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Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Feb 12, 2007 9:56am
Thread (disabled) Board
Stumphouse Mountain is in danger of being sold to developers. Not only does my family like to go to the tunnel and waterfall there, but there is also a letterbox hidden on top of the tunnel. We need to try to save this place. I'm going to copy a message I received from a friend here.


The Walhalla Watershed at Stumphouse Mountain is a 440-acre property owned by the City of Walhalla in Oconee County. In the past it was used as the town's watershed. This property is adjacent to the historical Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Waterfall, a recreational destination spot and special place in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. A developer has proposed to purchase the property from the City of Walhalla to create a new development. If this side of Stumphouse Mountain is developed, it will be changed forever, with adverse consequences for the Mountain, Issaqueena Falls, and the entire region.

A conservation partnership that includes Upstate Forever, The Nature Conservancy, Naturaland Trust, and Chattooga Conservancy has asked the City to work with them to find a conservation solution to address the City's needs and protect the property. This group works closely with the U.S. Forest Service, SC Department of Natural Resources, SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the SC Forestry Commission. The Department of Natural Resources has submitted a letter to the Mayor stating that they are interested in purchasing the property.

Help Save Stumphouse Mountain by contacting (phone or letter) Mayor Lamar Bailes and Walhalla City Council and ask them to Slow Down! Ask them to consider the “win-win” conservation option that can meet the needs of the city without having to sell the property to a developer. This property is too important and too special to be covered with buildings and parking lots!

Contact Information:

Walhalla City Hall:
206 North Church Street
Walhalla, South Carolina 29691
864-638-4343

Mayor Lamar Bailes: 864-638-3058

We thank you for your support!

If any of you care to help, please send a letter. Although I don't think they know about the box. Just mention that you would like to conserve the area.

Thanks,
Christie
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71240 by J Walkers
Feb 12, 2007 11:01am
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh no! We have been there once.... not LBoxes then though... Oh I hope they don't devlop it!

Off to write a letter.
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71265 by Traveling Chicklets
Feb 12, 2007 1:28pm
Thread (disabled) Board
You all know the history of the tunnel?
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71289 by zoemomma
Feb 12, 2007 1:36pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I know a little of the history, but I'm vague on the details. I know it was supposed to be a railroad tunnel, and was abandoned before it was finished. Since the temperature is constant throughtout the year, Clemson University used to age their famous blue cheese inside the tunnel. There are a lot of theories about how the tunnel got it's name. Something about a house being built on a stump! There are a lot of stories about Issaqueena Falls too, but it's been too long since I've been and read the information there. Shame on me! We were hoping to plant a box at the falls somewhere, but for now that's on hold.

Check this out for details that I'm fuzzy on, or just google Stumphouse tunnel.
http://sciway2.net/2002/b73t/
http://www.walhallasc.com/stumphouse/


It's definitely worth saving!

Christie
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71240 by J Walkers
Feb 13, 2007 5:58am
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh,no! You've got to be kidding me!!! Why do people do this sort of stuff?? I hate when people have no consederation for the history of our cities, towns, and land! Progress be darned!

I will be writing more than one letter, I assure you! We've only been to the Tunnel once, but the kids and I fell in love with it! We have been planning on going back this spring/summer to take my Mom, who lives in GA. The kids though it was so cool, they have been dying to show her! Plus, we didn't get a chance to get over to the Falls the day we went.

I'm so sad!!!

moonshowr
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71424 by Electric City Four
Feb 13, 2007 8:45am
Thread (disabled) Board
Don't be sad yet...............and the tunnel is across the street from the proposed area in discussion.....but letters are in order, I think.
Re: Stumphouse Mountain in Walhalla, SC
Board: State: South Carolina
Reply to: #71463 by zoemomma
Feb 14, 2007 3:33am
Thread (disabled) Board
The friend who gave me the information about Stumphouse, who is on several conservation-type committees, said that anything developed up there would use the Stumphouse Tunnel road to access it. Plus, I have quite a few friends in Mountain Rest that would not welcome the increase in traffic on their way down the mountain. And who knows if the public would still be allowed access to the tunnel and falls?