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The Pickens County Chronicle is a locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County, South Carolina publishing local news, feature stories, history, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more

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Thank you for supporting local journalism that supports our communities in Pickens County

The Pickens County Chronicle is a locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County, South Carolina publishing local news, feature stories, history, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more

The Pickens County Chronicle has reached more than 12,000 readers this year

Read more than 850 stories free inside

Advertise and support Pickens County journalism

Thank you for supporting local journalism that supports our communities in Pickens County
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Celebrating the Founding of our Nation

For national events, visit America250 and DAR/America 250  and America250SAR.org. 

For state events, visit South Carolina 250.

 

 

Click here for The Pickens County Chronicle's tribute page to Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens, for whom our county is named

Local America 250 stories published in The Pickens County Chronicle in 2026:

And the bells rang for Liberty: Pickens County to celebrate Constitution Week with community bell ringing on Thursday, September 17 at the Pickens County Courthouse

www.clemson.edu

Clemson University Historic Properties and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) continue celebration of America's 250th with series of fall events, beginning September 15

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The Upstate Field of Honor prior to the opening ceremony (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

Upstate Field of Honor to honor American heroes while marking 25th anniversary of 9-11 and 250th birthday of our nation

The rendering of the Charters of Freedom
The rendering of The Charters of Freedom display is unveiled on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Hagood-Mauldin House in Pickens. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Tom Wistar welcomes everyone to the fundraising reception and introduces all of the speakers. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens Mayor Rev. Isaiah Scipio opens with prayer. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens County Council member Scott Lang leads in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Sean Anderson sings "God Bless America." (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Mike Unruh from Foundation Forward speaks about the Charters of Freedom. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens County America 250 Chair Carolyn Nations speaks about the importance of the Charters of Freedom. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Author Charles Hood speaks about the Charters of Freedom. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Architect Chris Stone speaks about the Charters of Freedom. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
State Senator Rex Rice speaks about the Charters of Freedom. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Tom Wistar speaks in concluding the event. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The replica of The Declaration of Independence in a mobile version of the Charters of Freedom display. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

Charters of Freedom: Leaders plan for America's founding documents (The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights) to be displayed with waterfall at Pickens amphitheater -- fundraising reception is held at historic Hagood-Mauldin House for 'Preserving Our Heritage, Inspiring Future Generations' -- Click here to read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story and to view The Chronicle's photos from the event


Story only by The Pickens County Chronicle

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Brothers Fred Pickens and Steve Pickens find family connection to General Andrew Pickens, visit General Andrew Pickens' gravesite at Old Stone Church in Clemson

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Celebrating 'The Day They Signed for Liberty': Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story with 26 photos by The Chronicle and audio from the Sunday, August 2 ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the August 2, 1776 formal signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

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Clemson University Associate Professor of History Joshua Catalano leads talk and tour at historic Fort Rutledge site on 250th anniversary of Battle of Esseneca: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story with more than 50 photos by The Chronicle and audio of the entire event

Reported in Pickens County only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Clemson is recreating a part of Fort Rutledge 250 years after the Battle of Esseneca: a talk and tour on Saturday, August 1 will be led by Clemson University Associate Professor Joshua Catalano

Special commemoration on August 1 to mark 250th anniversary of the Battle of Esseneca

The Declaration is just the beginning: South Carolina 250 to celebration nation's founding through 2033

Pickens County America 250 thanks the community and invites everyone to continue the journey -- 'From declaration to independence: Why America 250 must continue through 2033' (by Carolyn Nations, Pickens County America 250 Committee Chair)

On Sunday, August 2, on the Courthouse lawn, Pickens County America 250 to mark 'The Day They Signed for Liberty'


UPDATE: Due to the forecast of rain for the afternoon of Sunday, August 2, the location for this event has been changed to inside the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley

At the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library on Saturday, July 11, Historyman Comics creator Eric Barnes to teach children and teenagers how to write a comic book

