Once a wild forest, around the 1500’s, our area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee Indian Tribe. Later, the land that the Emerald Pointe neighborhood was built upon was once a working farm. Although unconfirmed, the property was thought to be a cotton farm as Seneca developed into a marketing and shipping point for cotton through rail shipments that departed from Seneca Station in downtown Seneca. Rail shipments were frequent from our area’s textile mills such as Newry on the Little River and another east of Seneca later called the Westpoint Stevens Plant. Still today, there is evidence of the initial terracing from the farm that can be seen by the Clubhouse, lot 130 and lot 304.

 

Duke Power bought the land, created Lake Keowee, and then marketed land surrounding the lake to homeowners.  The Emerald Pointe Owners Association Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State in 1993 followed shortly by registration of our Covenants with Oconee County.  

 

In 1993, a newly cut red dirt road slowly climbed to the top of a hill. At the top of the hill, another discovery was made: beautiful, partially cleared property, with spectacular views of the lake all around.  There were no homes built but when standing on the hill (now lot 104) at the corner of Emerald Pointe Drive and Amethyst Way. the panoramic view was breathtaking. Emerald Pointe was in the beginning stage of development.

 

August 27, 1993, the first Emerald Pointe lot sold was registered with Oconee County. Lot 104 via auction. There were many current neighbors present. Paper, bid slips were distributed to participants. Bids were placed and collected. Everyone anxiously awaited the results of the silent bid process. Lot by lot the results were revealed.

 

The auction presented several unique opportunities. It gave the participants a glimpse of their future neighbors and a brief opportunity to meet. Futures were unfolding before our eyes and it was a very exciting time!

 

Twenty-five years later, many original and new owners live in Emerald Pointe. The stability of the neighborhood makes it a welcoming place where neighbors take pride in the community. Many donate valuable time and energy to maintain personal property and common areas. Neighborhood efforts help to keep HOA fees low. Emerald Pointe is a desirable neighborhood with a healthy balance of friendly adults and children, social activities, and community activities that work to maintain and protect the values of the neighborhood and surrounding lakefront properties.

 

Other important dates to remember:

 

• DHEC certified our pool for use on May 13, 1994, and the pool is listed under DHEC file number 37038B.  Our pool was designed by Kelly Architects and built by Splash Pools, Inc.

 

• The first election of an Advisory Board for the Emerald Pointe Owners Assn. took place at the April 1, 1995 annual meeting.  Duke Power via Crescent Resources still controlled Emerald Pointe and the Emerald Pointe Owners Assn. didn’t accept responsibility for and take control of Emerald Pointe until the spring of 1996.

 

• Our participation in the Adopt-a-Highway began in 1999.

 

• The December 2002 micro-burst that hit the area dropped several large pine trees on association property and across our roads. Many Emerald Pointe residents manned chain saws and opened the blocked roads and residents’ driveways.

 

• Our first pig roast was held during the fall of 2009.

 

• Emerald Pointe woke up Monday morning, January 10, 2011 to find about eight inches of snow on the ground.

 

• In October 2011 the dredging and dock switching was completed.  It took almost ten years to complete this activity because of the required certifications needed from several government entities.

 

• As of 2018, there are 74 lots in Emerald Pointe.  Seventy of the lots have houses.