More coming soon. Thanks for visiting! … [Read more...]
Ghosts of the Old Village: The Night Rangers’ March
Halloween may look a bit different this year, but with well over 300 years of history, the town of Mount Pleasant is brimming with ghost stories that will leave you feeling spooked. The tale of the night rangers is more than just an eerie anecdote — it’s a haunting that has been witnessed by many people, spans over seven miles and ties into one of the most famous historical … [Read more...]
Mount Pleasant: The First 100 Years
As Charleston celebrates its 350th birthday this year, let’s acknowledge a milestone for Mount Pleasant, too: 340 years and counting. In the next few editions, we’ll explore our town’s history, one century at a time. Let’s begin! Before the arrival of English settlers to the Lowcountry in 1670, there were several Native American tribes east of the Cooper River. The Kiawah and … [Read more...]
Remembering a Lowcountry Literary Legend: Dorothea Benton Frank
To borrow from — and paraphrase — author Erich Segal, “What do you say about a beloved Lowcountry novelist who died?” In the case of the recent passing of Dorothea Benton Frank, the answer is simply, “A great deal.” Among the 20 New York Times best-selling books she has written since 2000 — one every year — 11 were set in and showcased the Lowcountry, starting with her … [Read more...]
The Roaring ’20s: Life in the Lowcountry 100 Years Ago
The Roaring ‘20s. The phrase suggests flappers, frolic and frivolity. But, the prosperity that much of the country experienced was not replicated here. Most local residents struggled in a stagnant economy. Droves of men left to find work in cities up North. Tourism became the hope for economic growth. In 1923, Charleston’s Mayor Thomas Stoney dubbed Charleston “America’s … [Read more...]
Hurricane HUGO 30 Years Later: A Retrospective — and How to Prepare for the Next Big One
Late evening on September 21, 1989, a powerful Category 4 storm dubbed Hurricane Hugo raged ashore, bringing 135 mph winds, torrential rainfall and a towering tidal surge that flooded homes and businesses, washed out roads and bridges, reduced homes to rubble, toppled mighty oaks and snapped pines like twigs. Isle of Palms Fire Department Chief Ann Graham was serving as fire … [Read more...]
Mother’s and Father’s Day: A Brief History
National Pancake Day, National Puppy Day, Wine Day, Margarita Day, Bacon Day — these days, there truly is a “day” for just about anything and anyone we love. Sure, these days are fun and a reason to grab your favorite cocktail or an extra carb-y breakfast. But there are few of those tried-and-true, classic “national days” that steal hearts all over our country, no matter age … [Read more...]
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island: Why We Celebrate Carolina Day on June 28
Imagine, for a moment, a very different Lowcountry than the one we know. It’s the dead of summer during the Revolutionary War, and the royal assembly and royal representatives were run off last fall. There is a tense state of bitter “peace” while things are run by a group of patriots. On June 28, 1776, the world’s most powerful military made its move to capture Charleston, … [Read more...]
Schoolhouse to Cultural Center: Snowden Community Preserves a Historic Landmark
On a particularly scorching day in August, with the heat index stretching to 105, President of the Snowden Community Civic Association Freddie Jenkins and I ride to a significant Mount Pleasant structure now hidden but not forgotten. Diners at the nearby Waffle House on Long Point Road wouldn’t necessarily know that just a stone’s throw away, on a grassy four-acre lot, stands … [Read more...]
The Story of a Hurricane Chaser
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my longtime relationship with hurricanes started in 1969 when Camille hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A Category 5 storm with 190 mph sustained winds, Camille was the most powerful hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States. All the destruction and death caused by this act of Mother Nature happened one day after I left Biloxi, … [Read more...]