The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1875-11-11
From the Anderson Intelligencer.
( : "A Glance at "Old Pickens,"

The general aspect of things about
sold Pickens" to day strongly cons
traits with it's appearance fifteen or
twenty years ago-then at the zenith
OF it's ante bellum prime and impor-
tance as a country town, now all tum.
bled down and abandoned.
:. The dividing of Pickens District
shortly after tie war into Pickens
and Oconee counties, and the conse-
Quent removal Of the county seat,
served to utterly annihilate the old
town All the old residents, as by
one impulse and seemingly actuatcd
by q determination in common to re-
side at q "conrt house," migrated at
once and settled exclusively in Wal
halla and New Pickens, mainly in the
latter place. AS consequence, a
wonderful depreciation in value of
town property followed and moslt, if
notall, the old lots changed hands for
q mere trife. AS an instance, one
lot of two acres, on which was
good dwelling with store room at
tached, sold for ouly $40. The Court
House and Jail, and nearly all the
store houses and dwellings were torn
down and moved away, and now only
few weather beaten and desolate
houses, and most Of these in the last
stages Of delapidation, remain to re-
mind one of the former life or pre-
tentions Of the place. In fact, every
thing has degenerated to 50 great an
extent that the few remaining traces
aud relics would scare ,ly excite the
curious interest of tine passing stran-
ger. The large hotel building is
standing yet, but is t'st going to ruin
and the absence Of all the door and
window shutters and sash serves but
to heightcn the gloominess OF the
picture. Only one business sign re"
mains-that Of the old hotel bar,
which holds on to the wall with
tenacious grip as if unconscious OF
the fact that the '>spirits" nave flown.
The old academy is yet to be seen
and the town could at one time
boast of hourshing High School,
which is an easy and safe inference
when it is known that the Rev. j l.
Kennedy was it's principal. 1t may
be added in this connection that
your townsmaH, 0. II. p. FAINT, Esq.
once trained the young idea of tins
locality show TO shoot" There was
never but one church Immediately in
the place, neat and substantial
brick structure, which was originally
intended for the use of the various
denominations, but it was used al.
most exclusively by the Presbyteri-
ans until late years, when they aban~
doned it. Very lately it has been in
corporated in Methodist Mission of
the South Carolina Conference, and
strong membership has been alrea,
dy established.
This is remarkably healthy To-
cality, q fine grain growing section
and, since the war, considerable
quantity of cotton is raised. There
are no stores nearer than Central Sta
tion and Seneca City, on the Air Line
Railroad, each ten miles distant; and
this fact together with the natural re
sources of the surrounding country,
mako this place splendid opening
for q country store. A merchant Of
Seneca City, who, it. would seem,
was encouraged by these inducements
has. very recently opened general
stock of goods here and is doing
profitable business A store at Old
Pickens is something of q novelty,
andtbe "natives" hail its advent with
rejoicing. The effect is amusing and
particularly pleasing to the propriee
tor.