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Issaqueena Falls

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Oconee County / Issaqueena Falls

Issaqueena (pronounced “izzaqueena”) is one of South Carolina‘s most popular waterfalls due to both its breathtaking 100-foot cascade and the interesting legend which surrounds it.

Issaqueena Falls

Brian Solomon of Evensville, TN, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Located near the City of Walhalla, in Oconee County‘s Stumphouse Tunnel Park, the falls allegedly were named for a Native American girl who discovered that her tribe planned to attack a nearby community of white settlers, according to local lore.

Issaqueena Falls

Brian Solomon of Evensville, TN, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The girl – Issaqueena – quickly dashed away on her horse to warn the settlers of their peril. During her ride, she named the places she passed – such as Mile Creek, Six Mile, Twelve Mile, and Eighteen Mile – until she finally reached the threatened settlement now known as Ninety Six. Learning of her betrayal, Issaqueena’s tribe chased her to the falls, where the young maiden pretended jump but hid behind the wall of water instead. Assuming she was dead, the tribe called off its search and Issaqueena was able to make her escape. Issaqueena is the character’s name in the Choctaw language; her name given by the Cherokees was Cateechee, which is also the name of other local landmarks.

Issaqueena

Steven Faucette of Williamston © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Another version of the legend holds that Issaqueena was protected not by the falls but by a nearby stump, from which both Stumphouse Mountain and the famed Stumphouse Tunnel in turn received their names. The falls are located just down the path from the tunnel, which has quite an interesting story in its own right – learn more about Stumphouse Tunnel.

Issaqueena Falls

Brian Solomon of Evensville, TN, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Visiting Issaqueena Falls makes for a fairly easy hike. It takes just about 15 minutes to reach them from the nearby parking lot. Get directions to Issaqueena Falls.

Issaqueena Falls

Brian Solomon of Evensville, TN, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Issaqueena Falls


Contributor Gregg Turbeville sent us his beautiful photo of the falls with the following story: “This photo was taken on a family excursion on the way to Oconee State Park after dropping my oldest son off at Clemson University. This 200-footwaterfall is surprisingly accessible with only a short walk from the parking lot off of Highwy 28.”

Issaqueena Falls Oconee County

Gregg Turbeville of Myrtle Beach, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Issaqueena Falls

Where is Issaqueena Falls located?
Address: Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Mountain Rest, SC 29664
GPS Coordinates: 34.806829,-83.121437
What else should I see?
Stumphouse Tunnel 0.3 mile
Yellow Branch Falls 0.6 mile
Neville School 2.9 miles
Chauga River 5.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Walhalla Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Waterfalls
    Issaqueena Falls Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruth Rosenthal says

      January 18, 2020 at 7:54 AM

      Visited Stumphouse Mtn. a couple xs. Very interesting. I am a SC native. Always heard different story about Issaqueena. Story we heard was she was chief’s daughter who was in love with a brave from another tribe so forbidden to marry him. She set out to any how & some of her tribe chased her & she pretended to dive off falls & kill herself. Actually she hid behind water & escaped.

      Reply
    2. Selena says

      March 12, 2014 at 1:11 PM

      I love Issaqueena Falls. I’ve been there for my family reunion.

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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