Check Out Lake Hartwell and Anderson, South Carolina! 

Anderson is located halfway between Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC, less than two hours from each on Interstate 85 and approximately five hours from Myrtle Beach and four hours from Charleston. Retirees from all over the world settle here and international companies including Michelin Tire, BASF, Bosch Corporation, Santens & Ryobi Technologies. 

Anderson is truly a Lake Community with some 3,000 miles of shoreline readily accessible that includes Lake Hartwell. The county is part of burgeoning prosperity and growth along Hwy I-85. The county's population of 172,431 is only part of a centralized market of 400,000 people. Shoppers come from as far as Georgia & North Carolina making Anderson city, or The Electric City as it's known, a $2 billion-plus retail center. Growth and local pride are hallmarks of this clean, pretty city. Current revitalization efforts include downtown restoration, a new library, new museum and a recreational complex with an amphitheater that will seat 10,000. Culture and the arts thrive here with numerous activities and art galleries. Five public school districts serve all areas of the county. Opportunities beyond high school include Tri-County Technical College, a two-year vocational college, Anderson College, a four-year liberal arts school on a park-like campus in Anderson. Clemson University, with its enormous campus and research centers, is located only 15 minutes from Anderson.  

Anderson is home to good schools, numerous churches, an active cultural life, and many service organizations. It boasts a cost of living that is one of the nation's lowest and a quality of life that is among the best. A wide variety of housing is available, from apartments and neighborhoods on tree-lined streets in town, to lakefront homes and condominiums, or rural farm homes and estates. Most homes are single-family residences and more than 400 subdivisions offer new and pre-owned homes in a wide range of prices. A growing number of retirees are making their permanent homes on Lake Hartwell.  

Lake Hartwell, located 30 miles south west of Greenville, South Carolina & 90 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, is without doubt the most beautiful lake in the Southern eastern United States. Interstate I-85 bisects Lake Hartwell making it accessible. It is fed by two rivers that come right out of the North Carolina Mountains.  

Lake Hartwell covers a land area of 56,000 acres and has a shoreline of 960 miles. Unlike many smaller lakes in the southeast it is uncrowded. Having a width of approximately six miles at its widest point, the views are both picturesque and panoramic and yet there are numerous deep-water coves and islands that provide tranquility.  

Outdoor water related opportunities abound on Lake Hartwell, appealing to boaters of all kinds, whether their specialty is sailing, motor boating, water skiing, canoeing or fishing. Coves and vast areas of quiet water provide the skier with excellent surfaces on which to pursue his sport. Swimmers delight in the natural sandy beaches that are numerous along the shore of the lake and around the many islands. Camping, picnicking, sight seeing and many outdoor activities can be enjoyed at the many public recreation areas located around the lake. It affords the avid sports fisherman & the weekend angler equal opportunities for rewarding fishing experiences, having a depth of 200 ft and 21 species of fish. 

The main body of Lake Hartwell borders Anderson County. It is located in a quiet and serene atmosphere of a rural type setting. From many parts of the lake you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background and yet it is only 1.5 hrs from Atlanta, Georgia and Highlands, North Carolina and 40 minutes from Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport. Considering their close proximity, property on Lake Hartwell has proved to be an excellent investment and many maintain summer homes on the lake from as far away as Europe, Canada & many northern states as well as neighboring states.
 

LAKE KEOWEE 

18,500 acres of water and a 300-mile shoreline makes the Lake Keowee area a popular place for boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, camping and picnicking. The proximity of several excellent colleges and universities in Anderson County provides opportunities for learners of all ages.  

Nearby Clemson University, with its extension services, community outreach, and myriad cultural and sports events, provides a great resource for the community at large. 

There are many fine restaurants in the area and lodging for a short or long stay.  

To own a home in this beautiful part of the country, with so much to do is almost everyone’s dream.  

LOCATION 

Lake Keowee is located predominately in Oconee County, but it also extends into Pickens County. The extension and widening of Georgia Highway 316 places Oconee County within an hour's drive of Atlanta. Known as University Parkway, 316 provides a direct link between Georgia's premier research institutions: the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Emory University. This link further enhances Georgia's rising prominence as a leader in research and high-tech development.  

Other important thoroughfares include US 29, 78, 129 and 441. Georgia highways 15 and 53 provide direct access to Interstate 20, a major east-west corridor, and Interstate 85, a vital norht-south artery.  

In addition to surface transportation, rail service is also available and provided by CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads.  

Air service is available at Ben Epps Field, a regional airport in Athens capable of handling small-to-medium-sized aircraft. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, slightly more than an hour's drive, connects us with the world through daily flights. 

Here are some market distances to various cities. I-85 is the major interstate that connects the south and the northeast. 

Market/Mileage 

Atlanta, GA	114
Birmingham, AL	247
Charlotte, NC	113
Charleston, SC	194
Charleston, WV	271
Cincinnati, OH	335
Columbia, SC	98
Jacksonville, FL	295
Knoxville, TN	125
Louisville, KY	309
Raleigh, NC	243

BRIEF HISTORY 

Constructed by Duke Power Company to generate hydroelectric power, Lake Keowee covers Keowee Town, site of the capital of the Lower Cherokee Nation. The waters of Keowee-Toxaway cover the ancient Cherokee center of Keowee Old Town. The Keowee, meaning "Place of the Mulberries," was visited by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto when he came through the area in 1540. 

ABOUT EDUCATION 

Oconee school district has schools with excellent teachers, support staff and administrators. Every child is afforded a rich relevant curriculum that will nurture their education from kindergarten through high school and college if that is there goal. 

Parents, nonparents, business leaders are all encouraged for their input in improving our school system. So each child has the opportunity to make as much of their education as they possibly can. 

An active Partners In Education program has paired over 70 businesses with individual schools to explore areas of mutual assistance and benefits. School system personnel are an integral part of the community, actively serving on community councils and committees with community and business volunteers reciprocating for schools. 

Pickens school district has a long history of excellence. A lot of energy is spent to make our schools a nurturing learning for our students. Along with the nurturing aspect of learning comes the challenging side of education where the latest information and technology is used to help the child develop their skills to the highest possible standard.
As a school district our number one priority has always been our students and with evidence of continuing academic growth we are extremely proud of them. From the Superintendent of Schools. 

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