Town of West Union, Highway 11 exit ramp
#204 Rising StarQuilter Hannah Bowling StancilSponsor Town of West UnionEntering the town of West Union, South Carolina, at the Highway 11 East exit ramp, one immediately sees the Rising Star quilt panel. The Town of West Union sponsored this quilt panel to welcome you to enjoy the town, its shops and hospitality. This panel is a replica of a fabric quilt made by Hannah Bowling Stancil, a resident of West Union. Hannah began quilting when she was 12 years old under her grandmother’s tutelage.West Union, in northwest corner of the South Carolina, on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was originally home to the Cherokee Indians. Under duress, they gave up the majority of their lands in 1777 under the Treaty of DeWitt’s’ Corner and in 1816 ceded their last remaining lands under the Treaties of Washington.Two prominent individuals who played a large role in the history of the town of West Union were John Gresham, a man originally from Culpepper County, Virginia who settled in the Keowee River area in 1783, and his son Joseph Grisham. Today West Union is home to 300 inhabitants; it is described by Judge Alexander Macaulay as a “community minded town where we live, work and enjoy life with our neighbors.”
Residence, 103 S. John Street
#83 James River BluesQuilter Grace James WhitakerSponsor Stacie and James PowellGrace James Whitaker made the James River Blues quilt. An antique reproduction quilt designed by Paula Barnes, well known specialist and author of books on quilt reproductions. The James family was originally from Ireland and settled in the Mountain Rest area sometime in the 1800’s. She began quilting in 1952 in Mountain Rest when her mother‐in‐law, Clemmer James, taught her how to quilt and included her in projects creating quilts of necessity for their home. Grace passed down the art of quilting to her daughter who has made many quilts as gifts for her children. The pattern name, James River blues, was rather serendipitous to the quilter. James River Blues was chosen to honor the James family and to express their love for the Chattooga River and bluegrass music.
Residence, 503 East Main Street,
#276 The Ruby Duncan QuiltQuilter Ruby DuncanSponsor Emily RobertsRuby Duncan was born to JHA and Ethel Beattie in 1903. As one of eight siblings, she was always very intelligent and even went on to be the valedictorian of her graduating class at Walhalla High School. She attended Winthrop University where she graduated in 1921 with a teaching degree. After earning her degree, she moved to Mountain Rest, along with her whole family, and taught at Neville School. She later met her husband, Jess, and had six children, Harold, Horace, Bruce, Joanne, Iris, and Beth. As a homemaker, she loved to sing, play the organ, and work on puzzles with her children. Ruby and her family helped to found Mona Vista Baptist Church where she was a very active member and a lifelong Sunday school teacher. Ruby passed away in 1975. She has many grandchildren and even more great grandchildren to carry on her legacy.The pattern for this quilt is the Shadow Star from the Aunt Martha's series: Quilts: Modern - Colonial, 1954. Stars are probably the most common motif used on quilts. There are hundreds of star patterns. A star pattern is not an easy design to cut or sew. Precision is extremely important as any inaccuracy in cutting or piecing is multiplied as pieces are added. If poorly pieced, the quilt will not lie flat when finished.
Dresden Plate, S. Ann & Main Streets
#232 Dresden PlateQuilt Attributed to the Rimrodt family of WalhallaSponsor Walhalla City CouncilThe history of the Dresden Plate’s pattern’s has a direct link to Walhalla, as it reflects the decorative tableware made in Dresden, Germany. The quilter’s family arrived during the 1840’s as German immigrants to the South Carolina low country. They joined the German Colonization Society in 1849, and in 1856 purchased 700 acres in the Walhalla area. This extraordinary example is attributed to the Rimrodt family of Walhalla and has been in the care of descendants since its creation.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street. Complete story can be found on our website search for quilt #232.
Main Street to the Mountians Mural, 300 E.Main Strteet
Main Street to the MountiansBy Libby ImbodyThis mural was commissioned by the owner of Sunni Ann Rustic Shop in Walhalla. It is painted on the side of her retail store and is expected to have a spacein front of the mural where people can sit, relax and take photos.
