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.

I visited here on a tour and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't look like a lot but knowing that it has…read morebeen here for a few thousand years and how they were built just made it an amazing experience. I highly recommend reading about it, our tour guide Todd had some articles online I've read since visiting. There are only 3 remaining in the world, you should see it.

The ring is a national treasure as one of only few surviving archaic shell rings in the state. This…read morealong with its unsolved mystery (Who built it? Why? Why did they leave 300 years later?) makes it 4 stars in my book. I agree I got more excited after the fact once I learned more about it. You need to love history and be a romantic person to really enjoy this. Little kids will be easily bored. Luckily, Lake Joe is nearby (dedicated to kids and family fishing) Check the details on my blog. http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2009/08/indian-shell-ring-history-pictures-hilton-head-free-things-to-do/

This marker is in excellent condition. It points out the final resting place of one of the 56 men…read morewho signed the Declaration of Independence. The marker reads, "Tomb of Thomas Heyward, Jr. (1746-1809). Member of South Carolina Provincial Congress and Council of Safety and of Continental Congress. Signer of Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation and captain of militia at Battle of Port Royal and Siege of Charleston. Prisoner of war 1780-81. Circuit Court Judge 1778-89." Born in what is now Jasper County, SC and educated at home, he traveled to England to study law where he was a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and the following year signed the Declaration of Independence. Taken prisoner by the British during the siege of Charleston, he continued to serve as a judge after the war, retiring from the bench in 1798. [Review 12384 overall, 2170 of 2019.]

Happy to have this badge to take us to our happy place at Hilton Head Island. Great to see it…read morecoming in and bittersweet on the way out!

The twin Wilton J Graves bridges carry US-278 between Bluffton SC over the Intracoastal and across…read morePinckney Island to Hilton Head Island. Dedicated in 1982, the bridge has a 65 foot clearance over the water. It is named after a veteran state legislator and highway official. As bridges go, it is tall, sweeping and if you look quickly, as a lovely view of the lowcountry here near Hilton Head Island. [Review 12415 overall, 2202 of 2019.]

After paying the nine dollars for a day pass to enter Sea Pines we followed the column of traffic…read moreheaded to Harbour Town, I've visited this location quite a bit over the years but it's been more than a decade and it seems not much has change except for the ridiculous amount of traffic on the island. I live in a tourist town in Florida so it's annoying but part of life in paradise. I guess the entrance fee covers your parking because it's all free once you pass the guard gates, all that's required is luck finding a space within a reasonable walking distance, I got lucky today being someone was pulling out just as I arrived at the preferred parking lot a stones throw from the pier. The pier is well constructed and offers some great views and a covered sitting area at the end. There are plenty of charter businesses that run parallel to the pier and a number of placards describing some of the local bird and sea inhabitants. I always spend some time on the local piers when visiting different areas they all seem to offer a few moments of serenity. There is also a walking beach close by that looks like it offers some shelling opportunities but today that option looks limited, I'm sure most visitors grab a few free souvenirs from here. It's a must do while visiting Harbour Town and this alone is worth the price of admission when considering the parking is free...

The perfect spot for your photo of the sunset on Hilton Head Island, there is no charge to visit…read morethe pier (you've already paid to enter Sea Pines) and you can easily get out over the water. We checked it out, took our pictures, and moved along. I think the Daufuskie Island Ferry might stop here, but certainly any number of harbor (harbour?) cruises depart and return from here. [Review 12424 overall, 2211 of 2019.]

During the Civil War, Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry commandeered Banksia Hall in…read morethe town of Barnwell for five days, burning down much of the town during their stay. Banksia then became a Federal occupation headquarters during Reconstruction. This memorial is on a small triangular park in the center of Barnwell, directly opposite the Barnwell City Hall and the Barnwell County Courthouse. It is quite corroded and the 24 foot tall marble monument is in need of a cleaning. There are inscriptions on three faces of the monument. On the North face, "Erected by the women of Barnwell to the memory of their countrymen who fell in the war for the rights of the states. And who died to maintain the principal that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." On the South face, "Who wrung from the great commander of the opposing armies the humiliating confession that they could be overcome only by attrition. And in the deadly contest in which they engaged their spirits were never broken. Their courage never quailed. Their convictions never deserted. And their manhood was never surrendered." And on the West face, "Who throughout a long and bloody struggle displayed a heroism and devotion to duty unsurpassed. If ever equaled in the annals of war." As these monuments are slowly being removed from the South, stop by and check it out while it's still here. [Review 16841 overall - 872 in South Carolina - 354 of 2022.]

This former house of a freed slave offers a glimpse into a unique part of American history…read more Cyrus Garvin (or Garvey, depending upon what historical documents are referenced) built the property and raised a family here through a variety of business enterprises and interests. The 3-room cottage (the upstairs is closed to visitors) showcases the 19th-century life of a man whose options were limited within the general American population, yet not only survived but thrived. Tours are self guided. We viewed the rooms and many explanatory signs in about 30-45 minutes. Donations accepted.

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 is one of Augusta's most rewarding museums, a place that manages to tell a 12,000‑year story…read morewithout ever feeling overwhelming. The Augusta Museum of History is the city's oldest historical institution, founded in 1937 and now the only accredited museum in the Central Savannah River Area, which gives it a level of curatorial depth you can feel as you move from room to room. The museum's signature exhibition, Augusta's Story, begins with the region's earliest Indigenous cultures, including artifacts from the Stallings Island people, and then moves through the Colonial Era, the antebellum period, the Civil War, and the city's twentieth century reinventions. You see everything from slave‑made pottery to a 12‑pounder bronze Napoleon cannon tube and an 1869 steam fire engine tied to the devastating 1916 fire that reshaped parts of the city. It's a rare chance to see Augusta's full arc laid out in a way that feels comprehensive. The museum also excels at capturing the city's cultural identity. The James Brown gallery is a highlight, celebrating the life and global influence of the "Godfather of Soul" with photographs, stage pieces, and biographical context that show how deeply he shaped Augusta's modern identity. Several media options to watch him performing and to hear other leading figures discuss his influence. The golf and Masters Tournament section offers a thoughtful look at how the sport became intertwined with the city's reputation, and the medical history exhibit includes an impressive wall of antique medicine bottles that gives you a sense of how local healthcare evolved over generations. One of the most enjoyable parts of the visit is the Transportation Corridor, which brings Augusta's mobility story to life with a 1914 steam locomotive, a 1917 steam trolley, a reconstructed 1930s gas station, and a range of early vehicles. Walking through the restored streetcar and stepping into the rail car for photos adds a tactile, playful element that balances the more traditional exhibits. Upstairs, the museum's radio history exhibit traces the rise of WBBQ, one of Augusta's most influential stations, including a "then and now" section installed for its 60th anniversary. There are also exhibits on local law enforcement and firefighting, as well as a gallery of regional legends that highlights entertainers, athletes, writers, and other notable Augustans. The entire museum is comfortably explored in about two hours, which makes it an easy and rewarding stop whether you're spending a full day downtown or pairing it with the Morris Museum of Art or the Riverwalk. It's the kind of place that leaves you with a clearer sense of Augusta's character, from its earliest settlements to the voices and industries that shaped the city you see today. Don't miss it. [Review 203 of 2026 - 904 in Georgia - 25392 overall]

We were in town for the weekend and decided to pay this place a visit. The admission price was…read moreonly a dollar so you really can't go wrong with that price. The first floor has a pretty extensive history of the city and was very interesting. The second floor has about five other sections including golf, James Brown, medical, and locals.