill

SCIWAY — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:03:32 +0000

The vine-covered central section of the massive Newry Mill still towers over the abandoned textile plant and small village, where water first turned one of the mill’s power wheels on June 14, 1894. It was the first textile village in Oconee County. Around 1905, steam engines and boilers were added to increase production. Today, the old mill and historic village linger along the Keowee River at the base of Duke Power Company’s dike impounding Lake Keowee.

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The mill was established by William Ashmead Courtenay, a Charleston native who later served in the War between the States as a captain of the Washington Light Infantry. He also made his mark as the Mayor of Charleston and among other accomplishments, suggested the initiation of the South Carolina Historical Commission, which in 1967 became the SC Department of Archives.

Today, the mill and its village are known as the Newry Historic District, which is listed in the National Historic Register. The district contains 118 buildings including the mill complex, a post office, a village church, and many residences all within 250 acres. The ruins of Innisfallen, the house of William Courtenay, can be found on the southwest ridge near the village.

SCIWAY thanks Jerry Stafford of Seneca for providing this great historical information and picture that he took in October 2010.

Many Newry residents and visitors believe that the old mill could be haunted. Watch a video of two brave guys exploring the inside of the Newry Mill!

Lake Keowee Snowfall

SCIWAY — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:07:16 +0000

Lake Keowee in Oconee County was built by Duke Power Company to generate hydroelectric power. Its creation flooded Keowee Town, which was the capital of the Lower Cherokee Nation. Keowee means “Place of the Mulberries” and is a popular place for boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, camping, and picnicking.

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The lake spans over 18,500 acres predominately in Oconee County, but it also extends into Pickens County. Lake Keowee is a valuable source of energy in northwestern South Carolina, and its quiet beauty is unparalleled.

SCIWAY thanks Gene Borman for submitting this picture he took from his Lake Keowee home on a snowy day in March 2010.