Oconee County Genealogy
Oconee County was formed in 1868 from the Pickens District. The origin of the name Oconee is a matter of some debate. Some say it comes from a Cherokee indian word, others say that the word is of Creek origin. It means “land beside the water” or “land of springs”. The county seat of Oconee County is Walhalla.
Oconee County is in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Northwest corner of the state. This area was inhabited by the Cherokee before European settlement. The Blue Ridge Railroad began work in 1856 on a tunnel here that would have connected Charleston, SC to Knoxville, TN. The outbreak of the Civil War stopped work on the “Stumphouse Tunnel“. second link A park there is open year round.
Oconee County is home to several lakes including Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Sumter National Forest, the Chattooga River, several waterfalls and is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Oconee County
Query Forums
Oconee County, SC Forum for Queries
Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Oconee County from the Forum:
Cities and towns of Oconee County:
Salem
Seneca
Utica
Walhalla
West Union
Westminster
News related to Oconee County, SC
