Oconee

Cherokee Native Americans first inhabited the lands now known as Oconee County.

Cherokee Native Americans first inhabited the lands now known as Oconee County. Ultimately, the Cherokee relinquished control of the region to the United States via 1777 and 1816 treaties. However, the county chose to honor its Cherokee roots through the name Oconee, which is Cherokee for “land by the water.”

Settlement of the region began after the Revolutionary War, and most settlers came from other parts of South Carolina. Oconee County was eventually founded in 1868 with lands previously belonging to Pickens District.

The county’s economy depended on agriculture until after the Civil War. Soon after Reconstruction, an increase in the amount of railroads going through the county led to the growth of the textile industry. In recent decades, industry has continued to grow due to the creation of I-85, which connects Oconee County to Charlotte and Atlanta. The county’s economy is most dependent on manufacturing.  However, the completion of the Hartwell Dam and Lake project in 1962 led to the growth of one of the county’s central economic focuses: tourism.

The outdoor recreation offered in Oconee County draws a large number of tourists every year. More than 100 waterfalls, in addition to rivers and lakes, exist in the county. Additionally, Oconee County is home to Jocasee Gorges, which is “one of only two rainforests in North America.” Visitors can camp, white-water raft, and fish among other outdoor activities.

Oconee County lies in the Northeast portion of the Upstate, below the Blue Ridge Mountains. Walhalla serves as its county seat.

About Us. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://scmountainlakes.com/about-us/

Oconee County Industrial Base. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://investoconeesc.com/business-industry/industry/oconee-county-industrial-base/

Oconee Treasures | From the Sky

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Oconee Treasures | From the Sky
Explore the enchanting beauty and rich history of Oconee County, South Carolina, from the sky. In this episode we uncover the natural wonders of Isaqueena Falls, where the cascading waters echo the...
Darla Moore | Carolina Snaps Lake Jocassee | Carolina Snaps

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Lake Jocassee | Carolina Snaps
Lake Jocassee is a 75,000-acre reservoir outside of Salem, South Carolina and is considered the jewel of the Appalachian Mountains.
Oconee Station Cove Falls | Go For It

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Oconee Station Cove Falls | Go For It
Devyn heads to one of South Carolina's beautiful state parks to experience her first waterfall hike in the mountains of the upstate.
South Carolina's Most Haunted | From the Sky Lake Jocassee | From the Sky

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Lake Jocassee | From the Sky
The enchanting peaks and serene basins of Lake Jocassee are unlike anything else in South Carolina! And they can best be seen...From the Sky! Fly over the 75,000-acre reservoir that is commonly known...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 4

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4
Before the trees start to bloom, the flowers in the area explode with blossoms first. Here we see Lousewort and Pennywort flowers. While observing the flowers, Rudy and Jim come across a Black Chinned...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 7

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 7
Another characteristic of this forest which makes it unique is that it is has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years. The Mayapple flower is a common flower in the area, and features an...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 1

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1
Rudy and Jim visit Appalachian Cove, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. Some of the flowering plants found here have cousins nowhere else in the world except China and Japan. At this first...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5 11

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 11
In the same stop, Rudy and Jim talk about the plants growing on a nearby rock: moss, Walking Fern, and another Canada Violet. On a nearby tree, Rudy and Jim find a cocoon of a Large Silkworm Moth.
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 6 12

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 12
The constant stream of mist coming from the waterfall at this next stop affects the variety of plants found here. The mountain, like the forest, is ancient, and the waterfall continues to wear away...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5 10

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 10
At this next stop, Rudy and Jim find Canada Violets, White Trillium, Blue Cohosh, and a Green Frog can be seen close-by near the stream. Other plants which dominate the area are Yellow Buckeye trees...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 6

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 6
The increased amount of rain makes for a much more diversified forest when it comes to the tall trees in the area. Here we see the Tulip Tree, and the Understory Tree. Along the way Rudy and Jim come...
False Turkey Tail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 2

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2
Some of the trees found in the area also have blossoms. The redbud is one example. On a nearby hickory tree, Rudy and Jim come across a woodpecker called a yellow bellied sap-sucker, which has come to...
False Turkey Tail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 8

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8
In the same stop, Rudy and Jim find a species of reptile called the Green Anole lizard, and they describe the differences between a salamander and a lizard. Illustrating more of the forest’s diversity...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 5

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5
When pieces of trees fall to the ground, nature has a way to recycle that debris. A species of mushroom known as the False Turkey Tail helps break down the rotting wood, adding nutrients to soil in...
Green Frog | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 3

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3
Cove forests are very popular with visitors, due to the rich bottom soil found here. One animal which does very well in these areas is the beaver. Its work can be seen here with its telltale signs of...
False Turkey Tail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4 9

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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9
The cove got its shape from streams of water periodically carving out the rock. Witch Hazel and Rhododendrons are species of plants which benefit from the moisture of nearby streams.
Types of Flowers | Digital Traditions

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  • Higher Education
Types of Flowers | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...
Some Specifics on Carving | Digital Traditions

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Some Specifics on Carving | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...
Other Types of Wood to Use | Digital Traditions

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  • Higher Education
Other Types of Wood to Use | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...
Carving Roosters, Squirrels | Digital Traditions

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  • Higher Education
Carving Roosters, Squirrels | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...
Getting the Wood | Digital Traditions

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  • Higher Education
Getting the Wood | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...
Judson Madden Photos | Digital Traditions

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Judson Madden Photos | Digital Traditions
Wood carver from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). He carves figurines out of wood including flowers, squirrels, and roosters. His wife, Frances, assists him with painting and arranging the carved flowers...