About Us
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pickens offers visitors a wide array of interesting, fun and exciting activities, from shopping and eating, to biking, to enjoying the natural resources, community events, and cultural activities that abound. Here you will find people who value family, friends and a relaxed lifestyle. In Pickens, you become part of the community.
On June 15, 1869, a handbill distributed in South Carolina’s Upcountry advertised the “Last Sale of Town Lots” for the new county of Pickens. The ad stated, “The location is most desirable, one situated on a beautiful plateau and surrounded by a fertile region, with thrifty inhabitants and the village rapidly growing.”
The town of Pickens was founded in 1868 and named for the Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Pickens. Scottish-Irish settlers were the original inhabitants of the Pickens area, with a few traders who lived among the Cherokees. When the new Pickens was being created, Elihu Griffin offered 40 acres of his land for the courthouse; it was this land being offered for sale in the 1869 handbill.
Much of the City’s past is present today, giving a glimpse of its rich and fascinating heritage. This mixture of past and present is one of the factors which makes Pickens a place of historical interest and significance.
Pickens is convenient to the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway (SC 11) where numerous waterfalls and state parks, including Table Rock and Keowee-Toxaway, attract visitors to the Upstate of South Carolina. Pickens is home to the Pickens County Museum which is located in the historic 1902 county jail. Nearby, just off Highway 178, is the 1826 Hagood Grist Mill. The Azalea Festival is celebrated each spring, featuring a classic car cruise and an arts/crafts show. There are other annual festivals and events as well, like Founders Day Music Festival, 4th of July, Blue Ridge Fest and the annual downtown Trick or Treat on Main.
The City of Pickens is situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the county seat of Pickens County and is a small business center for a good agricultural and industrial area. The City is approximately 20 miles west of Greenville, South Carolina, 70 miles South of Asheville, North Carolina, and 143 miles Northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The 2010 population of Pickens was 3,126 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
While you are in town, take a moment and visit the downtown amphitheater located at 114 West Main Street. In addition, our brand new Town Creek Bike Park just opened off Sangamo Road – an off-road BMX-style bike park that is one of a kind! Finally, take a walk or bike ride on the Doodle Trail, a multi-use paved trail that connects our downtown to the City of Easley’s downtown.