This marker is located on a corner in a residential neighborhood that is close to the shoreline…read morenear marinas and boat storage. Charleston Harbor is quite close.
The front of the marker reads, "In 1779, Andrew Hibben bought land on the south side of Shem Creek from Jacob Motte, which became known as the Ferry Tract. Until the opening of the Grace Memorial Bridge in August 1929, ferries connected Mount Pleasant to Charleston. Hibben's Ferry operated until 1847, followed by others on Hog Island, Ferry Street, and Hort's Grove."
And the reverse, "The Ferry Tract was bordered by Shem Creek and Hibben, Bennett, and Beach streets. From colonial days until the 1980s, small shipyards operated on Shem Creek. A bucket factory was also on the creek leading to the name Factory Street, now Live Oak Drive. Restaurants and shrimp boats line the creek, while private homes occupy the boatyard lands."
Andrew Hibben's 1779 land purchase wasn't just a real estate transaction. It marked the beginning of Mount Pleasant's formal role as a transportation hub. Hibben's Ferry, chartered in 1785, became the primary link between Charleston and the eastern shore of the Cooper River. It operated from Haddrell's Point and was vital for moving people, goods, and even livestock across the water. The ferry service helped spur early suburban development in Mount Pleasant, especially as steam-powered vessels replaced rowboats and horse-powered team boats in the early 1800s.
The Ferry Tract itself was more than a landing site. It became a nucleus for maritime activity. Shipyards along Shem Creek built and repaired small vessels for coastal trade and shrimping, and the creek's accessibility made it ideal for light industry. The bucket factory mentioned on the marker was part of a broader pattern of utilitarian manufacturing that supported both local households and maritime operations.
The marker was erected in 2007. There is no indication who sponsored it.
[Review 1408 of 2025 - 1352 in South Carolina - 24960 overall]
