South Carolina is home to an abundance of historical landmarks that will leave you amazed, such as America’s first landscaped gardens or learning more about enslaved people’s lifestyle. You are sure to be fascinated when visiting one of these iconic locations!
South Carolina is home to over 1,400 listings on the National Register, from historic districts and individual properties, to districts themselves. Below are a few highlights:
Charles Towne Landing
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site marks the initial point at which European settlers established themselves in what is now South Carolina. The park showcases colonial Charleston through exhibits in its Founders Hall that introduce visitors to its early days as a colony, along with rental facilities, natural habitat zoo, ongoing archaeological excavations, miles of trails and picnic areas, replica 17th century tall ships as well as six fireable replica cannons – among many other amenities.
History buffs, nature enthusiasts and families all will find something fascinating at West Ashley Park. Experience how enslaved and indentured Barbadians made a living, explore the 22-acre Animal Forest to view species which affected early settlers either negatively or positively and walk along a reconstructed palisade wall – not forgetting burial sites and Native American Ceremonial Center located within its grounds – accessible via public transportation! The park can be found easily.
Kings Mountain
Kings Mountain proved an unexpected setback for British efforts to conquer southern colonies during the Revolutionary War. A Patriot victory on a hilltop in Western South Carolina served as an early blow against that campaign and gave Nathanael Greene time to regroup his army before undertaking future attacks in this direction.
One of the most striking aspects of this battlefield was its unusual shape resembling that of a footprint, with broad insteps and narrow heels. Furthermore, its strategic hilltop location gave Patriot forces an advantage over Loyalist forces who had to camp lower down.
This park features an 1800s-era Living History Farm and miles of wooded hiking and horseback riding trails, where visitors can view old buildings that re-create 19th-century yeoman farms as volunteers demonstrate historic cooking, woodworking, and blacksmithing techniques. Built by President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps.
Hopsewee Plantation
Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina is a historical home dating back to 1740 and known for being Thomas Lynch Jr.’s birthplace – as he signed the Declaration of Independence there! Additionally, this house serves as an exquisite example of black cypress architecture.
Raejean Beattie, owner of the plantation, believes it’s vital that people fully comprehend its history from all aspects. She emphasizes the role played by enslaved Africans at her property – they brought significant skills, expertise and energy to rice production that many don’t realize existed at first.
One of the best ways to experience Hopsewee is through taking a tour of its plantation, followed by lunch or Southern tea at River Oak Cottage – one of the state’s top tea rooms, with separate costs associated with both events.
Beaufort National Cemetery
Situated near one of Beaufort’s busiest streets, this final resting place provides an oasis of quiet. Beautiful live oaks draped in Spanish moss tower over rows of white headstones – an important stop for history and Civil War buffs touring coastal South Carolina.
In 1987, souvenir hunters using metal detectors on Folly’s Island discovered 19 Union soldiers missing since 1863. At a 1989 Memorial Day service held to reinstate them at Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors – this service was attended by cast of the movie ‘Glory, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and descendants of African-American Civil War veterans.
At Beaufort National Cemetery today, over 9,000 veterans from every branch of military are interred at Beaufort. Civil War veterans make up many of these interments, while there have also been soldiers from every war or conflict interred there – such as Colonel Donald Conroy (known as The Great Santini) and Master Sergeant Joseph Simmons, recipient of a Legion d’honneur award.