Sweet Rose Nine Patch, S. Spring & Main Streets
#227 Sweet Rose Nine PatchQuilter Molly Jane Collins OelkersSponsor Walhalla City CouncilMolly Jane Collins Oelkers, who was born in 1882, created this lovely quilt. Composed of simple squares of pink, blue, and rose printed satin, it is charming in its simplicity. The rose print adds an air of innocence, and the small size of this quilt suggests it might have been meant for a child.She was the wife of Richard Dietrich “Rich” Oelkers II, who preceded her in death by twenty years in 1945. Rich and Molly Oelker had six children, three sons and three daughters. Many of their descendants continue to call Walhalla home, including the Fussell, Phillips, and Underwood families, who gratefully possess many of the old recipes and the knitted and crocheted handiwork of Molly Jane Collins Oelkers.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street. Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #227.
Birds in Air, N. Spring & Main Streets
#230 Birds in AirQuilter Eulah Grant Phillips (1895 - 1940)Sponsor Walhalla City CouncilThe quilter of this charming Birds in Air quilt was a beloved teacher whose dedication to her students was so great that on the day she married in 1916, her fiancé came for her on her lunch hour, took her to the Oconee County Courthouse where they exchanged vows, then returned her to her schoolchildren. Mrs. Phillips was a skilled and abundant quilter, known for her gift. Luckily, many of her creations are still owned by members of her family. This colorful quilt features fanciful birds cut from repeated companion fabrics, which were then appliqued to soft blue cotton. Quilted circles and linear patterns compliment the striking design.Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #230.
Palmetto Sawtooth Star, N. Catherine & Main Street
#229 Saw ToothQuilter Eulah Grant Phillips (1885 - 1940)Sponsor Walhalla City CouncilThis unique quilt features a very old and frequently used pattern called the “Sawtooth Star.” Very graphic and clean in design and execution, it uses of a very distinct printed fabric featuring a plant resembling the palmetto, South Carolina’s State Tree. This pattern, offset by the gold triangles creating the “sawtooth,” suggests that it was both an artistic and a utilitarian creation by Eulah Grant Phillips, a Walhalla native, born here in 1895. She taught first grade at the Walhalla Graded School in the early decades of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Phillips was recognized as a creative and engaging teacher as well as a prolific quilter who practiced her craft until her death in 1940.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street. Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #229.
Basket Quilt, S. Catherine & Main Streets
#228 Basket QuiltQuilter Adalene Wendelken OelkersSponsor Walhalla City CouncilAdalene Wendelken Oelkers was the daughter of one of the 37 charter members of the German Colonization Society. Her parents emigrated from the Kingdom of Hanover in northern Germany to the South Carolina low country. The names of the charter members appear on the obelisk in front of St. John’s Lutheran Church which they founded. According to quilt historian Barbara Brackman, the first recorded example of a basket quilt was in 1855.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street. Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #228..
Visit Oconee SC Office, 224 East Main Street (Quilt block is located on rear of building facing East South Broad Street)
#49 Mountain and LakesQuilter Jenny GrobuskySponsor Visit Oconee SCThe quilt design shows a leaf in green and brown to reflect the changing seasons, a blue lake, a river and waterfalls with a mountain in the background. It depicts the natural resources of Oconee County, including mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, forests, and the four seasons. The outer edge of the design is an “O” for Oconee and the leaf’s left edge is a “C” for County. The quilt was made by Jenny Grobusky from a design provided through Visit Oconee SC Office.The Visit Oconee SC Office is a wealth of information and highlights the spectacular assets and natural wonders that are unique to the area. They offer resources to locate eateries, places to stay, attractions, calendar of events, waterfall maps and many other exciting places to see and visit while touring Oconee County. Should you have questions about what the local area has to offer they are the folks to ask.Visit Oconee SC website click here.Phone (800) 910-4371
Old St. John’s Meeting House, 200 S. Catherine Street
#66 Storm at SeaQuilter Alberta Ramey Bowers (1926 - 2007)Sponsor Mountain Lakes Region of the South Carolina National Heritage CorridorOld St. John’s Meeting House began serving parishioners of the Episcopal Church in 1889, built in the Rural Gothic architectural style by master builder John Kaufmann. Alberta Ramey Bowers made the fabric quilt for a fund raiser. Mrs. Bowers was a generous Oconee County native who donated many quilts to support community projects.A detailed history of the Meeting House can be found on Brief History of Old St. John's Meeting House.
