Pickens County lies in the northwestern part of South Carolina. Both the county and its seat are named in honor of Revolutionary War general Andrew Pickens.
Cherokee Indians inhabited the area first. However, they often fought with the settlers, so the settlers constructed Fort Prince George in 1753 to keep themselves safe. Much of the Cherokee War took place at this fort. Eventually, the Native Americans ceded control of the region to the United States via a treaty in 1777. As a result of this treaty, the land was absorbed into the Pendleton District. In 1826, this district split into two counties, one of which was Pickens County.
For most of its history, Pickens County’s economy depended on either the growing of cotton or the processing of cotton in textile mills. However, in recent decades manufacturing has become an important and diverse industry in the area.
Notable Pickens County residents include John C. Calhoun and his son-in-law Thomas Green Clemson, who gave his father-in-law’s land to the state so that they could establish an agricultural college. This agricultural college later became Clemson University.
History. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.co.pickens.sc.us/History/default.aspx
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Coach Frank Howard, also known as “The Bashful Baron of Barlow Bend,” had an illustrious career as the head coach of the Clemson Tigers football team. After he retired from Clemson, Coach Howard...
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"C" is for Clemson University Extension Service. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created the Cooperative Extension Service. The act ended the rivalry between state agricultural commissioners and land...
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This segment covers the St. Julien family settling near Charleston, and building their home and plantation. William Hiott, Director of Clemson University Historical Properties, talks about why the...
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The beginning is about the house’s original owner, Paul de St. Julien’s family, and their French Huguenot origins. They moved to Charleston, S.C. to escape religious and political persecution, when...
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William Hiott and Patrick McMillan discuss the contributions made by African Americans. When Paul de St. Julien died in 1741, he owned forty-five slaves. Most of the profit which came from St. Julien...
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This last segment features a tour around the house, showing each room, design choices exclusive to each room, and some of the antiques and various artifacts on display in the home. Today, the house...
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"C" is for Central [Pickens County; population 3,522]. The town of Central came into being when the Atlantic and Richmond Air Line [later the Southern Railroad] laid a track through Pickens County in...
