Although Franke at Seaside has resided in Mount Pleasant for 25 years now, their history ..goes back much further – 25 years, in fact. Before they became a vibrant senior community in East Cooper, they were an assisted living facility located in downtown Charleston at the Adger House on Calhoun Street, called simply “The Franke Home.” The idea for the facility that would … [Read more...]
Stranger on the Beach: One Vacationer Encounters a Famous Sullivan’s Island Specter
As one of the most historic spots in the United States, East Cooper is known for its Southern hospitality and charm, and it’s also notorious for ghostly inhabitants who came but never left and allegedly take up residence amongst the living. Lowcountry tourists and locals alike line up for historical haunted tours in search of a good ghostly tale, oftentimes with the hopes to … [Read more...]
Remembering Hurricane Hugo
The Lowcountry is no stranger to hurricanes. From the time we began tracking hurricane statistics in 1851, Southeast South Carolina has seen 309 tropical cyclones, including 16 hurricanes which have made landfall in Charleston County – the most of any county in the area according to weather.gov. Even before hurricanes were formally named, our home had several recorded storms, … [Read more...]
Nightmare in McClellanville: Hurricane Hugo 1989
“We made it Evangeline. The worst is over.” These were the words that Thomas Williams spoke to his wife as he looked out the back door of his McClellanville home during the calm of Hugo’s eye. The view before him was pretty bad but it wasn’t devastating. For the most part, his house and the houses of his friends and relatives on DuPre street were in good shape. There was no … [Read more...]
A Town is Created Part 2 in 340 Years of Mount Pleasant History
As the new century unfolded, Mount Pleasant’s rural identity began a metamorphosis. The lone hamlet of Greenwich, once surrounded by .miles of woods and farmland, would be joined by three other small settlements. New industries would appear, and the harborside community would become a hub of activity. Greenwich Village had been established in 1765, with 50 waterfront acres … [Read more...]
Lucy’s Legacy: Remembering the Woman Who Shaped Education in Mount Pleasant
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...]