Blog

Most often, one of the first stops on our tours is out at Mt. Carmel Church Buoy where we share a bit of history with you. 138’ below that buoy lies the remnants of the old church cemetery. Mt. Carmel church was the largest church in the valley. When there was a death in the valley, the church bells were rung the number of times for the age of the person and neighbors would come to help build a coffin, dig a grave and assist the families with food or farm chores, etc.. This spot is popular with scuba divers, and one graciously shared some of her photos of the headstones with me recently. These stones were left behind when Duke Power paid to have the human remains exhumed and relocated to other local cemeteries. After doing a little research and talking with Claudia Whitmire Hembree, author of Jocassee Valley, I learned a little bit about who these wonderful folks were. Mr. Alson Lafayette Whitmire aka “Hig” married Louisa “Lucy” Jane Thomas. They raised 9 children, operated a hotel in the upper end of the valley, grew crops, made wine from muscadines (to sell for income) and Lucy would hitch their mule, Mack, to their buggy and tend the sick, since the closest doctor/dentist was further up in the mountains, three ridges over. Neighbors depended on each other and contributed to the overall well-being of the community. If you enjoy history and love Jocassee, consider reading Claudia’s book. It is wonderfully informative and you get a chance to step back in time and learn a little about a former way of life here. You can find a digital copy online and by the way, Hig and Lucy just happened to be Claudia’s grandparents. Sheryl White, JLT naturalist guide.