Residence, 301 Jaynes Street
#65 Hot CottonQuilter Dixie HaywoodSponsor Mrs. Mary Lou Cushman, in honor of per parents Rachel Turner McGuffin and John Q. McGuffinThe history of the textile industry in Walhalla is subject near and dear to Mrs. Cushman of Walhalla. The Cotton Boll Quilt honors her parents, Rachel Turner McGuffin, and John Q. McGuffin, both of whom worked in the Walhalla textile mills. It is mounted on her home in the "Mill Village". The pattern was originally quilted by Dixie Haywood, noted teacher, quilter and writer of books about quilting. “This is a traditional Carolina block made in the late 19th century. It’s usually made on a white background with Flying Geese sashing, but I changed that part of the design with a yellow background to evoke a hot summer field. That’s why I call my version, ‘Hot Cotton!’Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #65.
Walhalla Depot at 211 South College Street
#224 Out of the BoxQuilter Jenny GrobuskySponsor Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailOut of the Box, is a “Giant Dahlia” quilt modeled after one made by master quilter Jenny Grobusky. The Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail sponsored this block and donated it to the City of Walhalla in honor of Jenny Grobusky’s contributions to the upstate quilting community.The City of Walhalla chose the old Walhalla Depot as the location for this block because of its historic significance to the city. The depot was built in 1887 and the first train arrived at the new depot at 5 p.m. on November 14, 1887. The depot was given to the City of Walhalla by Norfolk-Southern Railroad Company in 1987 after they discontinued train service to Walhalla. The city moved it to its present site where it now serves as the focal point of the Walhalla Depot Park, also known as Kaufmann Square.
Mural, Be, 110 S College Street
By Libby Imbody Teen Class110 S College St, Walhalla, SCThis was the culmination of a teen art class with nine students contributing to the mural. The initial layer contains adjectives that the kids came up with such as "kind", "yourself", etc. Media used was aerosol and the mural was completed in 2020.
Double Wedding Ring, S. Collsge & Main Streets
#231 Double Wedding Ring QuiltQuilter Mrs. Sophia Rimrodt RitterSponsor Walhalla City CouncilThis admired and challenging pattern evolved from a European one that may have been brought to the states by German immigrants as early as the late 1600’s. Many charming stories are linked to its name. Early examples used appliqued rings; the piecing of the rings themselves is thought to have begun in the early 20th century. This beautifully executed example is attributed to Mrs. Sophia Rimrodt Ritter.In 1891 Sophia married Frederick Christopher Ritter. Frederick, known as “Fred,” was the proprietor of a drug store located at 214 East Main Street where the family lived upstairs. This location is currently occupied by Twenty 8 West and Lofts on Main. When Fred died in 1896, Sophia remained in the Main Street house and sadly witnessed its destruction during the “great fire of 1898.” Undaunted, Sophia began construction of the current building with its distinctive bay window within ten days of the fire. From this perch, she kept a watchful eye on the happenings on Main Street for many years.The beautiful double wedding ring quilt has been kept in constant good condition by her grandchildren: Fred Ritter, now deceased, Marion Ritter, and Louise Ritter WaldrepThis project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street.Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #231.
Chimney Sweep, N.College & Main Streets
#226 Chimney SweepQuilt Attributed to the Carrie and Henry William Brandt Family.Sponsor Walhalla City CouncilThis lovely, yet simple and functional hand-pieced and hand-quilted Chimney Sweep Quilt is attributed to the Carrie and Henry William Brandt Family. Both were descendants of the early settlers of Walhalla, with their families arriving here in the 1850’s.It was likely pieced in the 1920’s. his quilt was made out of fabric on hand, from “worn out or outgrown” garments, as well as feed and flour sacks used on the Brandt farm and in the home. As a reflection of the times and the thrift and industry of its creators, smaller remnants were often pieced together in order to complete the appropriate-sized square to be cut out and joined.This design is sometimes called a Signature Block or Album quilt, as it results in “blank squares” so that embroidered names, important dates, flowers, symbols, or other images can be added to mark important occasions. This quilt, however, was made strictly for use in the home for warmth and as a bed coverlet. Its warmth relies on thick cotton filler, likely grown and combed by its owners, held in place by hand stitching.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjuction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of the Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street.Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #226.
