SC Native Pathways

Visitors Guide to American Indian Heritage & Historic Sites in South Carolina

Research/Projects

Upstate Native American Historic/Cultural Sites of South  Carolina: A tourism development perspective (Summer 2007)

Project Investigator: Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D.
Professor & Director, Clemson International Institute for Tourism Research & Development, PRTM Department

The overall purpose of this summer pilot project is to investigate and assess the Upstate's Native American assets and their potential for tourism development and/or further enhancement. The specific objectives include

1. Locate, identify, describe and map using GPS units the Native American heritage sites of South Carolina's Upstate Region.  These include sites of historic Indian villages; historic Indian trails; location of significant battlefields; early documentary records;   trading posts and other historic buildings; an assessment of material culture and artifacts; burial mounds; festivals that incorporate a Native American Indian theme; annual area events; archeological sites; anthropological resources; cultural resources (historic buildings, historic highway markers, monuments, shrines); human resources (crafts people, artisans, storytellers, musicians, Native American interpreters of culture); Native American businesses; regional amenities surrounding Native sites; Art Galleries and other outlets for Native American Indian heritage tourism venues.
   
2. Assess and evaluate assets’ potential for Native American Heritage tourism development.Assessment and evaluation for potential tourism development will be based on the following factors: geographic location of site; size of asset; historical significance and educational value of asset; accessibility; on reservation, public or private land; value as a family attraction; proximity to other established tourist attractions; presence of nearby amenities (or potential for developing them); environmental impact of development; estimated potential economic impact of development.
   
3. Develop and write a first draft of a strategic plan for Native American Heritage Tourism in South Carolina. This will focus on the “state & federally recognized” American Indian tribal entities and their geographic areas.

This pilot study will serve as the basis and foundation for the development of a SC Native American Heritage Corridor. The project is being conducted in collaboration and in partnership with the Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina-ECSIUT, Dr. William Goins, Chief Executive Officer.

SC Tourism Regions|PRTM|SCPRT|Clemson Tourism Institute