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Stephen Huffman as General Andrew Pickens with Bud Starnes, President of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
Pickens County America 250 Chair Carolyn Nations speaks at the patriotic presentation. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Debbie Gravely, Events Manager for the City of Pickens, welcomes everyone to the special patriotic program. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens Mayor Rev. Isaiah Scipio prepares to give the invocation. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Daniel Thompson and Troop 51 Boy Scouts lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kayla Culbertson sings the national anthem. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
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Pickens celebrates our nation's 250th birthday: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story about Pickens' special patriotic presentation, and view 58 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Dr. Otis Pickett with his wife, Julie, at a book signing at Old Stone Church on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Author Karen Petit at a book signing at Old Stone Church on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Authors Dr. Rod Andrew and Dr. Otis Pickett at the book signing at Hopewell on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Author Kate Salley Palmer with her husband, Jim Palmer, at the book signing at Hopewell on June 28, 2026 (Kate Salley Palmer, WarBranchPress.com( Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Author Karen Petit at the book signing at Hopewell on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Dr. Otis Pickett with Sheri Belk (portraying Anna Marie Calhoun) at Old Stone Church on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Bud Starnes, President of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, with Andrew Pickens descendants Harry Mays, Jr. and Sam Pickens at Old Stone Church on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Harry Mays, Jr. (a descendant of General Andrew Pickens and a member of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution) with Andrew Pickens descendant Sam Pickens at Old Stone Church on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens County America 250 Chair Carolyn Nations stands at the doorway to Hopewell on June 28, 2026 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Hopewell (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Old Stone Church in Clemson (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
America 250 Patriots Marker Dedicated at Old Stone Church (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

Pickens County celebrates Carolina Day on June 28, 2026 at Old Stone Church in Clemson (where General Andrew Pickens is buried) and Hopewell (former home of General Andrew Pickens): Clemson University Historian Dr. Otis Pickett speaks on 'Andrew Pickens as a Presbyter, Elder, and Churchman', and event includes book signings by authors Dr. Otis Pickett, Dr. Rod Andrew, Karen Petit, and Kate Salley Palmer -- Click here to read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story and to view more than 40 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

City of Liberty to celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at City Stadium

City of Easley to celebrate 250 years of American independence on Friday, July 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Clemson to celebrate Independence Day with Light the Lake fireworks show over Lake Hartwell on Friday, July 3

Town of Central to hold Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City of Pickens to celebrate America's 250 years of independence on Friday, July 3 from noon to 9:30 p.m.

Test your knowledge of South Carolina's role in the American Revolution and play for cash prizes during Revolutionary War Trivia Night, sponsored by the Pickens County America 250 Committee, on July 1

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Dr. Rod Andrew

Carolina Day on Sunday, June 28 to celebrate the legacy of General Andrew Pickens: Event will include tour of Old Stone Church cemetery by members of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, program inside Old Stone Church by Dr. Otis Pickett, open house/self-guided tour of Hopewell Plantation, and book signings by Dr. Rod Andrew and Dr. Otis Pickett


CAROLINA DAY

Pickens County to celebrate Carolina Day with family activities and historic commemoration: Carolina Kid's Day will be held at local libraries on Saturday, June 27, and Carolina Day Commemoration will be held at Old Stone Church and Hopewell Plantation on Sunday, June 28

Six Mile's Independence Day celebration on Saturday, June 27 to include drone show and so much more

Upcountry Quilters Guild's Snapshots in Time special quilt display celebrating our country's 250 years opens at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History: Click here to view photos by The Pickens County Chronicle of all of the quilts

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Easley Presbyterian Church to host Star-Spangled Tea on Saturday, June 20 as part of celebrating America's 250th birthday, proceeds to benefit Pickens County Advocacy Center

