Our Journey to Upstate South Carolina — Part 2
Part 2: Finding Our Forever Farm
When I left off in Part 1, all the animals had made the trip from Tennessee, and we were settled onto a small, 2-acre transition property. That was always meant to be temporary. This post is about how we found the place we now call home—and the history that came with it.
The Search
After a little rest, I started looking for a farm. Land for sale was hard to come by, and after a couple of disappointments and some frustration, I began to wonder if it would ever happen.
Then I drove past a "for sale by owner" sign just a few miles from where we were living. I called and left a message, explaining that I was the alpaca farm down the road. They called back right away.
52 Acres (I Only Wanted 10)
It turned out to be 52 acres—much more than I had in mind. I would have been happy with 10!
The trustees had just decided to list the property with a real estate agent and planned to put it on the market in about a week. My agent arranged a showing before it went public. I made an offer right away, and they accepted.
It Felt Like Home
The house was built in 1982 and hasn't had many updates since, but the moment I stepped inside, it felt like home. I knew that with fresh paint and new flooring, it would be a comfortable place for Mom and me.
The land is just as special. About a third is pasture, and two-thirds is forest. A creek runs west to east through the middle, another flows north along the eastern side, and Goucher Creek forms the back border of the property.
History Right Around the Corner
In the few days I waited to see the house, I learned that Fort Thicketty is about a mile away. The fort was the site of a 1780 standoff between Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution. Today, the historic cabin, grounds, and walking trail are part of the Cherokee County Museum. I've since joined Friends of Thicketty, the committee that helps look after the site.
Goucher Baptist Church is even closer, less than half a mile away. Founded around 1770 as Thicketty Branch Baptist Church, it's the oldest church in the Broad River Association, and several Patriots were among its early members.
In July, my church held a special service honoring the Patriots who were early members of the congregation. A card listing more than 30 names was handed out, with the information compiled by a former pastor who knows a great deal about the history of this area.
I became particularly interested in one Patriot because he shared a last name with both the previous owner of my farm and the trustee who sold me the property. The previous owner and the trustee were uncle and nephew, and their family connection led me to explore their ancestry further. Through my research on FamilySearch, I discovered that three of the Patriots listed were direct ancestors of their family, tracing back through the trustee's grandfather, who was also the previous owner's father.
That discovery sparked my curiosity about my own family tree. I began exploring FamilySearch and following family trees, digging into the connections between the people who lived here long ago and the families who still have ties to this area. Along the way, I discovered that I have ancestors who lived in South Carolina, too.
South Carolina is rich in Revolutionary War history. We're about 30 minutes from Cowpens National Battlefield and about 45 minutes from Kings Mountain National Military Park. The farm is also conveniently located about 20 minutes off I-85 near Gaffney, between Charlotte and Spartanburg.
Caretaker of a Working Farm's Legacy
I don't own the original farmhouse. It was carved off with an acre of land long ago, but I do own most of the original farm.
The previous owner's grandfather farmed this land, growing cotton and corn, most likely. There's a wonderful photograph of him standing in front of his barn with his two mules, and it hangs in the Cherokee County Museum.
Raising alpacas for fiber is a very different kind of farming, but I feel connected to him and to this beautiful land.
That connection goes a little further. The previous owner was an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam era, and I'm an Air Force veteran too. I have a soft spot for that shared bond, and it made this farm feel even more like it was meant for me.
There's even an old sharecropper's cabin on the property. It needs major work, but for now, it's still standing, adding to the charm and history of the place.
When I tell people I went through a couple of disappointments before finding this farm, I also tell them that God had His plan. Everything fell into place: a comfortable home, beautiful land, and a place in the heart of an area steeped in history.
I'm beyond blessed and happy to be the new caretaker of this special place.
In the next post, I'll share what we've been building since moving onto the farm in February and where we're headed from here.
Stewart Heritage Farm is settling into life in Upstate South Carolina after over 20 years raising alpacas, including a decade in Tennessee. Follow along as we share more of our story and get ready for an exciting new chapter! We're preparing to open our farm shop and welcome visitors for an open house on December 19, 2026. In the meantime, you can shop our online store for alpaca yarn, roving, and handmade goods.