I saw a photograph of the old furnace at Thicketty Mountain Iron Works at the history museum during its recent rock exhibit. I'd like to know more about this iron works. -- G. M., Spartanburg
The Thicketty Mountain furnace near Cowpens Battlefield was part of the South Carolina Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1826 by Abner Benson, Andrew B. Moore and Wilson Nesbitt. Another furnace was located at Hurricane Shoals. Nesbitt actually worked as an iron master as early as 1811, when he operated furnaces at Thicketty Mountain and Limestone Springs. In 1834, his company reconstructed several pre-Revolutionary furnaces on Cherokee Creek, purchased 25,000 acres of ore land and built a rolling mill at Hurricane Shoals on the Pacolet River, according to Bobby Moss' book, "The Old Iron District." In Cherokee County, there were at one time more than two dozen of substantial mineral deposits extending from Thicketty Creek to King's Mountain, including copper, lead, limestone, marble, tin, zinc and gold. It's unclear exactly when gold was first discovered in South Carolina, but gold mining around Cherokee Falls began around 1800. Around 1834, a woman named Briggs (last name, not her first name) lived near King's Mountain and is said to have drawn water from a nearby spring, discovering numerous gold nuggets, apparently of the finest grade. As a result, miners flocked to what would become the town of Kings Mountain and Grover. Another gold rush helped to establish the town of Blacksburg. Counting Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union and York counties, the area had 19 well-defined gold mines by the Civil War, according to Moss.
Tavern revisited I was wondering if you could find any information on the house, known as Foster's Tavern, at the intersection of highways 56 and 295 near the Cedar Spring community. I have always heard there were ghost stories associated with it but have never heard specifics. Also, could you tell me who owns it now? -- E.G., via e-mail Second only to "Is Fresh Market coming to the west side of town?" questions on Foster's Tavern are the most asked even though I've written about it before. The above is just one of several that have piled up on my desk, and for that reason, I think I probably should at least write a quick review on this historic house. In 1807, Anthony Foster Jr. began building the house that would become a stagecoach inn. It took him five years to complete it though. But that's not counting the large columns and second-floor balcony that were constructed in 1845 or the piazzas that were added in 1912. Generally speaking, the house looks pretty much like it did nearly two centuries ago. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is a private residence, occupied by the same family that has owned it since 1921. John C. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson stayed at the inn. And, of course, a favorite local legend is that George Washington slept there, but I have my doubts about that one because Washington died eight years before Foster began building the house. But maybe his ghost slept there.
Chicken liver In the 1960s or before that, Legion's Drug Store on Main Street had chicken liver sandwiches on the menu. I would like to know if anyone has the recipe. -- V.H., Arcadia Obviously, I need help from chicken-liver lovers who perhaps worked at the drug store or who had access to this recipe.
Send questions and recipe requests to Karen Nutt, 123 Barley Mill Road, Moore, S.C. 29369 or ifyouaskme@charter.net.