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Jessica Nelms

"The Spirit of Oconee" monument, a gift of the Cherokee Bear Clan to the county, will officially be dedicated Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at 10 a.m. in front of the Oconee County Courthouse in Walhalla.

WALHALLA — Cherokee descendents’ monumental gift to the county — “The Spirit of Oconee” — is at long last standing tall on the sidewalk directly in front of the Oconee County Courthouse.

On Saturday, local and state elected officials, dignitaries, special guests and the general public are invited to join members of the Cherokee Bear Clan to dedicate the monument. The crowning moment comes nine years after the symbol of Cherokee heritage was first proposed and approved by the Oconee County Council.

Current Council Chairman Reg Dexter is scheduled to address those gathered for the dedication ceremony set for 10 a.m.

Cherokee Bear Clan Chief James Nichols, whose hands — along with those of some helpers — labored with tons of stone to shape and create the monument’s base, also will address the gathering.

Nichols will also officially unveil plans to turn an abandoned school district building, located across the street from The Spirit of Oconee, into a Cherokee museum.

Luther Lyle, chairman of the Oconee Arts and Historical Commission, said Tuesday that the building, which has sat empty for 10 years, is being saved from demolition to create what he says would be the first museum in South Carolina that would be completely dedicated to Cherokee history, heritage and culture.

“I’ve already written a grant for the project,” Lyle said. “We should know something in January.”

The Oconee Heritage Center presented the Cherokee Bear Clan, whose members are Cherokee descendents from Oconee and Pickens that never left the area, with a 20-year lease on the building. Lyle said the lease agreement stipulates that a museum must be open within five years.

Nichols said he is confident the project would not take that long to bring to fruition.

“If we get the money, I personally feel the museum would be completed in two years.”

Indecision over where the monument would be placed kept The Spirit of Oconee under wraps for years. Original plans called for the monument to be on the courthouse grounds. That was rejected because it was feared that it could hinder clear passage of emergency vehicles on the courthouse parking area.

County officials also pointed at ongoing discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice to mitigate American with Disabilities Acts issues as another reason for the delay.

The way was finally cleared for the monument to be placed on the street facing the courthouse, Lyle said.

The monument is a fitting gift to the county, which takes its name from the Cherokee word that means: “land beside the water.”

‘I’m glad we’re finally getting it done,” Nichols said. “We’re excited.”

carlos@dailyjm.com | (864) 882-2375