Cherokee County, South Carolina

19th Century Club World War Veterans Monument A Race for the Grasshopper After Victory Battle of Cowpens Monument Blacksburg VFW Post 4941 Veterans Monument Carnegie Library Cherokee County Confederate Monument Cherokee County Veterans Monument Cherokee County WW I Rememberence Col. James Williams Colonel Howard's Misunderstood Order Double Envelopment Dunton Chapel Methodist Church E.C. McArthur First Baptist Church Form the Line of Battle Frederick Hambright From Cow Pasture to Battlefield From Pasture to Park Gaffney Gaffney Gaffney Cornerstone Goucher Baptist Church Granard Graded and High School / Granard High School Hearth and Home In Honor of the Three Known African American Patriots In Memoriam January 17, 1781 Landscape Restoration Project Let 'em Get Within Killin' Distance Limestone Limestone College Limestone Springs Littlejohn Family Reunion Michael Gaffney Michael Gaffney Home Millwood Park Morgan's Flying Army Mulberry Chapel Methodist Church Nuckolls-Jefferies House October 6, 1780 Race to the Dan River Race to the Dan River Road to the Revolution Route of March Sharpshooters at the Skirmish Line Skirmishers Retreat, British Advance Spirit up the People Steen Family Cemetery Sword Clash on Green River Road The Battle of Cowpens The Battle of Cowpens: Prelude to Victory The British Army The Cavalry (Dragoons) at Cowpens The Continental Army at Cowpens The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail The Reverend Thomas Curtis, D.D. The Robert Scruggs House Towne Center U.S. Memorial Monument Washington Light Infantry Monument Welcome to Cowpens National Battlefield Welcome to Cowpens National Battlefield Whig Hill William Anderson "...A Most Dreary Appearance" "Huzzah for Liberty!"
Cherokee County, located in the state of South Carolina, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Catawba nations. European settlers first arrived in the 18th century, and the county was officially established in 1897.

During the American Revolutionary War, Cherokee County was a focal point of conflict between Native American tribes and European colonists. The infamous Battle of Musgrove Mill took place in this area in 1780, as American Patriots successfully defended against a British and Loyalist attack, marking a turning point in the war.

The 19th century brought significant changes to Cherokee County, as the region became known for its mineral resources. The discovery of gold in the 1820s attracted many prospectors, leading to a boom in mining activities. However, the Civil War in the 1860s disrupted the mining industry, causing economic hardships for the county.

In the decades following the Civil War, Cherokee County experienced a period of economic revival. The textile industry became the driving force behind the county's growth, with numerous mills and factories established throughout the area. This industrialization brought jobs and prosperity to the region, contributing to its development and shaping its identity as an industrial hub.

Today, Cherokee County remains a place of historical importance, with sites such as the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Cowpens National Battlefield preserving the area's Revolutionary War heritage. The county continues to adapt and evolve, balancing its industrial past with efforts to promote tourism, preserve its natural beauty, and provide opportunities for its residents.
Brief timeline of the history of Cherokee County, South Carolina:

  • The Cherokee people inhabited the area that would later become Cherokee County.
  • 1768: The Treaty of Hard Labor signed, resulting in the Cherokee ceding their lands in the region to the British.
  • 1777: The area became part of the Ninety-Six District in South Carolina.
  • 1791: Cherokee County was established as part of the larger Ninety-Six District.
  • 1828: Gold was discovered in Cherokee County, leading to a gold rush in the region.
  • 1830: The Indian Removal Act was passed, resulting in the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands.
  • 1838-1839: The Trail of Tears, the forced relocation of the Cherokee people to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), resulted in the displacement and suffering of thousands of Cherokee.
  • 1897: The town of Gaffney was incorporated.
  • 1899: Cherokee County's first textile mill, Gaffney Manufacturing Company, began operations.
  • 1937: Cherokee County's most iconic landmark, the Peachoid water tower, was constructed in Gaffney.
  • Today, Cherokee County is a thriving community with a diverse economy and a rich cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cherokee County, South Carolina.