This historical marker along US-17 is in front of the Hampton Plantation Historic site and provides…read morea brief overview of the history. This is old Charleston, dating back to Colonial times, and even in condensed form the place carries more weight than the marker can hold. It notes the Horry and Rutledge families and the plantation's early eighteenth century origins, but it leaves out the deeper story of the rice economy built through the labor and agricultural knowledge of enslaved Africans whose work shaped every field along the Santee. The front of the marker reads, "Hampton Plantation, 2 mi. N.W., was established by 1730 and was one of the earliest rice plantations on the Santee River, in an area settled by Huguenots and often called "French Santee." The house, built in the 1730's for Elias Horry, later passed to his granddaughter Harriott Horry, who married Frederick Rutledge in 1797. The plantation remained in the Rutledge family until 1971." And the reverse, "One of Hampton's best-known owners was Archibald Rutledge (1883-1973), educator, man of letters, and first poet laureate of S.C. He wrote of life there in Home by the River (1941), calling it "the mother plantation of this old plantation country." Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, it has been Hampton Plantation State Park since the state acquired it in 1971." The limited space on the marker omits much. Including the near‑loss of the house in the twentieth century and Archibald Rutledge's role in reviving interest, as well as the long‑loved Washington Oak that tradition links to George Washington's 1791 visit. Today the unfurnished house and quiet grounds at Hampton Plantation State Park offer a clearer sense of the layered past than the roadside text suggests, inviting visitors to step beyond the marker and into a landscape where memory, myth, and history still mingle. It is marker number 1040 and it was erected in 2001 by the St. James-Santee Parish Historical Society. [Review 107 of 2026 - 1377 in South Carolina - 25297 overall]

The site is still in the process of improvement, but even just walking the grounds is a memorable…read moreexperience. A history trail has been added with some visually and intellectually stimulating exhibits. The mansion is rarely if ever open but offers some interesting views. And a walk through the abandoned rice fields yields both wildlife sightings and hints of the place's past. There is a charge to get in, but they waived it for me as I stopped in just at the end of the day to take a quick walk. There are a variety of more developed areas that give private plantation tours, but this outdoor setting is an entirely worthy state park.

While the birthplace of Archibald Rutledge and the historic Rutledge home in McClellanville (called…read more"Summer Place") still stands and is well kempt, it is not open to the public. You can pull over and take a look and read the plaque on the side of the road, however. It is a neat stop to make on the way to the docks or before heading over to TW Grahams for lunch.

This marker is along Georgetown's Front Street and is in front of the Rice Museum. It points out…read moresome Civil War history. Keep in mind, South Carolina was one of the first states to secede and was part of the Confederacy. There's a lot of text so it's on both sides. On the front, "In early 1865 the USS Harvest Moon, a 193-foot, 5-gun side-wheel steamer, was the flagship of Adm. John A. Dahlgren of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, U.S. Navy. It arrived off Georgetown and anchored nearby on February 26th. Confederate Capt. Thomas W. Daggett, in charge of coastal defenses from Little River to Georgetown, made plans to sink the Harvest Moon with a "torpedo," or mine." And on the reverse, "Daggett, working on the 2nd floor of S.W. Rouquie's store here at 633 Front Street, built a keg torpedo and floated it out as the Harvest Moon steamed down the bay early on March 1, 1865. The blast blew a hole in the starboard quarter and main deck, and the ship sank in five minutes, with only one sailor killed. The smokestack of the Harvest Moon can still be seen at low tide in Winyah Bay, near Battery White." There is plenty of street parking nearby and restaurants and even a bar. Cheers! [Review 19427 overall - 1001 in South Carolina - 397 of 2023.]

During a recent visit to Charleston we happened upon Cape Romain Wild Life Refuge…read more If driving, just keep following the signs, the road seems like it will go on forever but you eventually get there and are rewarded with never ending marshes as far as the eye can see. The Refuge is 66,287 acres of wilderness of which 29,000 acres has been designated Class 1 Wilderness. What this means to you is that this area has some of the cleanest air on east coast. If you're a bird watcher, look no further, you can find over 293 species here. There are also many other species that call this Refuge home or migrate here seasonally. The views are stunning and the facts surrounding this Refuge are fascinating. We explored the dock and took in the sights however you can also rent boats, canoes, or kayaks and paddle through the marshes and enjoy the untouched beaches. It's nice to see an area of this size being preserved for wildlife and indigenous plants. If you're in the area I would come and enjoy this site.

