A bit of history
If you travel through Long Creek on Highway 76, you drive right past something you might not realize: A memorial honoring one of Long Creek’s founding families.
In 2020, my husband and I purchased a house from Bud and Melinda Matheson. We did not buy the house to live in, but bought it because the property bordered Stephen’s business, MoreSun Timber Frames, and he wanted more room to grow the business.
The house overlooks a grassy field and can be see from Highway 76. It was built in 1969 by Nelson Kenneth “Kenny” Matheson, one of the original apple growers in Long Creek. The house passed to Kenny’s son William Kenneth “Bud” Matheson. Bud and his wife Melinda lived there for many years and raised their children in the house. In 2020 they were looking to downsize and they sold the house to us.
Monument to one of Long Creek's founding Families
The brick monument is across the road from Blue Haven Orchards.
It’s unassuming, verging on ugly at this point, so people probably don’t think twice about it. I have lived in the area since 1999 and drove past the spot thousands of times. I never paid attention to the odd brick structure until the day I walked our new property.
Although time has taken a toll, the monument is worth a closer look.
It reads:
In Memory of
GEORGE W. MATHESON
1862 – 1941
MARY ANN SHEDD MATHESON
1868 – 1957
He was born in Liverpool, England, and came to this
country in 1880.
She was born in Long Creek, South Carolina.
They were married in 1890 and made their home here.
He was a merchant, apple grower, and post master
of Long Creek Post Office from 1920 to 1937.
Erected by their loving children
Charlie M. – Harold – Bertha – Ethel – Laura – Donald – Nelson
Intrigued, I did a little digging to find out more…
Matheson Memorial Highway named in their honor
A Google search led me to a document from the SC State House which provided a surprising amount of history about the people for whom the Matheson Memorial Highway was dedicated. And since there’s not a lot of historical documentation about our area, I thought readers might be interested to learn more about the people who helped shape our community.
You have to wonder: What spurred George Matheson to seek out remote Long Creek, South Carolina all the way from Liverpool, England in the 1880s?
All wording below is credited to the authors of SC Bill 5384.
South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004
AS ADOPTED BY THE SENATE June 2, 2004
H. 5384 Introduced by Reps. Whitmire, Sandifer and Martin
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
“TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 76 IN OCONEE COUNTY FROM THE VILLAGE OF LONG CREEK TO THE CHATTOOGA RIVER THE “MATHESON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY” AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS “MATHESON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY”.
George W. Matheson and wife Mary Ann Shedd
(Photo credit Louise Matheson Bell)
“Whereas, George Matheson came to Long Creek from North Shields, England, prior to 1885. An adventurer, he dared to leave England, the home of his birth, and depart for an area in America which was lovely with its virgin forests, mountains, and streams, but remote, with poor mountain roads, few or no schools, where scratching out a living was difficult; and
Whereas, George and his father, Thomas, who accompanied him on his adventure to the new world purchased 250 acres of the 288 acre Jeremiah Roach land grant property in Long Creek in 1885 for three hundred dollars. Thomas returned to England where he died in 1901, leaving the land to George; and
Whereas, this land is the center of Long Creek today, around which the community is formed. Most of the acreage remains in the Matheson family of descendants up to the great, great, great descendants of the Oconee County pioneer; and
Whereas, the Long Creek fire station and community building rest on five acres that the Matheson children sold to Oconee County for the erection of the Long Creek Elementary School. When school consolidation made the building obsolete, it was converted to its present use; and
Whereas, George built Matheson’s Store in the heart of Long Creek in the late 1890’s or early 1900’s. He was a gentleman whose appearance one never forgot. With his full-face beard, English accent, English plaid cap and unpressed pants, he spoke in a gentle manner, always with grace and integrity. With a cigar held firmly between his teeth, he spread his influence near and far; and
Whereas, his store was the only general store-gasoline station between Westminster and Clayton, Georgia, for many years. It enabled residents to purchase essential goods and gasoline without the time and expense of travel; and
Whereas, George was named Long Creek postmaster in 1920 and served for 17 years, until 1937, when he suffered a stroke and was forced to retire. The position of postmaster stayed in the Matheson family, when son, Charles, was named to the post. When Charles retired, his brother, Nelson Matheson, was named postmaster. He served until 1964. For 44 years, a Matheson was postmaster; and
Whereas, the first telephone in the Long Creek area was in Matheson’s Store and served as the community phone; and
Whereas, George first taught students of all ages in a small school in Long Creek. Educated in England, it was said that he was the most educated man in those mountains; and
Whereas, George was Justice of the Peace, whether he was meting out justice or marring local couples, he gave out advice, filled out legal papers, and gave assistance in a community where many were unable to read or write; and
Whereas, George not only taught in a small Long Creek school, but he was a part of the effort to bring education to mountain children when he joined the Reverend L. H. Raines in founding Long Creek Academy. He was the first secretary of the founding organization according to a story in the archives of the Keowee Courier, a newspaper published in Walhalla since the 1850’s. Several of the Matheson siblings graduated from this school before furthering their education at Furman University; and
Whereas, this man of the mountains, and English immigrant, was a pioneer in making Long Creek an apple-growing region in South Carolina. He and his father-in-law, Nathaniel Shedd, whose farm joined the Matheson’s on the west, were leaders in this movement and for many years, the Matheson-Shedd apple orchards were the first thing one saw surrounding Matheson’s Store on all sides as one drove into Long Creek; and
Whereas, descendants of this remarkable man and his wife, Mary Ann, have enriched Oconee County, the State, and our country. There are doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, government officials and employees, firemen, police officers, mill workers, farmers, orchardists, career military, and others who claim the Matheson legacy; and
Whereas, given the profound impact the Matheson family has had throughout our state’s history, it is fitting and proper to name a portion of United States Highway 76 in Oconee County in their honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 76 in Oconee County from the village of Long Creek to the Chattooga River the “Matheson Memorial Highway” and install appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway that contain the words “Matheson Memorial Highway”.
Be it further resolved that neither the naming of the portion of United States Highway 76, nor the installation of markers or signs, shall effect the emergency medical services addressing system.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.—-XX—-“
