Wanting to learn a little more about Polk County’s past? On Saturday, June 1st the Polk County Historical Association is planning a road trip to some of the area’s historical sites. 

 

This spring’s tour will include a tour of Seven Hearths. This home was built for the Mills Family around 1740. The nearly 280 year old structure was originally located in the Mill Spring community but restored and relocated to the Pacolet Valley area in 1934. Featured at the historic home will be Ambrose Mills reenacting one of his Mills family descendants. 

 

Following the visit to Seven Hearths, Polk County native Alan Leonard will share information and the history of the cabins at Seven Hearths’ cabins. 

 

Local historian Susan Speight will tell the tales of White Oak and Tryon Mountain. Speight has done extensive research on the two mountains histories. Already an author of a Skyuka Mountain book, she will point out the significant locations on the mountains that played a part in local history.  

 

Continuing atop of the mountain the PCHA’s tour will visit with Janel Howell. Howell plans to talk about her family’s home on what is known locally as Slick Rock. Tour participants are asked to bring their own sandwich for lunch as they travel. A picnic style outing will be at the lake on White Oak Mountain. PCHA will furnish cookies and water to go along with the tour users brown bag lunches. 

 

The historic road trip & tour is co-sponsored by the Polk County Historical Association and the Meeting Place of Polk County. It will depart from the historical museum at 60 Walker Street in Columbus at 9:00 a.m. and last most of the day. Tickets can be purchased at Polk Historical Museum, Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at Flower Cottage in Columbus. 

 

All proceeds from the tour will be used in upcoming history programs. The Historical Association would like to thank the Meeting Place of Polk County & Leslie Huntley for their help on this tour. 

 

Submitted by John Vining 

 

Photo Caption: The Skyuka Hotel was constructed high up Tryon Mountain around 1892 and razed in the 1930’s to build Camp Skyuka.