When South Carolina and Duke Power formed a partnership to create hydroelectric power nearly 50 years ago, the end result was unquestionably the most beautiful, pristine body of water in the state: Lake Jocassee. But there were tradeoffs that affected thousands who lived in the Jocassee Valley – namely, folks were forced to leave. Now there is an abandoned town under Lake Jocassee.
Many of the homes and the town that was to be in the way of the lake’s rising waters were demolished (or simply moved).
Kristina Hernandez / Moment Collection via Getty Images Today, it’s widely known that a cemetery lies at the bottom of the lake, complete with headstones you can still read to this day.
But few people realize that a mostly intact lodge was recently found at a depth of 300 feet beneath the lake’s surface, near where the Whitewater River flows into Lake Jocassee on the northwestern shores.
Google Maps
Believed to have been built in 1898, Attakulla Lodge was originally a ten-room home that opened its doors to traveling families and served as a bed and breakfast.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving
It soon expanded and was sold in the 1920s to the lodge’s second owners who would retain the lodge through the flooding of the lake in 1973. The lodge, however, closed to the public in 1960 but continued to host family and friends of the owners.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving
Not too long ago, divers in Lake Jocassee had been exploring the area near where the Whitewater River flows into the lake. Upon reaching the bottom at approximately 300 feet below the surface they made a discovery.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving
The Attakulla Lodge was still largely intact and sitting in its dark and frigid grave on the bottom of the lake.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving One section of the old home had been picked up and turned completely on its side… but again, largely intact. A discovery of this sort is almost never heard of. And if it wasn’t for the frigid temperatures at the bottom of the lake, the lodge would probably have been largely taken by time at this point.
Divers continue to diligently explore the ruins of Attakulla Lodge. Even the old fence that surrounded the horse paddock by the house (pictured) still stands.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving
See it here, more than 50 years ago, before Lake Jocassee was filled with water.
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving See more of the dive down to Attakulla Lodge by watching this video from YouTube user South Carolina Scuba Diving:
Kristina Hernandez / Moment Collection via Getty Images
Today, it’s widely known that a cemetery lies at the bottom of the lake, complete with headstones you can still read to this day.
Google Maps
YouTube/South Carolina Scuba Diving
One section of the old home had been picked up and turned completely on its side… but again, largely intact. A discovery of this sort is almost never heard of. And if it wasn’t for the frigid temperatures at the bottom of the lake, the lodge would probably have been largely taken by time at this point.
See more of the dive down to Attakulla Lodge by watching this video from YouTube user South Carolina Scuba Diving:
Learn about the clearest lake in South Carolina with 300 miles of shoreline.
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Address: Lake Jocassee, South Carolina, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fascinating Lakes in South Carolina January 01, 2023 Chris Muras What is the Lake Jocassee underwater hotel? Attakulla Lodge sits 300 feet beneath Lake Jocassee. This underwater hotel was initially a family home built in 1898. It was eventually turned into a bed and breakfast for those traveling through the area. It remained so through different owners until 1960 when it was used for private friends and family of the owner until the lake was flooded in 1973. How deep is the graveyard at Jocassee? The remains of the town under Lake Jocassee included many recognizable areas even to scuba divers to this day. One of those areas is Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The graveyard at Jocassee is about 130 feet below the surface. The bodies were exhumed before the area was flooded, however, the gravestones still remain. What are the prettiest lakes in SC? South Carolina has many beautiful lakes and reservoirs that offer enchanting spots for nature lovers and adventurers. Some of the most beautiful in the state are Lake Jocassee, Lake Marion, and Lake Hartwell. But there are numerous others. Here are some of the prettiest lakes in South Carolina:
- Lake Bowen
- Lake Greenwood
- Lake Marion
- Lake Jocassee
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Murray
- Lake Keowee With its vast meadows of wildflowers and stunning landscape views, Lake Jocassee can take your breath away. Not to mention the Lake Jocassee hotel submerged underwater. Meanwhile, Lake Marion boasts an impressive 180 miles of shoreline that offers plenty of activities including fishing and swimming. There’s also the scenic Lake Hartwell which is a popular spot for both locals and tourists who enjoy things like sailing and bird watching. Read more about each of these pretty lakes in South Carolina and more. Then start planning that SC getaway to go enjoy them.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fascinating Lakes in South Carolina
January 01, 2023
Chris Muras
What is the Lake Jocassee underwater hotel? Attakulla Lodge sits 300 feet beneath Lake Jocassee. This underwater hotel was initially a family home built in 1898. It was eventually turned into a bed and breakfast for those traveling through the area. It remained so through different owners until 1960 when it was used for private friends and family of the owner until the lake was flooded in 1973. How deep is the graveyard at Jocassee? The remains of the town under Lake Jocassee included many recognizable areas even to scuba divers to this day. One of those areas is Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The graveyard at Jocassee is about 130 feet below the surface. The bodies were exhumed before the area was flooded, however, the gravestones still remain. What are the prettiest lakes in SC? South Carolina has many beautiful lakes and reservoirs that offer enchanting spots for nature lovers and adventurers. Some of the most beautiful in the state are Lake Jocassee, Lake Marion, and Lake Hartwell. But there are numerous others. Here are some of the prettiest lakes in South Carolina:
- Lake Bowen
- Lake Greenwood
- Lake Marion
- Lake Jocassee
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Murray
- Lake Keowee With its vast meadows of wildflowers and stunning landscape views, Lake Jocassee can take your breath away. Not to mention the Lake Jocassee hotel submerged underwater. Meanwhile, Lake Marion boasts an impressive 180 miles of shoreline that offers plenty of activities including fishing and swimming. There’s also the scenic Lake Hartwell which is a popular spot for both locals and tourists who enjoy things like sailing and bird watching. Read more about each of these pretty lakes in South Carolina and more. Then start planning that SC getaway to go enjoy them.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Attakulla Lodge sits 300 feet beneath Lake Jocassee. This underwater hotel was initially a family home built in 1898. It was eventually turned into a bed and breakfast for those traveling through the area. It remained so through different owners until 1960 when it was used for private friends and family of the owner until the lake was flooded in 1973.
How deep is the graveyard at Jocassee?
The remains of the town under Lake Jocassee included many recognizable areas even to scuba divers to this day. One of those areas is Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The graveyard at Jocassee is about 130 feet below the surface. The bodies were exhumed before the area was flooded, however, the gravestones still remain.
What are the prettiest lakes in SC?
South Carolina has many beautiful lakes and reservoirs that offer enchanting spots for nature lovers and adventurers. Some of the most beautiful in the state are Lake Jocassee, Lake Marion, and Lake Hartwell. But there are numerous others. Here are some of the prettiest lakes in South Carolina:
- Lake Bowen
- Lake Greenwood
- Lake Marion
- Lake Jocassee
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Murray
- Lake Keowee
With its vast meadows of wildflowers and stunning landscape views, Lake Jocassee can take your breath away. Not to mention the Lake Jocassee hotel submerged underwater. Meanwhile, Lake Marion boasts an impressive 180 miles of shoreline that offers plenty of activities including fishing and swimming. There’s also the scenic Lake Hartwell which is a popular spot for both locals and tourists who enjoy things like sailing and bird watching.
Read more about each of these pretty lakes in South Carolina and more. Then start planning that SC getaway to go enjoy them.
