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.

Along one of Georgetown's side streets that passes through a residential neighborhood, not far from…read morethe courthouse, this marker stands in front of a beautiful home. The road is wide enough here that you can stop to read the sign and admire the home from the outside. As near as I was able to tell, it is not open for interior tours. The marker reads, "This house, one of Georgetown's earliest, was built ca. 1737 by John and Mary Perry Cleland. Mrs. Cleland inherited the property from her father John Perry, who had been granted a large tract in 1705 including the site of present-day Georgetown. This house is a raised tidewater residence with its main entrance facing the Sampit River. It features elements of the Georgian and Federal styles." And on the reverse, "In 1753 the house was purchased by the Cleland's nephew Archibald Baird. He made small additions to each end of the house and relocated the main entrance to Front Street. A porch was added there ca. 1780. Later prominent owners of the house included John Withers, Jr., Francis Withers, Dr. Joseph Blythe, and Robert F.W. Allston." It is marker 22-48 and was erected by the Georgetown County Historical Society in 1997. [Review 19417 overall - 991 in South Carolina - 387 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.]

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.]

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.

Just north of Georgetown on US-17 on the southbound side of the roadway, this marker is the welcome…read moreto the city. It points out some post-Colonial history. There is space at the side of the road to pull over. The marker reads, "On his tour south to inspect the defenses of the Atlantic coast, President Monroe reached Prospect Hill, Col. Benjamin Huger's residence, April 21, 1819. During his stay, April 21-24, he was lavishly entertained by his host and by the citizens and the town council of Georgetown." This is marker number 22-4 and it was erected in 1991 by the Georgetown County Historical Society. [Review 19412 overall - 986 in South Carolina - 382 of 2023.]

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.]