Park Manager Kevin Evans Discusses Local Lore & Botanical Diversity In South Carolina Mountains
On the outskirts of Salem, South Carolina, a town that only comprises 135 citizens, lays Devil’s Fork State Park in an idyllic location just on the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains and an hour drive south off the esteemed Blue Ridge Parkway. This youthful park was only established in 1991, but it’s far from lacking in history and allure. Encompassed by the Jocassee Gorge and surrounded by the banks of Lake Jocassee, the area that’s now Devil’s Fork State Park is rich in Native American history and a haven for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the region’s unique ecological character.
Once inhabited by the Cherokee Indian Nation, the lands surrounding Lake Jocassee are still mostly undeveloped, and the only entrance to the lake is through Devil’s Fork State Park. The name Jocassee meaning “Place of the Lost One” is derived from old Cherokee folktales.
As the legend goes, Nagoochee, of the Eastatoees tribe, was a fearless warrior and unafraid to hunt on enemy lands claimed by the rival Oconee tribe. One day while out hunting on Oconee territory, Nagoochee fell and broke his leg. He was ready to accept his fate when the most enchanting sound filled his ears and restored his hope. It was the voice of Jocassee, Princess of the Oconee tribe and daughter of Chief Attakulla. Jocassee rescued Nagoochee, and the two eventually became lovers. During a battle between the two opposing tribes, Jocassee’s brother Cheochee killed Nagoochee and returned home with his head lifelessly strapped to his belt. Devastated, Jocassee slipped away towards the river still gazing at her betrothed’s head as she crept onto the water. Legend has it the river held Jocassee’s weight as she effortlessly walked across the water to reunite with the ghost of Nagoochee.
Now some 300 feet below the surface of Lake Jocassee, the hallowed land is still highly protected and continues to be a main draw for travelers. Characterized by cool waters and fed by four swift mountain springs, Lake Jocassee is an exceptional trout fishing spot and contains many waterfalls only accessible by boat.
“The water is so clear and deep, and there are waterfalls you can drive your boat right up to,” admired Kevin Evans, Devil’s Fork Park Manager. “It’s just not something you generally think of seeing in the South East as far as lakes go.”
Along with the essence and scenic beauty of Lake Jocassee, perhaps the most unique ecological allure of Devil’s Fork State Park is the endemic Oconee Bell wildflower, recognized by its white blossom with red stem and red-tinted leaves. Early spring, when this rare flower is in full bloom, nature lovers from all walks of life venture to the park to hike the looping one mile Oconee Bell trail crossing streams and gorges lined with the splendor of this rare flower in its natural environment.
“A vast majority of the [Oconee Bell’s] natural habitat was destroyed when the lake formed,” explained Evans, noting that the Oconee Bell trail tops his list of favorite hikes. “The bell is a very rare, low growing plant that has a white flower resembling a bell.”
The first sighting of this extraordinary plant, indigenous to the forested mountains of the Carolina’s, dates back June 13, 1787. Sent by the French government to find plants that might be of use to France, botanist Andrew Michaux collected a specimen to be exhibited at the botanical museum in Paris and labeled it as being found in the ‘high mountains of the Carolinas’. Fifty-two years later on April 8, 1838, young American botanist Dr. Asa Gray recognized the plant as being an unlabeled species took it upon himself to write a scientific description based on the specimen. To honor Dr. Charles Short, a botanist from Kentucky who devoted himself to the classification of flora in his native region, Gray developed the scientific name of the genus Shortia.
Determined to find the mysterious plant in its natural setting, Gray spent 38 years searching for the elusive Shortia among the major peaks in the ‘high mountains of the Carolinas,’ but was unable to locate the flower that consumed his thoughts. One April day in 1877, while on a casual hike with his father, teenager George Hyams stumbled across a patch of what is now commonly recognized as Oconee Bells in the low-lying Catawba River, a far stretch from the high mountains described in Michaux’s specimen. George took a handful of flowers to his herbalist father, but Mr. Hyams was unable to identify the unique plant so he sent samples off to Joseph W. Congdon in Rhode Island. Congdon instantly recognized the plant and wrote Gray informing him of the discovery. After nearly 40 years of fruitless attempts to find Shortia, Gray’s tireless search was at last over.
A few years later, Gray set off on an excursion to finally take in Shortia in its natural habitat. Upon meeting with George Hyams, Gray said, “You have stumbled on what for many years I have tired so hard to find.” When Gray died in 1888, after classifying 25,000 botanical specimen throughout his career, he asked that the Oconee Bell flower cover his grave.
Today, the Oconee Trail continues to be a natural attraction for the region and one of the only locations in the world for the Oconee Bell to grow wild as nature deems fit. Visitors venturing to the tiny South Carolina town can experience the same allure throughout Devil’s Fork State Park in the pristine 7,500 acres of Lake Jocassee rich in Native American heritage and endless ecological charm.