Joyce Hansel, Regent of the Fort Prince George Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, welcomes the crowd to the dedication ceremony for the General Andrew Pickens and Revolutionary War Patriots Monument the morning of Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Bryan Hester, Minister of Music of Pickens First Baptist Church, and children from Pickens First Baptist Church (sister and brother Anna and J.P. Shipman and sisters Catherine and Caroline Chapman) sing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Perry Gravely (Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts Troop 51), Micah Thompson (Boy Scout in Troop 51), Daniel Thompson (leader in Troop 51), Heather Thompson (member of Fort Prince George DAR Chapter and Senior Leader of the Dicey Langston Society, Children of the American Revolution), Naomi Thompson, and Clay Counts (candidate for South Carolina House of Representatives). (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Rev. Isaiah Scipio, Mayor of the City of Pickens, prepares to give the invocation. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Sisters Dianne Mays Crooks and Julie Mays Thompson (descendants of General Andrew Pickens and members of the Fort Prince George DAR Chapter) lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Harry Mays, Jr. (a descendant of General Andrew Pickens and a member of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution) leads in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of South Carolina. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Fort Prince George DAR Chapter Regent Joyce Hansel, Pickens Mayor Rev. Isaiah Scipio, Pickens County America 250 Chair Carolyn Nations, Pickens County Historical Society Senior Vice President Wayne Kelley, State Representative Davey Hiott of Pickens, and State Representative Neal Collins of Easley (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Kayla Culbertson sings "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pickens County Historical Society Senior Vice President Wayne Kelley speaks. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Carolyn Nations (Pickens County America 250 Chair and immediate past Regent of the Fort Prince George DAR Chapter) speaks. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
State Representative Davey Hiott, of Pickens, speaks. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Children pull the ribbon. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Harry Mays, Jr. (a descendant of General Andrew Pickens and a member of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution) rings a bell 13 times, for each of the original 13 colonies. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Representative Neal Collins, of Easley, a member of the Pickens County America 250 Committee, speaks. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Jerry Dyar and fellow members of the Honor Guard of the Walhalla American Legion Post 124 (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Members of the Honor Guard of the Walhalla American Legion Post 124 give a 21-gun salute (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
"Taps" is played by a member of the Walhalla American Legion Post 124 Honor Guard. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
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General Andrew Pickens and Revolutionary War Patriots Monument is dedicated in Legacy Square in Pickens: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story and view 36 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle

General Andrew Pickens and Revolutionary War Patriots Monument in Legacy Square in Pickens to be dedicated on Saturday, June 6

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Clemson University's Brick by Brick speaker series to focus on American Revolution: speakers include John Garrison Marks, Rod Andrew, Jim Piecuch, Carl Borick, and Alan Pell Crawford

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CU-partnering with Upcountry History Museum

Clemson University partners with Upcountry History Museum on special American Revolution exhibit: Artifacts include the cavalry saber that belonged to General Andrew Pickens

Lt. Eric Barnes of the South Carolina State Guard, State Senator Rex Rice, Pickens County America 250 Chair Carolyn Nations, State Representative Davey Hiott, State Representative Neal Collins, and Pickens County Historical Society Senior Vice President Wayne Kelley (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
South Carolina State Representative Davey Hiott, South Carolina State Representative Neal Collins, and South Carolina State Senator Rex Rice (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
South Caroilna State Representative candidate Clay Counts and South Carolina State Representative Davey Hiott (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

Bridge on the Twelve Mile River is dedicated in honor of General Andrew Pickens: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view more than 20 photographs by The Chronicle from the special ceremony

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Upcountry Quilters Guild's special quilt display, A Snapshot in Time, to open June 16 at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History: Exhibit to celebrate America's 250 years

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Clemson University receives grant from SC 250 Commission

Upstate Field of Honor, to be held September 11-18, seeks to honor American heroes with 250 American flags for America's 250th birthday in 2026: Read information on this year's event and read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story on the 2025 event with 190 photos and The Pickens County Chronicle's three in-depth stories on the 2024 event's three ceremonies with 146 photos

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

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A Liberty Tree and a Patriot Tree are dedicated at the Pickens County Courthouse on Sunday, April 19 in honor of America's 250th birthday in 2026: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 51 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

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Southern Wesleyan University in Central hosts a patriotic Area 13 Special Olympics for Pickens and Oconee Counties on Friday, April 17, with the theme of celebrating America's 250th birthday this year: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 250 photos of the event by The Pickens County Chronicle

Reported in Pickens County only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Pickens County 250 Committee and Pickens County Historical Society to dedicate a Liberty Tree and a Patriot Tree in front of the Pickens County Courthouse on Sunday, April 19 as part of our nation's 250th birthday celebration

Historic Hopewell Plantation, General Andrew Pickens' family home and Native American Treaty Site, to be open for free tours on Saturday, April 18 and the third Saturday of each month thereafter

