Civil War History…read more Dining at Old Fort Pub is always preceded by our walking tour of the Civil War fort, Fort Mitchel (one L.) Fort Mitchel and other Union forts, together with a superior Union Navy were Key to ultimate Union victory. Old Fort Pub is closed, and visitors to FT Mitchel have decreased. This Fort played a vital role in Coastal defenses.

Fun and Interesting historical presentation on old site of this fort area. Well spoken guide met us…read morenear parking and welcomed us, began discussion readily, sharing Civil war history. We ambled to park benches as he continued, explaining the importance of the area, and fortifications there, preserved as possible despite nearby modern development. His talk was augmented with a second presentor, in character and costume, to explain local sentiments during war times, with good humor and good understanding of historical local, slave and soldier perspectives. Well done! Well appreciated! Give a listen , everyone! Volunteer guides, money supports local history library.

The boardwalk is a fishing pier that parallels the shoreline and provides for a viewpoint to look…read moreinto the marshes and perhaps view some wildlife. And then there's the observation tower, a four story wooden tower. Climb the steps (look out for splinters) and from the top, you can see for miles around the Battery Creek and the mouth of the Beaufort River. Completely free and there was no one else on the boardwalk when I visited in mid-March. [Review 19485 overall - 1057 in South Carolina - 455 of 2023.]

We really enjoyed our hike on this boardwalk. We weren't sure at first what to expect but it was…read morereally nice. The views were beautiful. The boardwalk was really nicely maintained. There were a lot of people fishing off the dock even had little benches for people to be able to fish with, it's a bit of a hike up the steps, but it's not bad

After a "destination lunch" in Yemassee SC, our server asked if we were seeking history. Replying…read morethat it was an interest, they suggested going just six miles down the road. Yes! Six miles and 250 years earlier, we drove into a hauntingly beautiful open grove of ruins did we go! Park off the street easily. Off street parking with no sidewalks or crossings, then you'll walk into history. Burned once by the British in 1777, rebuilt, then burned one more, and final time by Sherman's mary in the civil war, as he rained terror on these rural folk, returning from conquering Savannah in the final years of the civil war. Some people remain behind in the graveyard, so please be respectful during your time here. It's silence and magistry will stay with you. The old water pump still delivers cold, sweet spring water, so have some before you go. Bring a cup (no waste cans!), or go old school and use your hand. The sadness comes from knowing that these bricks were made by slaves...

My wife and I visited here on an anniversary trip from a recommendation of a friend. It's about 50…read moremiles from Charleston SC but was well worth the drive. We were the only ones there. It's a historic site known as Prince William's Parish Church. Built between 1745 and 1753 in the English Georgian style with Roman Tuscan or Doric elements, it served as a chapel of ease for the parish. The church has a dramatic history, traditionally believed to have been burned twice: first by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War and again in 1865 by General Sherman's forces during the Civil War, leaving only its massive brick walls. However, a 1866 letter by Milton Leverett suggests the church was not burned in 1865 but instead gutted for materials to rebuild homes destroyed by Sherman's army, challenging the traditional narrative. I'd highly recommend a trip here if you are in the area and like things like this.

Officially the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge and formerly known as the Lady's Island Bridge,…read morethis drawbridge carries US-21 (Business) over the Intracoastal Waterway joining downtown Beaufort with Lady's Island. It was opened in 1959 and is the second swing-bridge in this spot. Yes, it's not the more common "bascule" or "leaf" bridge that raises. The Beaufort bridge is a swing bridge which pivots to allow tall marine traffic to pass. Swing bridges are cool. It's a pretty bridge in a classical sense and it's great that it can be seen from the Sea Island Parkway as you approach from the south and you can also stop along Bay Street (best next to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park) to view the bridge. I did not get an opportunity to see it open during my time in Beaufort. The bridge has one lane in each direction and a single protected pedestrian walkway on one side of the roadway. There is no toll to cross the bridge. It is one of two bridges that cross here in Beaufort. The other is the McTeer Bridge about four miles south and it's just a regular boring high bridge that doesn't open. The bridge was used in the movie Forrest Gump. You'll see it at the end of this scene: https://youtu.be/1XRmhoGwgVg [Review 19478 overall - 1050 in South Carolina - 448 of 2023.]

