This world has seen many tragedies; it’s through remembering our history that we can begin to move the needle towards peace and prosperity for all. Dec. 7, 1941, marked the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and will forever be embedded in our U.S. History. Similarly, Sept. 11, 2001, will live forever in our minds as a day of infamy in which the world stood still. On 9/11, … [Read more...]

It’s that time of year again. Hurricane season. It’s also the anniversary of what many folks in the Lowcountry consider a day that will live in infamy: September 21, 1989. If you were living anywhere near here at the time, you know exactly what that date signifies. “Where were you during Hugo?” are words that many long-time residents still ask one another. I personally … [Read more...]

Roy Williams III was an icon on Sullivan’s Island. He knew the island frontwards and backwards, inside and out, top to bottom. Not only had Williams lived on the island longer than just about any other resident, but he also wrote extensively on its history and architecture. He was even known to offer occasional tours of the island by trolley. When the island’s historical … [Read more...]

Coleman Boulevard is more than just a gateway to the beach. It’s Mount Pleasant’s Main Street, USA. It was where all the action began in the early 20th century and it remains the heart and soul of the town today. Coleman Boulevard was named after Mayor Francis Coleman, who steered the town through the rapid development of the 1950s and its transformation from a farming … [Read more...]

The Mount Pleasant Senior Center. The East Cooper campus of Trident Technical College. The African American Historic Settlements Commission. These are just a few fixtures that enhance the daily lives of Mount Pleasant residents, and they were all made possible through the dogged efforts of a woman who has been called “a guiding light” throughout the community. Thomasena … [Read more...]

Perhaps you’ve noticed it as you’ve turned off Highway 17 onto Mathis Ferry Road, just past the first traffic circle. More likely than not, you haven’t paid it much attention. But that’s about to change. The vacant, nondescript lot on the corner of 5th Avenue will soon become the site of a new park, and it won’t be just any park. This one will serve as a heritage memorial … [Read more...]

A major piece of Mount Pleasant’s history is found in the African American story. It’s among us today in the area’s sweetgrass baskets, gathering places like Six Mile Tavern and historic “settlement communities.” Gullah culture flavors the town at every corner. A historically spiritual group, at the center of it all, there is religion. It’s hard to pin down which was the … [Read more...]

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and, for many residents, air travel is the way to go. In this area, Charleston International Airport is the obvious choice for most folks, but some utilize Mount Pleasant Regional Airport for small private jets and prop planes. Though that airport has been around for decades, it is not the town’s first. Seventy-five years ago, Mount … [Read more...]

“Sullivan’s Island—A more comfortable place could not be found,” said Lt. George Dixon. Dixon was the commanding officer of the H.L. Hunley, the Confederate submarine whose base of operations was at Breach Inlet in 1864. The crew that worked on the submarine was based in Mount Pleasant. Including Dixon, the crew of eight traveled mainly by foot to work each day. These men … [Read more...]

With many historic churches dotting the skyline, Charleston is often called the Holy City. People forget that there is a good share of picturesque old churches on the other side of the Ravenel Bridge as well: St. Andrew’s, Christ Church, St. Paul’s, Friendship AME, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian and more. But where was the very first place of worship east of the Cooper? The answer … [Read more...]