Liberty & Legacy event, sponsored by the Pickens County 250 Committee and the Fort Prince George DAR Chapter, to be held at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley on Sunday, March 29: Learn about the Francis Marion Papers from Rick Wise, Executive Director of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust

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The late Dennis Chastain, historian, writer, naturalist, speaker, Pickens County 250 Committee member, and Pickens County Historical Society Blue Wall Vice President, is honored with a marker dedication at Bryson Children's Nature Walk in Six Mile and presentation of Daughters of the American Revolution national American History Award medal: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 30 photos from the event

Local events to celebrate America's 250th birthday and honor General Andrew Pickens: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story about upcoming events

'Remembering Dennis Chastain' event to be held in Six Mile on Wednesday, March 11

Liberty & Legacy presentation The Battle of Blackstock's Plantation to be held Sunday, February 22 at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library with Rick Wise, Executive Director of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust: Event is sponsored by Pickens County 250 Committee and Fort Prince George DAR Chapter

Pickens County's Fort Prince George DAR Chapter and the Pickens County 250 Committee sponsor Revolutionary War slideshow presentation by Rick Wise, Executive Director of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust

Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle

Celebrating America's 250th birthday -
Local America 250 stories published in The Pickens County Chronicle in 2025:

The Andrew Pickens Interpretive Center at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History opens with reception: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view The Chronicle's photos of the permanent exhibit, made possible with funding from the South Carolina 250th Commission

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

The Pickens County 250 Committee, the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the City of Easley celebrate Constitution Week with proclamation and bell-ringing ceremony: Click here to read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and to view The Chronicle's photos from the event

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Firelocks of the American Revolution exhibit at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History displays Revolutionary War era firearms from the personal collection of Ken Nabors, who is honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Pickens County 250 Committee: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story and to view 59 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Local historian Dennis Chastain to give lecture on Francis Salvador as part of the Pickens County 250 Lecture Series

For Carolina Day, local historian Dennis Chastain will present Revolutionary War era slideshow at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley in event sponsored by the Pickens County 250 Committee

Exciting news about the rebuilding of historic Fort Prince George in Pickens County: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story, including interviews with Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper and Pickens County Historical Society Board members Wayne Kelley, Anne Sheriff, and Dennis Chastain

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Local historian and writer Dennis Chastain speaks and gives slideshow presentation on The Cherokees of the Carolinas at event held at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History and hosted by the Pickens County 250 Committee: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story, listen to audio of Chastain's presentation, and view photos

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Celebrating America's 250th birthday -
Local America 250 stories published in The Pickens County Chronicle in 2024:

Pickens County Historical Society and Pickens County 250 Committee host Christmas Open House at the historic Hagood-Mauldin House (once home to Frances Hagood Mauldin, founder of the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution), event includes music by Dr. Marianne Holland and Carolyn Yarborough and children from Eastside Baptist Church in Liberty and Smith Chapel Church in Pickens: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 52 photos

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Durant Ashmore gives Revolutionary War lecture at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History about General Andrew Pickens in event sponsored by the Pickens County 250 Committee

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Pickens County 250 Committee extends invitation to lecture and driving tour about the Revolutionary War in Pickens and Oconee Counties, with an emphasis on the life and times of General Andrew Pickens

Fort Prince George Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Pickens County 250 Committee celebrate Bells Across America, Pickens firefighters join in to commemorate the 237th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view photos from the event

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Pickens County 250: Celebrating the birthday of General Andrew Pickens - During the Pickens County 250 Committee's celebration of Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens' birthday at the Pickens County Museum, historian Dennis Chastain speaks and gives a slideshow presentation about the Battle of Esseneca. Listen to Chastain's presentation and view photos from the event.

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission hosts inaugural gathering of county delegates

(From SC 250)

Pickens County 250: The Andrew Pickens Chapter and the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) dedicate America 250 marker at Old Stone Church in Clemson: Read The Pickens County Chronicle's in-depth story and view photos from the event

(Reported only by The Pickens County Chronicle)

Historical marker program points to South Carolina's rich Revolutionary history

(From SC 250)