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.

This was a great stop, and honestly, it was a spontaneous decision, but I'm glad we made the visit…read more Take some time to read the informational signs and really reflect on the history of the space. The ruins are of a plantation home and slave quarters dating back to 1793, with a deep and complex history tied to the Civil War era. Rumor has it that there are ghost sightings here, adding a mysterious vibe to the site. The ruins offer a poignant glimpse into the past, and it's a meaningful place to pause and consider the stories of those who once lived and worked there. It's a small site, but full of historical significance, and definitely worth a quick detour during your trip. Visiting the ruins adds depth to your understanding of the island's history and the legacy of the Civil War era in the Lowcountry. It's a powerful reminder of the area's complex past and makes for an interesting, reflective stop.

This was a unique activity, it was really interesting and not difficult to get to. Overall it took…read moreabout 30 minutes for the entire thing! Definitely worth seeing!

Kensington Plantation House is a historic plantation house located near Eastover, Richland County,…read moreSouth Carolina. At the moment it remains closed as they make repairs from ice storm damage in 2014. I follow there Facebook page for announcements on the reopening dates. This is a beautiful historic old mansion.

Did I take these stairs? No, but I thought about it until I saw a couple with their dog and the dog…read morebarely made it up - LOL I took another "use at your own risk" set of historic stone stairs that were less death-like and that was enough for me. Kudos to those who attempt them!

5 stars for the Stone Stairs of Death. The name sounds intense but it actually turned out to be a…read morereally fun and memorable stop. The climb will definitely get your heart pumping, but it is worth it once you make it to the top. The view and the whole experience made it feel like a little adventure. It is one of those spots that sticks with you and makes for a great story after. If you are up for a bit of a challenge and something different, this is a must do.

It's the oldest cotton gin in this area I know. It seems to do a lot for its community and…read moresurrounding area farmer's

Although it appears empty, Cope is NOT a ghost town. The 2018 population count was only 73 folks,…read morebut they would feel pretty darn bad if they were considered its ghostly residents. After reading that its old, mostly empty buildings make this a charming town to photograph, we made the trek off I-95 and made a slow drive through. Give yourself more time than we did to truly feel its charm, its history, its very-small-town pride, and tell your friends to make the trip also and maybe stop in to the Depot, or just say howdy, if you do see anyone (we did). The "Bank of Cope" has pictures of folks from years ago painted on its exterior walls, showing the laid back version of this town, "back in the day"; there is a building owned by and called Vallentines (plus a couple of others that the family owns) which is very well maintained, the railroad depot looks now like it did when Cope had way more than its present population. Bring your camera, bring your friendliness, appreciate the countryside as you pass through it, as well as the grit of the few folks left here in Cope, and, whatever you do, make sure your car has a full tank of gas because you'll be hard-pressed to find a working gas station for miles and miles (again, as we did). The pictures we took (some of which are edited for effect) were of as many buildings as we had the time to access, and it was a special experience to see this tiny, not-deserted, non-ghost town.

What a beautiful spot to spend some time. My son and I brought five containers of water and we are…read morealready out of water! The water tastes delicious and so fresh. There are no words for how it tastes! If you are planning on going go earlier in the day; it doesn't seem to be as crowded then. Being more jugs for water than you think you are going to need. The store up the road has jugs available for purchase.

Unable to check in for lack of cell service but could not complain since it is God's property,…read morewhere else do you find an Acre of land deeded to God himself, he owns the universe but this Acre is deeded. It was pouring when we went back with our jugs just 10 minutes after taking the pictures so I can't attest to the water properties it it sure reminded me of Hot Springs, AR where people also wait in line to fill jugs to take home. Will be back to get some home and visit God on his property

I recently visited during the NOGs Tour of Hidden Gardens and was reminded what a lovely home this…read moreis! Truly one of my favorite homes to tour in Savannah. Wonderful history and they do a fabulous job. I also love that they are a part of the Coastal Heritage Society. I often get the annual pass to visit this home as well as other Savannah sites.

I visited this historic home after seeing a couple of the rooms featured in the movie Bride Hard…read more Once I was there to experience the well preserved beauty of the home it was easy to see why it was chosen as a film location. My tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the house and even other movies filmed there. The tour started in the basement with stories about slave workers. The tour ends in the upstairs bedroom, learning about about Alida "Harper" Fowlkes. It you are interest in historic homes, definitely check out the Harper-Fowlkes House if you are in Savannah.

This plantation gives a tour explicitly from the point of view of the enslaved people that lived…read morethere. They do not intend a light fluffy experience. They do not want you to walk away feeling light. Our tour guide had personal connections to six of the nine black people who were killed in 1990 by someone who had gone on this tour. The big house is not part of the tour, but you can walk it on your own, there is no furniture and you can only get to the main floor. You will get to look into the slave quarters. You'll get to pick a eucalyptus leaf off a tree and learn about the medicinal uses. You'll get to see the Cook house and hear about the slave children who had to bring the food from there to the big house. You'll learn about various people who lived there throughout the years and how their lives progress before and after their time at this plantation.

This is a great way to learn about the history of slaves and the civil war along with the history…read moreof this plot of land. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Site of the surrender of Columbia South Carolina. It is very…read moreclose to downtown, will not take much time to visit, but is an absolute must. An engraved rock marks the location and serves as a remembrance of the occasion of the surrender of the city of Columbia South Carolina. Columbia, a major city in the confederacy and the birthplace of the secession movement, was a strategic target for general Sherman and the Union forces. The succession convention, was the first, and it was the only convention to unanimously vote to leave the Union. Sherman and his troops' desire to exact revenge on the city was deep, according to historical documents. In advance of the Union forces attacked in the city, the Confederate troops burn down the bridges leading to the city on February 16, 1865, under the direction of General Wade Hampton III. Hampton, The grandson of a Revolutionary War hero, and considered a hero in his own right, evacuated his troops and placed the mayor, TJ Goodwyn in charge. Union forces began to shell the city from across the river. Seeing what happened to other cities, and hoping to spare Columbia, he ordered Mayor Goodwyn to surrender the city on the morning of the 17th just north of the city. Between 8 AM and 9 AM, the city's Aldermen and the Mayor surrendered formally to Sherman's troops. Unfortunately, this did not help as Sherman and his troops proceeded to torch the city at night. At least two thirds of the city burned as troops set fire to homes, businesses, schools, municipal buildings, and churches. In 1914, the United daughters of the Confederacy held a dedication ceremony featuring the sole surviving witness, Norton W. Brooker, and six descendants of the mayor. The engraved rock sits in front of the church on the corner of River Road and Beaufort Street in the historic Earlewood neighborhood.

Thanks so much for this valuable information! I've been trying to find the location of the site of…read moreColumbia's surrender. I grew up there and have lived in Charlotte for the last 19 years, but plan to ride by tomorrow! Is there not a marker for the site of Camp Sorghum? I have the general area mapped out but I guess there are no traces left. Thanks again!