History of the Port Santorini Community

Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Keowee, the Port Santorini community began its journey in 1974 as a vision of peaceful lakeside living. The community was named after the iconic island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, a place known for its brilliant white buildings and deep blue waters. S. Bruce Rochester, Sr., the original developer, chose the name to evoke the same serene, sun-soaked tranquility that he felt when standing on the shoreline of Lake Keowee. His dream was to create a unique community that blended natural beauty, thoughtful planning, and a strong sense of neighborhood connection.

Long before modern development, this land was inhabited by the Cherokee people, who lived in harmony with the natural surroundings. Oconee County, where Port Santorini now sits, was once part of the vast Cherokee Nation, known for its rich forests, flowing rivers, and abundant wildlife. The Cherokee used the land for hunting, fishing, and farming, and it was woven into their spiritual and cultural identity.

The Cherokee Path, a well-worn trade route, once traversed these lands. This path connected the Cherokee towns of the Appalachian foothills with colonial settlements along the coast and was vital for trade and diplomacy. Bent trees, purposefully shaped as saplings, marked these trails—some of which remain standing to this day. One such tree still stands within the Port Santorini community, silently bearing witness to centuries of movement, migration, and memory.

The area remained Cherokee territory until the Treaty of Hopewell in 1785, after which land parcels were gradually ceded to the United States. The years following the American Revolution saw a wave of European-American settlers who transformed the land for agriculture. Homesteads and small farms dotted the landscape, and the area's fertile soil supported crops like cotton and corn. As the frontier expanded, the Cherokee were tragically displaced, a history remembered and honored through ongoing cultural preservation efforts.

Many of the region’s names still echo the legacy of its original inhabitants. “Oconee” derives from the Cherokee word “Ae-quo-nee,” meaning “land beside the water.” Nearby towns and lakes—Keowee, Jocassee, Tomassee, and even the city of Seneca—carry names rooted in Cherokee language and lore. These names serve as daily reminders of the deep indigenous roots that still shape the cultural landscape of the area.

The modern era of development in this region began in earnest with the construction of the Oconee Nuclear Station by Duke Energy in the early 1970s. This monumental project led to the creation of two major reservoirs—Lakes Jocassee and Keowee. Lake Keowee, encompassing over 18,500 acres with more than 300 miles of shoreline, became a defining feature of the region, attracting both residents and tourists with its pristine waters, recreational opportunities, and scenic vistas.

Port Santorini emerged during this transformative period, offering a new style of community that combined lakefront living with privacy, green space, and community-minded design. Over the decades, the neighborhood has grown into a vibrant and welcoming enclave where families, retirees, and professionals alike find a peaceful retreat from the pace of urban life.

Today, Oconee County continues to thrive, supported by a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, clean energy, and a rapidly expanding tourism sector. Visitors come from across the Southeast to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge foothills. Cultural institutions such as the Oconee History Museum and the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina (both located in nearby Walhalla) help preserve and interpret the area's unique heritage for future generations.

As it approaches its fifth decade, the Port Santorini community remains rooted in its founding vision—a place where natural beauty, respect for history, and strong neighborhood bonds come together to create a truly special lakeside home.