Stories
Life on Lake Hartwell, past and present.
Stories from Vic & Amy Petrenko about the history of this land, what it means to hold a property for generations, and what life on the lake looks like today.
Before the dam: the land that became Lake Hartwell
Before 56,000 acres of water covered the valley, families lived on this land for generations. A look at what Lake Hartwell replaced — and what survived.
Generations on this land
What does it mean to hold a piece of land for over a century? A look at multi-generational ownership on Lake Hartwell and the rare properties that outlast their owners.
Life on Lake Hartwell today
From dawn fishing runs to Fourth of July fireworks, what life on Lake Hartwell actually looks like in 2026 — and why the community keeps people coming back.
The towns beneath Lake Hartwell
When the Corps of Engineers dammed the Savannah River, entire communities vanished beneath the water. The ghost towns below Lake Hartwell — and why this property survived.
Tournament waters: Lake Hartwell's rise as a premier bass fishing destination
Four Bassmaster Classics and counting. How Lake Hartwell became one of the Southeast's most celebrated tournament fisheries — and what it means to own waterfront here.
Summer on Lake Hartwell: events, festivals, and community life in 2026
From the Cars & Guitars Festival to Pre-4th Fireworks over the water — what to do, where to eat, and how the community comes alive each summer.
Under the pecan canopy: Georgia’s agricultural roots and the grove at 257 Methodist Park Lane
Georgia has been the nation’s top pecan producer for over seventy years. On this Lake Hartwell estate, the mature pecan grove tells a story of resilience that predates the lake itself.
The quiet season: what Lake Hartwell looks like when the boats leave
When summer crowds thin and the marinas go quiet, Lake Hartwell reveals its truest self — mist on the water, winter fishing, and the solitude of a lake in the Appalachian foothills.
Hartwell’s Main Street: the small-town downtown that refused to disappear
A Georgia Exceptional Main Street with buildings dating to 1879, a vibrant arts center, and a community that chose preservation over demolition — downtown Hartwell is the amenity that makes the lake feel like home.