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.

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

Photographer Jerry Stafford took this picture in November 2010 while he was trekking through Oconee County chasing waterfalls. Brasstown Falls is a popular waterfall in Oconee, and there are many other lovely waterfalls sprinkled around our Upstate that are a must see.

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A fairly easy quarter-mile hike from the parking lot on FS 751 brings you to the top of the first falls known as Brasstown Cascades (pictured above), which drops about 50 feet.

From there, the path narrows for a steep and rocky decent to Brasstown Veil, pictured below. The wide veil of water spills over a ledge and falls another 15-20 feet into a pool that invites a cooling dip on a hot day.

The lower waterfall is called the Brasstown Sluice. It is a narrow, 15′ chute of water that ends in another shallow pool.

It is rated a “moderate” hike to see all three of the Brasstown waterfalls. Wear good shoes, go slowly, and be aware of slippery wet rocks. The trail becomes steeper and rockier as you descend but it is a reasonable hike for the young and old – and seeing three separate waterfalls is well worth the effort.

Photographer Ed Long says that Brasstown is one of his favorite waterfalls in South Carolina and describes his adventure in reaching it as follows:

“The hike to this waterfall started like so many before, meeting up with a friend and driving to the parking area. We each got over 20-pound backpacks of camera gear, hip waders, water, and snacks and headed for the trail. The trail quickly disappeared and became a descent over root and rock down to Brasstown Veil, also known as Middle Brasstown Falls.

“The 20-minute trip can be difficult if you aren’t prepared. However the reward is great – once there you are afforded an awesome sight plus a deep, cold, swimming hole for the adventurous. This is one of my favorite waterfalls in SC even if it is a little tough to get to. The reward is worth it.”

To visit the falls, just follow the moderate one-mile hiking trail through Sumter National Forest. The falls were once the home of an old SC grist mill, but the only remnants are anchor bolts at the top. Be careful if you decide to take a closer look at the bolts – the falls are classified as a Class VI rapid! When the water is high, some kayakers will actually paddle over the falls.

There are primitive camping sites along the hiking trail if you are interested in an overnight stay. If camping isn’t your cup of tea, the town of Westminister in Oconee County is situated nearby and offers several accommodations.

We are grateful to Carolyn Smith of Westminster for sharing this beautiful photo with us. She took it in July 2007. To see more of Carolyn’s photos, just visit Seneca Photo.

Click for directions and trail information.

See a video of Riley Moore Falls.

The waterfall’s name comes from a combination of Chauga River and Ramsey Creek, the two bodies of water that merge to create the Chau-Ram Park. There are five other waterfalls located along the Chauga River which you can reach by crossing a lovely suspension bridge and following hiking trails throughout the area.

Chau-Ram Park also has four picnic shelters and 28 campsites equipped with power, water, and a bathhouse, making this a great gathering spot for friends and family. For the adventurous, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing are popular activities along the Chauga River.

Ramsey Creek, pictured above, is also home to the Ramsey Creek Preserve – the first eco-friendly cemetery in the United States.

Based in Westminister, Ramsey Creek Preserve is a pioneer in environmentally-responsible burials. The preserve was formed in 1996 to promote wildlife protection and restoration, as well as to fund non-profits, education, and research. The company ultimately strives to provide families with an alternate burial option that is less expensive and more meaningful.

Check out a video of Chau-Ram Falls.

Every year, this peaceful scene changes dramatically the week after Labor Day when, to celebrate the mountain apple harvest, the Apple Festival takes place. Music, vendor tents, and crowds fill the street as whole families enjoy live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, face painting, and kiddie rides.

Along with the street fair, the week-long festival features a road race, a motorcycle ride, a rodeo, a river float, a golf tournament and of course, an apple baking contest.

Special thanks to Gary DuBose of Seneca, who took this picture in October 2009.

For more info on Oconee County and its scenic towns and scenery, be sure to visit OconeeCountry.com, an informative website about Oconee County.