Old Oconee Inn, 101 East North Broad Street
#7 Goose in the PondQuilter Caroline HarrisSponsor Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailGoose in the Pond was among the traditional patterns included in the first known catalog of quilt patterns published by the Ladies Art Company, ca. 1890. Other names for the pattern include Young Man’s Fancy, Geometric Garden, and Bachelor’s Puzzle. Since 1924 these buildings have served the community as a school for grades 1-12, then the SDOC Administration building, studio space for various community arts programs, the Walhalla Performing Arts Center annex and now being renovated to become the Old Oconee Inn.
Crazy Quilt, S. Tugaloo & Main Streets
#225 Crazy QuiltQuilt Attributed to Brandt FamilyThe Brandt Crazy Quilt is a lovely example of a “crazy quilt” and was made as a wedding present for Henry William Brandt and Caroline “Carrie” Kuemmerer who married March 18, 1903 at Carrie’s family home west of Walhalla. Like other crazy quilts, the Brandt wedding quilt was constructed from small, randomly sized pieces of silk, taffeta, wool, and damask. It is likely that these were salvaged from clothing and other domestic sewing projects. Using these family fabrics in the quilt’s design added to the sentiment of the gift. On each piece the sewer has embroidered symbols, initials, names, leaves, or flowers to emphasize the wedding theme. Each family member or friend was responsible for completing a “square” that was then appliqued onto the foundation material to become the quilt top.Many descendants of Conrad and Carrie Brandt live happily in the Walhalla area and are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Some continue to live on the original property purchased from the German Colonization Society.This project was commissioned by the Walhalla City Council in 2017 in conjunction with Walhalla Partners for Progress and the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail to honor the founding families of Walhalla. The story of each quilt is placed on the back side of each quilt providing an opportunity to learn about the founding families while strolling along Main Street.Complete story can be found on our website, search for quilt #225..
Oconee History Museum, 123 Browns Square Drive,
#6 Rocky Mountain RoadQuilter Mae Land TallySponsor Wynward Point Ladies GroupThe original quiltwas made by Mae Land Tally, a native of Mountain Rest, SC. She was only 14 when she started the quilt. After spending two summers on her grandparents’ porch cutting, piecing, hand sewing and quilting her Rocky Mountain Road.was completed in 1930.The original Rocky Mountain Road quilt along with several other historic quilts from Oconee County are on display in the Oconee History Museum housed in a renovated Tobacco Factory (c.1892).WebsiteHours Tuesday thru Saturday, 11:00am – 5:00pmPhone 864-638-2224
Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina, 70 Short Street
#35 Oconee FlagQuilter Jenny GrobuskySponsor Cherokee Bear Clan of SCThe official Oconee County flag quilt was made by Jenny Grobusky and given to the Oconee Heritage Museum and is on loan to the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina for display. Native Americans lived for thousands of years in what is now Oconee County. The name “Oconee” (AE-quo-nee) is an ancient Cherokee word meaning “land beside the water.”"The Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina provides a preserve for a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the Cherokee heritage of South Carolina. We gather and provide a repository for artifacts and historical information relating to the inhabitants, formation and development of the Cherokee in South Carolina and provide a facility for continuing educational opportunities for students, county residents, and visitors to Oconee County."Open to the public Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11am to 4pm.WebsitePhone: (864) 710-9210
Oconee Military Museum, 13 Short Street
#68 Yellow RibbonQuilter Marilyn DelaySponsor Oconee Veterans MuseumThe “Support Our Troops Ribbon” pattern honors all veterans of Oconee County. Marilyn Delay of Edwardsville, IL produced and donated this quilt to the Oconee Military Museum. The fabric wall quilt is displayed in the conference room. The Oconee Military Museum is the “Old Rock Building” behind the courthouse on Short Street. It was built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is constructed from rock found at nearby historic Stumphouse Tunnel. The museum stands to honor all veterans and offers an opportunity for visitors to see firsthand what veterans have contributed and often sacrificed for our country, our freedom, and our world.Website13 Short StreetTelephone: 864-638-5455Open Thursday thru Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
O'Kelly Heating & Air, 314 West Main Street
Oconee Bell MuralBy Libby Imbody314 W Main St, Walhalla, SCO'Kelley Heating & Air commissioned this piece that balances bright wedges of color with white linear sketches of the Oconee Bell flowers that are native to this area. Latex and Aerosol, 2020
Residence, 517 W. Main Street
#95 StarsQuilter Mattie Ryan BlackwellSponsor Cissy TerryThe quilter, Mattie Ryan Blackwell from Florence, South Carolina, met her husband from County Cork in Ireland and married him in 1885. Her sister was born on the night Sherman burned Columbia during the War Between the States. Their mother and father could see Columbia burning from Sparrow Swamp near Darlington, South Carolina. Over sixty years after her marriage, she registered to vote for the first time in her life but died in early 1953 before getting a chance to vote for Eisenhower. Fortunately, her descendants honored her life by sponsoring the Stars quilt.
