Many people are aware that, over the years, as the many man-made lakes in South Carolina were formed by damming various rivers, many homes and even entire towns were relocated because they were going to be flooded as part of the project(s). Much evidence of the ruins of those towns still exists, some of it visible above the water line and some of it below, only visible to those who are willing to dive to the bottom of a lake to see it. Check out this eerie island cemetery in South Carolina… if you dare:

When Lake Hartwell and the Lake Project got underway in 1955 (completed in 1963), there were people and towns displaced by the efforts.
Flickr/ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
One such place was named Harrisburg Plantation, built by a Revolutionary War soldier, John Harris, Jr. (1762-1845), who lived at Harrisburg Plantation for more than 40 years. Harris would become a high sheriff, practice medicine to heal the locals, and also become a judge (motivated dude). Eventually, Harris and his wife Mary died and were buried in a majestic cemetery on the highest hill of their plantation.
And in spite of Harrisburg Plantation's imminent flooding during the construction of Lake Hartwell and the Lake Project, their graves are still there (well above the water line) - along with at least 57 more.
Google / maps
During the construction, the Harris family refused to have the remains of their loved ones moved inland. The matter even went to court, where, in the end, the government washed its hands of being responsible for the graves or maintaining the island.
That tall hill where the cemetery sits is still above the water line on Lake Hartwell. and anyone can visit.
Google/Lee Scott
Family members and those who wish to pay respect, or are simply curious, still visit Harrisburg Plantation. However, it's almost never called that anymore. On the map, it's referred to as Cemetery Island. If you paddle southeast from Oconee Point Campground, you'll reach the sandy shore of Cemetery Island in no time.
Once you arrive, just look for the highest point and start walking.
Google/Angela Hemingway
But before you do, you should know the OTHER name for Cemetery Island... is Ghost Island (because of course it is). Not many people have heard of Ghost Island or Cemetery Island or the 50 or so graves that remain at the top of the hill... but they're there, waiting to be discovered, or maybe to surprise an unexpecting explorer one day who doesn't realize what they found.

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Many of the graves here are from the 1700s and are of the above-ground variety.
Google/Joe Lester
Supposedly, the graves are all still in their original places and have never been moved. There are 11 graves with identified folks buried within, and many more - at least 48 - with unknown souls therein. It's impossible now to learn who they were, as their identities died with them.
The graves include that of the plantation's owner, John Harris, Jr, and his family.
Google/Lee Scott
In spite of the Ghost Island moniker given to Cemetery Island, we couldn't find a single report of ghost sightings at the cemetery. However, the island has long been an informal camping spot on Lake Hartwell for its ease of access and sandy beach on which to pull up a kayak or small boat.
It's a safe bet that while some wayward campers are aware of the graveyard at the highest point, other campers are not.
Google/Jim Phares
Perhaps there's been an occasional paranormal occurrence on Ghost Island that fuel the name. After all, a family DID lose their land for the project (as did many), and then went to battle with the government to save the sacred ground on which ancestors lay interred. Is it possible those ancestors are just welcoming the company and happy to see visitors after being stranded in the middle of a lake?
You'll have to pay a visit and then weigh in on this theory.
Google/Lee Scott
Do you even believe in ghosts? It's difficult to live in South Carolina and not have an occasional head-turning event that can make you wonder even a little bit, right?

Have you heard of Cemetery Island (a.k.a. Ghost Island, Lake Hartwell, and Harrisburg Plantation) located on South Carolina’s scenic Lake Hartwell? Even better… have you already visited and did you experience anything paranormal? We’d love to know, so feel free to join the discussion in our comments!

For another South Carolina flooded ghost town whose ruins are visible above the water line, Ferguson might just be something that interests you.

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Ghost Island Lake Hartwell

Tori Jane | December 24, 2022
  1. What is the story behind Cemetery Island at Lake Hartwell? 

A long time ago – during the late 1700s – this little island was a plantation known as the Harrisburg Plantation. While nowadays the entire plantation – or what was left of it – is underwater, thanks to a damming project in the 1950s. Not wanting to disturb the bodies (and without consent from descendants of the Harrisburg Plantation), a small island was created out of the cemetery, sparing it from the same watery fate as the rest of the land. Today, it’s public land you can visit ... as long as you have a boat.  

2. How many ghost towns in South Carolina are there?  

At the time of this writing, there are at least a dozen known ghost towns in South Carolina, many of which are only accessible by boat (or are inaccessible thanks to all sorts of different circumstances). Given South Carolina’s lengthy history as a state and territory, it’s no surprise at all that there has been many a town that met its end here.  

3. Which ghost towns in SC are worth visiting? 

We can’t get enough of the wonderful and eerie ghost towns in SC, and several of them are definitely worth checking out! Some of the best ghost towns in SC you can still visit include:  

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