Historical Sites
General
· Churches
· Landmarks
· Plantations
In
the late 1600s, English and French Huguenot planters settled our area.
Their fierce independence, self-sufficiency and strong, agrarian work
ethic have defined our regional mentality. Many families proudly trace
their roots to these brave, hard-working settlers. Gratefully, society
has made many advances. However, we are linked by common experiences, a
shared past and, above all, a love of the land. We're proud of our
communities and are working together and are excited about the future.
The
Lords Proprietors referred to the area around Charles Towne as Berkeley
County, with the name Berkeley coming from John, Lord Berkeley and Sir
William Berkeley.
Several national figures, including
Revolutionary War General William Moultrie, once called our area their
home. The elusive Swamp Fox, General Francis Marion, tormented British
legions as they occupied much of South Carolina. He emerged from our
swamps, attacking with his small band of marauders, then retreating
like a ghost into the misty backwaters of his homeland where the
Redcoats could never find him.
Henry Laurens, president of the
Continental Congress, resided at Mepkin Plantation. Centuries later,
publisher Henry Luce and Clare Boothe Luce, a writer and a diplomat,
bought Mepkin. They loved it so much they were buried there.
General
Little David Torpedo Boat
Located at the Berkeley Museum, the first semi-submersible torpedo
boat used in October 1863 Civil War harbor attack. Original sub was
built on site at Stony Landing Plantation.
Nesbitt House
This eighteenth century dwelling was the home of the plantation
overseer and his family on Dean Hall Plantation on the west branch of
the Cooper River. Moved to Moncks Corner and restored in 1968, the
building now houses the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce.
Otranto Indigo Vats
Located on the grounds of Bayer, Inc., these vats were used in the
manufacture of the blue dye derived from the cultivated indigo plant.
(Not Open To The Public)
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Churches
Biggin Church Ruins
Brick ruins of former church dating back to American Revolution; was
razed by British to thwart holding supplies. Old cemetery is lovely
with interesting tombstones.
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St. James Church
Circa mid-1700s, church represents combined parishes and was the
site of buried church silver hidden from federal troops. Church
overseer was hung three times in attempt to extract whereabouts of
buried silver, but he never revealed the site. (Not Open To The Public)
St. Thomas - St. Denis Church
Circa mid-1700s, church represents combined
parishes and was site of
buried church silver to hide it from federal troops. Church overseer
was hung three times in attempt to extract whereabouts of buried
silver, but he never revealed the site. (Not Open To The Public)
Taveau Church
Old wooden church was built for worship by a Presbyterian lady from
Edisto Island; later given back to a black congregation. Well
preserved. (Not Open To The Public)
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Landmarks
Grave of General Francis Marion
Burial place of the Lowcountry's famous "Swamp Fox" general who outwitted the British during the American Revolution.
Mexico Cemetery / Peru Cemetery /
Porcher Cemetery
Cemeteries of the plantations by whose same names located in the Pineville area. (Not Open To The Public)
Site of Battle of Quenby Creek
American and British armies, both equal in manpower, met in an
encounter here in July, 1781, resulting in a loss of sixty Americans
and one hundred forty five British soldiers.
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Plantations
Baldam Plantation
Family farm home of former South Carolina governor Robert McNair
located near Jamestown and Hell Hole Swamp. Former site of lancing
tournaments on property. (Not Open To The Public)
Bluff Plantation Nature Preserve,
Pamlico
Originally the home to Maj. Isaac Harleston who served with General
Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion. Property today is wildlife preserve. Open
to the public, but visitors are asked to stop at caretaker's
house.
Lewisfield Plantation
Circa 1774, a lovely plantation home on scenic Cooper River and site
of river battle in which Col. Wade Hampton surprised British and
destroyed several boatloads of supplies, taking seventy-eight
prisoners. Home to former U.S. Senator Rembert C. Dennis, whose family
still lives there. (Not Open To The Public)
Middleburg Plantation
Circa 1699, the oldest wooden building in South Carolina's
Lowcountry, located on rice fields on Cooper River. Porch on main house
bears sword slashes from Civil War. (Not Open To The Public)
Otranto Plantation House
Now located in affluent Otranto subdivision, this was the manor
house for the extensive plantation and home to Alexander Garden, a
local botanist, for whom the gardenia flower is named. (Not Open To The
Public)
Rice
Hope Plantation
Lovely B&B on broad expanse of old rice fields was once
plantation home and later a boy's home. Antiques in every room.
Exceptional dining experience.
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