Oconee County Public Library, 501 W. South Broad Street
#8 Star in StarQuilter Jenny GrobuskySponsor Seneca Newcomers ClubStar within a Star is an elaboration of a traditional “long-legged” nine-patch star, with additional radiating points and a smaller star tucked in the middle. Such variations demonstrate the way quilt makers have continued to create new designs based on familiar prototypes. Jenny is a prolific quilter, and her work is distinguished by the vibrancy of its color and design improvisations.The main branch in Walhalla is open Monday through Friday, 9-6, and Saturdays, 9-1.WebsitePhone: (864) 638-4133
James M. Brown Elementary, 225 Coffee Road,
#45 Double Wedding RingsQuilter UnknownSponsor Allen Medford, in memory of his wife, CeCe.This classic double wedding ring block whose maker is unknown comes from a favorite quilt of the late CeCe Medford. CeCe and her husband Allen Medford were quilt collectors, and this double wedding ring was CeCe’s favorite.James M. Brown Elementary School was selected as the site for this lovely block in recognition of CeCe Medford’s time as an educator in Walhalla. Under the tutelage of Jane Boling and Lynn Geiben, UHQT production team members, Fourth and Fifth grade students painted the Double Wedding Ring quilt block in 2012.
Oconee County Government Annex Conference Room at 415 S. Pine Street
#111 Building BlocksQuilter Ellen HendersonSponsor Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailThe Building Blocks quilt block quilt block is displayed inside the Conference Room. .The Building Block pattern first appeared in the Chicago Tribune January 15.1938, with the name of Nancy Cabot. According to Jinney Beyer, Author of The Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns, the onepatch design is an arrangement of multiple patches of identical shape with varied colors. Ellen Henderson of Landrum, SC, made the fabric block replicated for this quilt panel..The Oconee County Government Annex was originally Pine Street Elementary School from the early 1950’s until 1996. The County acquired the building in 1996 and began centralizing many of its offices to this location in 1997. Currently about 60 alumni of Pine Street Elementary are working in this building. The County Council Chamber once served as the school auditorium.
Mural, City Pool, 102 N Maple Street
By Libby Imbody102 N Maple St, Walhalla, SCCommissioned by the City of Walhalla in 2019 to enhance they city park and public pool facility. Media used: latex and aerosol.
End of the Road Studio, 255 E. Bear Swamp Road
#97 Log CabinQuilters Judy Dubose and Robin Anne Cooper DuboseThe quilt display at End of the Road Studios is a departure from the typical quilts on the trail. This quilt is made up of 16 one‐foot squares with magnets on the back. Visitors to the studios will be able to move the squares around on a metal wall to create whatever strikes their fancy in quilt designs. The original Log Cabin Quilt was a joint effort by Judy Dubose and her daughter‐in‐law, Robin Anne Cooper Dubose.Plan time to wonder through the studio, you won't be disappointed. Their hours are flexible so call ahead.WebsitePhone (864) 506-6116 (Robin), (864) 638-8327 (Stan)Facebook page.
