Hicks, Zeno, House
a.k.a. McKinney--Hicks Homeplace
US 221 and Mill Gap Rd., Chesnee, SC Local significance of the district:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
South Carolina is home to several historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Claflin University, Benedict College, and South Carolina State University. These institutions played a key role in educating African Americans in the state during the era of segregation.
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.
Cherokee County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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.