You know why I low key love writing reviews for bridges? Because they pretty much write themselves…read more If the bridge wasn't up to par, then I wouldn't be writing the review. If there's one thing I can say about this bridge is that it's STURDY. I'm no architect, but I can definitely appreciate the STURDINESS of any bridge that I cross. The STURDIER the better, is what I always say, and this bridge really holds its own. As to not come off as sarcastic I actually did some homework on the bridge and found out that is one of the most popular landmarks in Beaufort S.C. It opened on December 17th in 1959, which stands a a huge testament to its STURDINESS, and dependability. The woods Memorial Bridge, which is more commonly referred to by locals as "Woods Bridge" is named in memory of Richard V. Woods 1935-1969. He was a Highway Patrol officer who was unfortunately killed in the line of duty. The bridge was also a stnd in for a bridge that crossed the mighty Mississippi in the classic movie Forrest Gump! So not only is the bridge STURDY as all get out! It's also a movie icon, and a sex symbol when compared to most bridges.

This is the site of the first chapel on Hilton Head Island which was completed in 1788. This…read morelocation was the center of activity on the island in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as the chapel was in close proximity to a Militia muster house and a Masonic lodge. It is also home to the oldest existing structure on the island, the Baynard Mausoleum, which was built in 1846 by William Baynard, a wealthy Plantation owner. The cemetery contains the graves and memorials for four Revolutionary War Patriots: Isaac Baldwin, James Davant, John Stoney, and Charles Davant. Charles Davant was ambushed by a Tory militia unit, was mortally wounded, and is the only known Patriot casualty on the island. It is clearly an old and disused cemetery. Some of the headstones are quite worn and impossible to read. There is a small parking area that is accessible from the Matthews Drive ramp. This is history. [Review 14375 overall, round number 1700 of 2020, number 742 in South Carolina.]

It's a small cemetery, loaded with history. Tombstones dating to early and mid 1800's. Each one…read moretells a story. From military grave markers to those of nameless infants and young children. The headstones are beautiful with their patina and age. I recommend watching the video from the historical society that maintains the property as it tells much more about the history of those buried / memorialized in this place. A short visit, well worth the quick stop if you are nearby.

My husband and I relocated to South Carolina 6 months ago & needed to address some Medicare & SSA…read moreissues we were having. How fortunate for us to have SSA rep POPPY meet with us. POPPY fielded & handled every question & concern we had. At the end of our appointment all of our issues were resolved. What an extreme pleasure it was to deal with someone from SSA who is so professional, knowledgeable, kind, understanding & most importantly - empathetic. That's who POPPY is!! We know the SSA has a difficult task in trying to handle an overabundance of issues from the public, but please know that POPPY is excellent at her role in making life better for all of us! Thank you so much for all you do! Julie & Bob Pellegrino

We had a horrible experience with one of their reps In Beaufort. It was the worst experience for…read moremy husband and myself, to be at retirement age and to be abused the way we were was unacceptable.

This is a wonderful facility for all ages. The architecture is unique both inside and out. The…read moreLibrary contains great local knowledge and local history. You can explore not only the books but the plaques, displays, and other materials that are entwined within the spaces. The amount of technology they make available to the residents is amazing! The creative programs and activities they offer the younger generations are truly a gift to the community. All the staff we encountered were so knowledgeable, kind and accommodating. We didn't have much time to take it all in. So a repeat visit is on the books.

I love our local library! It is tucked away down a side road on Saint Helena Island and is quite…read morethe gem! The ladies and gentlemen are friendly and helpful! I love that if you are in a rush, just call ahead and they will bring your book out to the car as you go through the line :-) at Christmas time they gave me a gingerbread house for the kids to build :-) this summer they had an amazing reading program for kids in Beaufort County to participate in. If you order a book or something else through the library, you can sign up to be texted, emailed, or called when your items arrive. In my case, I get all three!

Penn Center was recommended as a cultural stop during our visit to Beaufort…read more We did not take a tour but overall found the experience underwhelming. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the excellent IAAM in Charleston. The art work was interesting and the history of the school somewhat but if you have limited time I'd recommend elsewhere.

This loosely laid out complex of buildings paints a historical picture of an island that served as…read morea cultural center for what's now called Gullah-Geechee. The immediate sights next to the parking area are a visitor center where you buy tickets and a small history museum where you hand the tickets in. The history museum included an extensive tour by a local docent, from whom I got very specific details about local history and a friendly conversation of the sort the region is known for. It's a hard experience to explain to those who are living a more conventional American life, but part of the conversation here is about preserving history, with signs in the neighborhood hinting at a legal battle to prevent the surrounding island from being bought up and developed the way that some (but not all) of the surrounding islands have been. A restored schoolhouse on the site is National Parks property, unlike most of it which seems locally owned. Tours and events are offered, but at fairly limited times. It is an interesting place to browse and does have exhibits. There are also some handy water fountains and bathrooms in this area. Otherwise, the site includes a walking tour of several buildings of historic significance, most of which were used to house groups of visitors or for some administrative purpose, but the aesthetics were interesting to look at. This isn't the most dramatic or well-developed experience, and while it seemed more visitor areas might be coming, what's there is a compelling picture of island life and a unique culture.