Cherokee

In 1897, lands from York, Spartanburg, and Union counties merged to create Cherokee County.

In 1897, lands from York, Spartanburg, and Union counties merged to create Cherokee County. The Revolutionary War battle of Cowpens was fought in the county. Cherokee County is named in honor of the Cherokee Indians that lived in the area prior to settlement.

Also referred to as the Old Iron District, Cherokee County is known for the iron mines that powered the area’s pre-Civil War economy. Currently, the county relies much more on the manufacturing industry. However, agriculture is also important in the area, and “Cherokee County is one of the major producers of peaches in all of the U.S.” Gaffney serves as its county seat.

Welcome to Cherokee County. Accessed June 01, 2016.
 

Applying Glazes | Digital Traditions
Episode 2

Audio

Eugene Pottery, Cowpens, Cherokee County. Interview recorded June 2007 as the Folklife Resource Center continues to document pottery traditions in South Carolina. Winton Eugene is a self-taught potter...
Embroidering Starfields | ETV Shorts

Video

Gaffney Embroidery is a unique shop that creates all of the starfield patterns that go on our American Flags. It's one of the few in the United States and they are located in Gaffney, S.C.
Strawberry Hill USA | ETV Shorts

Video

This family-owned market in Gaffney, S.C. is filled with plenty of fresh fruit along with homemade ice cream! The folks at Strawberry Hill USA in Gaffney talk about their loyal customers who become...
Inside a Yarn Factory | ETV Shorts

Video

Parkdale in Gaffney, S.C. is one of the largest yarn factories in the world. They produce enough yarn to go to the moon and back multiple times a day and use the most up-to-date technology to make...
Carolina Foothills Artisan Center | ETV Shorts

Video

The Carolina Foothills Artisan Center, located in Chesnee, is a 2,000 square foot gallery space exhibiting artists work from the foothills of South Carolina to lower North Carolina.
Kings Mountain | Project Discovery Revisited

Video

Kings Mountain was the site of an important battle of the Revolutionary War. The British were defeated and started a retreat to Yorktown, where they eventually lost the war, giving the 13 colonies...