Clemson, SC

The first Clemson University Blue Cheese was cured in Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel in 1941. Since then, the homemade gourmet item has worked its way into the hearts and stomachs of an ever growing number of aficionados. The history and folklore surrounding this scenic spot in the Blue Ridge mountains is legendary in the Piedmont area of South Carolina. The name Stumphouse originated from the Indian Legend of Isaqueena. For more info on Stumphouse Tunnel visit my previous blog: Wordless Wednesday - Ever Been To Stumphouse Tunnel? And for more info on Issaqueena Falls, visit:
Speechless Sunday - Issaqueena Falls - Oconee Count SC


The Cheese Research Project

The unfinished Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel lay idle for 80 years, visited by tourists and picnickers through the years, but serving no useful purpose. In 1940 an alert Clemson College professor recognized the possibilities of curing blue mold cheese in the tunnel. With this thought in mind, the Clemson College Dairy Department began experimenting with the manufacture of blue cheese and curing it in the tunnel. The debris which had accumulated during three quarters of a century was cleared out, equipment for cheese curing was moved in, and the project was off to a successful beginning. The outbreak of World War II in 1941 limited production, and the work was discontinued in 1944. Clemson lost skilled specialists; the milk used for cheese was needed for aviation cadets quartered on campus; and litigation arose as to the ownership of the tunnel. In 1951 Clemson College was successful in purchasing the tunnel. With adequate milk supplies again available, Operation Blue Cheese was re-initiated. Operations were resumed on an experimental basis in 1953. Selected Brown Swiss and Holstein milk from Clemson dairy herd consisting of 680 animals was used to make the Roquefort-style blue mold cheese. The cheese was manufactured on campus, transported 30 miles, and cured in the tunnel. In October 1953, some 2500 pounds of Blue cheese was curing in the depths of Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel. The production was directed by D.H. Graham, a native of Mississippi and a recent Ph.D. from Iowa State College. He joined the Clemson Dairy staff in August, 1953, to initiate the manufacture of Blue cheese and carry on other dairy products research. Indications were that the product would be ready for market in April or May 1954. The Clemson Dairy Department was pleasantly anticipating the time when cheese connoisseurs over the country could again enjoy the tangy, piquant flavor of Clemson Blue Cheese. Blue cheese was cured in the tunnel from 1953 to 1956. The environmental conditions in the tunnel were carefully analyzed, mold strains suited for these conditions were developed, and curing procedures were investigated. Curing in the tunnel was suspended during the summer months because of the warm temperature.

The Agricultural Center in Newman Hall was built at Clemson in 1956. Air conditioned cheese rooms were designed to duplicate the tunnel's high humidity and temperature. Research studies were begun on the campus early in 1956. The air conditioned rooms have eliminated the need for suspending operations during the warm summer months, which was necessary in the tunnel. In 1958, all manufacturing and curing of Blue Cheese was conducted on campus.

In 1970, the tunnel was leased to the Pendleton Historical District Commission, which converted the area into a picnic spot and tourist attraction. The south entrance of the tunnel was a historic landmark in South Carolina for many years. After a rockslide inside the tunnel in the mid 1990's, the tunnel was closed to visitors. After strenuous safety testing, the city of Walhalla has reopened the tunnel as a landmark site.

Clemson Blue Cheese was always been an artisanal cheese, made the old fashioned way. Each 288 gallon vat makes a batch of about 240 lbs, which is then salted, waxed and aged for 6 months. When it is ready, each hoop is scraped and packaged by hand. Each lot is kept separate, and meticulous record keeping assures quality at every step.

Speechless Sunday - Old Stone Church Cemetery in Clemson SC

Many of the graves are confederate soldiers.

The Old Stone Church and Cemetery is a historic site in Clemson, South Carolina. Some of the graves date back in the 1700's... It is so strange to see tombstones that old.. There are some that are so old, you can no longer read anything on them. Yesterday's post was on the Church at this site.. Here is a link: Silent Saturday - Old Stone Church In Clemson SC

Old Stone Church is located in Clemson, SC and was built in 1802. The church was constructed of field stone and mortar over the period from 1797 to 1802. It was a simple building with wooden pews and a pulpit. The Old Stone Church and Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. The church was built by Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. Although the church is no longer in service, there is a cemetery on site that contains numerous old tombstones including those of Pickens and his family. I will have some photos for tomorrow of the cemetery.

Here is a link to tomorrow's post which is about the cemetary: Speechless Sunday - Old Stone Church Cemetery in Clemson SC

Today after lunch, my husband and I visited a nearby park with a pond. There we saw huge Koi, several turtles, and a few ducks. The main attraction we saw however was this Blue Heron. He was obviously used to people being around because he let us get really close. The day was beautiful and sunny and a warm 92 degrees.. :)