By Anne Shuler Toole Though small in stature, Lucy Garrett Beckham was larger than life. The impact she had on Mount Pleasant high schoolers over her tenure as Wando’s principal – and the resulting ripple effect on the town itself – is immeasurable. After all, people flock to areas known for good schools, and it’s evident that having her as a leader changed this town in many … [Read more...]
Continuing to Hold Water: The Heart, Soul and History of Shem Creek
This story originally appeared in an early Media Services publication. It has been edited for length and clarity. We hope you enjoy this look at Shem Creek’s history. -The Editors Shem Creek has always been a working creek. It fed the Sewee Indians and ferried the father of our country safely across the harbor. It powered sawmills and rice mills and pumped money into … [Read more...]
Magwood Family Memories
Remembering Captain Magwood: A Man Who Defined the Shrimping Industry Like his father before him, Captain Edwin “Wayne” Magwood pursued one of the world’s most precarious and perilous professions. Rising well before dawn throughout the season, he piloted his 68-foot commercial shrimp boat through the heaviest swells and fiercest weather to a “secret place” where the most … [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...]