 The legislation went into effect in 1828.The lower part became Anderson and the upper Pickens, named in honor of the Revolutionary soldier, Brigadier General Andrew Pickens, whose home Hopewell was on the southern border of the district.A courthouse was established on the west bank of the Keowee River, and a small town called Pickens Court House soon developed

By 1860 Pickens District had a population of over 19,000 persons of whom 22 percent were slaves.