What an amazing day. I took my sister with her 16, 15, & 12 year olds. We took the 1230 ferry which…read morewas 30 min ride out to the Island. No bugs on our trip. It was very early April. A little cool (mid 70's). We walked a mile & a half to Boneyard Beach. AMAZING. Unspoiled pristine beach with no trace of human life. Many many shells all sizes & driftwood on the beach trees which were petrified on the beach. Take a great camera, water, sandwiches sunscreen & bug spray with you. People also took their bikes. Many many massive alligators sunning on the way there. We walked right by them. We had no option. The tour guide from Coastal Exhibitions warned us we would see many up close & we site did! It was the highlight of our trip. A must do while in Charleston. We had several hours on the beach and had the option of returning to the boat either 4 or 5. Outstanding day.

Along a quiet street that is part of Georgetown's historic district, this marker stands in front of…read morea church and points out some of the Colonial-era history. It is a wide street so there's plenty of room to pull over to read the marker. This is marker 22-15 and was erected by the Congregation to honor Elizabeth J. Ashford. It reads, "William Wayne, nephew of Revolutionary General Anthony Wayne, was converted here by Bishop Francis Asbury on February 24, 1785, and a Methodist congregation was formed later that year. Woolman Hickson was appointed minister. This is the site of an early cemetery, parsonage, and church (c. 1833), in use until 1903 when the present nearby structure, Duncan Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated." [Review 19428 overall - 1002 in South Carolina - 398 of 2023.]

Nearby is a marker showing President Monroe's visit in 1819 but this marker commemorates President…read moreWashington's visit in 1791. The marker is off the road by the entrance and there is room to stop and park. It is on the southbound side. The marker reads, "President George Washington on his southern tour traveled southward over this road, April 27-30, 1791. While in this vicinity the day and night of April 29, he was the guest of Captain William Alston on this plantation, Clifton, which was originally a part of the Hobcaw Barony." This is marker number 22-5 and it was erected in 1981 by the Georgetown County Historical Society. [Review 19413 overall - 987 in South Carolina - 383 of 2023.]

Along US-17 south of Georgetown, this marker points out some Colonial-era history. Georgetown…read moreitself is the third-oldest city in South Carolina and this is part of that. The marker reads, "The Oaks Plantation was established on the Santee River in 1705 by a grant from the Lords Proprietors to John Sauseau, a French Huguenot settler. It passed through several owners in the prominent Buchanan and Withers families before 1793, when brothers Isaac and William Mazyck acquired a tract of more than 1,000 acres and began producing rice here on the rich Santee River delta." It is marker number 22-50 and was erected in 1999 by The St. James Santee Parish Historical Society. There is a turnoff from the roadway for this intersection so stopping to read the marker is no trouble. [Review 19435 overall - 1009 in South Carolina - 405 of 2023.]

Battery Warren is a historical gem nestled DEEP in the woods in Jamestown (closer to Honey Hill…read moretbh)...when you think you've put the wrong directions into your GPS and that surely you've gone the wrong way...keep the faith, you're going out to the middle of NOWHERE to find this Civil War site overlooking the banks of the Santee River. You'll know you're within range when you start seeing signs for Battery Warren and ultimately you'll find a small parking area that marks the trailhead marker. It's a very easy hike in and out but you are pretty isolated, so keep that in mind. While the fort never saw major action, it served a strategic outpost to protect the river against Northern forces and block them from moving into the Charleston area. It's pretty easy to tell when you're closing to reaching the large earthworks, because you'll quickly notice the ground around you starting to reach well above your head. It will take you 15 minutes TOPS to reach the earthenworks fort once you start the walk in. I've made the hike a few time and on this most recent trek was disappointed to find that of the handful of interpretive historical signs that are there, a few of them had been damaged beyond being able to even read them. Not sure how often DNR is maintaining the site but the signs looked like they'd been damaged for a while. The fort overlooks a beautiful and peaceful stretch of the Santee River and makes for an interesting way to pass the afternoon. If you're in the area it's worth making a stop in. I wouldn't go out of my way to make a special trip here because the signs could use some love ...but again, if you're neary definitely check it out.