The Rock at Jocassee
Pictured are: Judy Williams, Larry Williams, Mark Faille, Bob Woolsey, Marcia Van Daele, Todd Trusty, Larry Brown, Bart Stephens and Ken Clark.
The Rock at Jocassee, formerly known as Table Rock Resort, is located near the intersection of Scenic Highway 11 and US Highway 178. It is joined on almost all sides by 180,000 acres of Game Management Area and the Jocassee Gorges. Nestled at the base of one of South Carolina’s highest peaks, Pinnacle Mountain (3350’), the resort is laced with trout streams and several waterfalls, one being Gauley Falls-South Carolina’s famous “Sliding Rock”. Many local people have worn out their blue jeans sliding down these rocks. The University of South Carolina has studied petro glyphs that can be found with a special light that are carved into the rock in this area and these symbols date back almost 5000 years.
Once a Cherokee Indian Village stood in this majestic valley along Emory Creek. The Cherokee had lived here for centuries, which is why it is not uncommon to find ancient Indian artifacts throughout the property. In South Carolina, the Cherokee sided with the British Loyalists during the American Revolution. Through several battles, their villages’ were burned and the Cherokee were removed in 1776.
Captain William Lynch, for services in the American Revolution, was granted this land around 1780. Lynch, a former member of the House of Delegates in Virginia, introduced legislation to “whip Tories at the post for stealing horses. Thus the term “Lynch’s Law” was born. Captain Lunch and his wife, Anne Moore, built their home at Gauley and at his death, Captain Lynch was buried here. Their cemetery is located between lots 51 and 50 on Falcon Crest Way. The Lynch Family cemetery is across Highway 11, just north of Sliding Rock Road.
After Lynch’s death, the property changed owners several times.
Thomas R. Price, an enterprising pioneer, built a home place, which later burned, and a small store near the church to meet the immediate needs of the people. Next he built a mill at the falls on the creek at the entrance to the Indian Path and the Toll road up the mountain to the North Carolina line. At the mill, he ground the people’s corn, rye, barley and malts for their distilleries, in which they converted their grains and fruits into products which could be easily transported in wagons many miles to the centers of trade and marketing.
Price was also chosen group captain for a monumental construction project: the first road across the mountains to Folly Gap following the Cherokee Indian trail to North Carolina. This was the beginning the old Toll Gate Road. The Toll Gate itself adjoined Price’s Mill and remained in use until 1926. It was traveled by Presidents Andrew Jackson and William Taft during its operation.
The next owner was W. R. (Pete) Price, son of Thomas. He continued operation of the mill, toll road and store and gave land and money for a new church and cemetery. At age 14, Pete served as a courier during the Civil Way carrying messages to the various encampments.
In the early 1920’s Wade H. Chastain purchased the tract of land from W. R. (Pete) Price after marrying his daughter. By 1921 a spacious home (the present clubhouse), a smoke house and several outbuildings were in use. Mr. Chastain was General Manager of Carolina Timber Company, the former Singer property, and also operated the mill and general store. He died at age 58 and so many people attended the funeral that the large front porch gave way and had to be repaired.
Gauley Falls Country Club and Gauley Falls Country Club Condominiums, a time-share resort was formed in 1984.
In 1986 the property name was changed to Table Rock Resort and in 1997 the name was changed to The Rock at Jocassee.
The 18 hole championship gold course, surrounded by water falls, streams and mountain vistas is a jewel of the upstate. A new clubhouse and pro shop us being designed and should be ready for 2010 occupancy, New amenities such as expanded horse and hiking trails, tennis and swimming facilities, lodge, restaurant and shops are also being planned.
The golf course was taken over by new owners in January 2009 and they are planning the keep the beauty of The Rock while adding “green energy” such as solar panels and micro hydro electric generators to make the course environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
A Wellness Center has been opened near the entrance on Highway 11 which has a Chiropractor, Massage Therapists, Exercise Classes, Vascular screenings and a series of wellness seminars.
The golf course is open seven day a week along with a lunch time grille. The Restaurant lounge serves dinners on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The golf course participates in several charity tournaments each year.
