Rich in history and natural beauty, Walhalla’s haunted Stumphouse Park is home to hiking trails, picnic areas, and two unique attractions: a 100-foot waterfall and an abandoned railroad tunnel. Legend has it a melancholy waterfall spirit and doomed laborers haunt the scenic park.

The Legend of Issaqueena Falls

Situated on Issaqueena Lake Creek, Issaquena Falls bears the name of a legendary Native American woman who risked it all for love. Known as Issaqueena, or sometimes Cateechee, the young woman lived in the Cherokee town of Keowee in the 1750s. She fell in love with a handsome white trader named Allan Francis, but fearing disapproval, the couple kept their romance a secret. Allan lived at a trading post in Ninety Six, so named because settlers believed it was 96 miles from the Keowee settlement.

One day, Issaqueena learned the Cherokees planned to attack the trading post and kill or enslave everyone inside. Desperate to save her love, Issaqueena stole a horse and rode the nearly hundred miles to the fort. She successfully sounded the alarm and led Allan through rugged terrain to safety. When the Cherokee Chief Karuga learned of her betrayal, he ordered her immediate capture and punishment.

In one version of the legend, Issaqueena escaped capture by hiding in a small cave tucked behind what is now Issaqueena Falls. Another claims Isaqueena jumped to her death rather than surrender. In yet another version, Chief Karuga’s men tied Issaqueena to a tree and shot her to death with arrows.

Whatever the truth, Issaqueena’s ghostly figure now walks along the edge of the falls. Before her appearance, visitors notice a sudden drop in temperature or feel oddly uneasy. Others hear disembodied screams or spot strange shadows darting through the forest.

Fact or Fiction?

While there’s no direct evidence of a woman named Issaqueena, a Cherokee woman did warn Ninety Six officials of impending attacks. In 1760, Captain James Francis told local leaders the fort successfully thwarted Cherokee raids due to the woman’s warning.

So where did the legend of Issaqueena come from? Most likely a descriptive poem titled “Cateechee of Keeowee” by Reverend J.W. Daniel. Born in Pickens County, South Carolina, Daniel attended Furman University before studying law at the University of Virginia. He also served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Daniel wrote the poem in 1898 and claimed the story was based on historical facts.

Tunnel Spirits Haunt Stumphouse Park

If Issaqueena Falls isn’t enough to spook visitors, there’s always Stumphouse Tunnel. Just a short drive from the falls, this unfinished railway tunnel extends approximately 1,600 feet into the mountain before abruptly ending. Construction began in the 1850s, and officials planned for the tunnel to be part of a rail line connecting Charleston, South Carolina with Knoxville, Tennessee. However, the outbreak of the Civil War disrupted the project and financial difficulties prevented its completion.

According to local legend, a sudden cave-in trapped workers digging a shaft in the tunnel. Despite their best efforts, rescuers couldn’t reach the workers and the men perished in the darkness. Now the buried workers haunt the old tunnel, moaning in pain and begging for rescue.

Many visitors to Stumphouse Tunnel experience a range of strange phenomena. Some have heard unexplained noises, such as moaning or screaming, while others have seen apparitions or shadows moving through the darkness. Some have felt ghostly hands touching them or tugging on their clothing.

Paranormal investigation teams have also explored the tunnel. Some captured strange images on their equipment, such as orbs of light and misty apparitions. Others felt a strong presence or heard strange noises, such as whispers or footsteps.

The ghostly legends of Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel intrigue visitors. Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just looking for a unique adventure, the haunted Stumphouse Park offers a captivating glimpse into South Carolina history.