Located about 7 miles northwest of Walhalla on Hyw 28, the 1,617 foot long Stumphouse Tunnel is an oddity. Started in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville and eventually on to Cincinnati, the Civil War—and lack of funds—brought construction to a halt. While there were various efforts by the Blue Ridge Railroad to revive the tunnel, none of them came to pass and it stands today as a monument to the efforts of pre-Civil War engineering.
The tunnel measures 17 feet wide by 25 feet high and about mid-way in, there is a 16 x 20 foot airshaft that extends 60 feet upwards to the surface, causing a consistent cool breeze to flow out of the tunnel, a welcome treat in mid-summer. It also produces condensation and the tunnel is usually wet.
In 1951, Clemson University bought the tunnel and used it to cure the South's first blue cheese. The tunnel's environment was later duplicated at Clemson, and the cheese making, that Clemson is now famous for, was moved there. The tunnel still belongs to Clemson University, but is maintained and managed under the South Carolina State Parks System.
The lovely mountain laurel blooms in profusion
around the entrance to Stumphouse Tunnel.
Down the path a short distance is Issaqueena
Falls, a beautiful waterfall with easy access.
A rainbow is captured at the bottom of falls
The route to a great overlook is only about 200-300’ down a wide, gentle, graveled path.
Legend has it that the falls is named for an Indian maiden, Issaqueena, who warning the white settlers of an Indian attach, was then chased by Indians and she appeared to jump over the falls. By actually hiding behind the falls (or some legend-tellers say she hid behind a stump, hence Stumphouse Tunnel), she tricked her pursuers and survived.
The beauty of the rock, the uniqueness of the “going nowhere” tunnel and the ease of access makes Stumphouse Tunnel, and Issaqueena Falls one of the most visited Parks in Oconee County.
The Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset.
For more information, call the office at
864- 646-3782.
The Park does not have *camping facilities or drinking water.
There are outhouse restrooms and picnic sites.
*Camping is available at near by Oconee State Park.
By actually hiding behind the falls (or some legend-tellers say she hid behind a stump, hence Stumphouse Tunnel), she tricked her pursuers and survived.
