South Carolina’s Rich History with Author Elaine Cantrell

In the year 1663, King Charles II of England gave territory in the new world to a group of friends whom history would call the Lord Proprietors.  In 1670 these proprietors established Charles Towne.

 Fighting Indians, Spanish and French wanting to seize their colony, Charles Towne persevered, and in 1680 they moved their settlement to the place where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers flowed into the Atlantic with a shortened name change-Charleston. 

As Charleston grew it became a mixture of religious and ethnic groups and was the wealthiest and largest city south of Philadelphia.  By 1770 it was the fourth largest port in the colonies, with more than half the population being slaves. Rice and indigo became the primary cultivation by wealthy plantation owners and exporting made Charleston the cultural and economic center of the south. 

As time went on, Charleston (as well as most of the south) developed definite views on states’ rights and slavery.  The Civil War began in Charleston when Confederate forces fired on the Union held Fort Sumter in the harbor. 

Post Civil War, the city emerged stronger with a dedication to preserving its history, and that of course is why so many people go to Charleston today.  The architecture and landscaping reveal that history. 

Folly Beach is a lovely resort area now, but in the past it was the haunt of pirates and was “coffin land” so called because as ships entered Charleston they put sick people off on the island.  Naturally, many of them died.  The pier is a Folly landmark. 

Battery Park, at the end of Charleston peninsula, used to serve as a defense to protect the city if Fort Sumter fell. From Battery Park you can see Fort Sumter and Sullivan’s Island

Beautiful houses are located behind Battery Park.  There was one for sale last year when I took the picture.  The price?  Three to four million. 

At one time these colorful houses were the center of Charleston commerce.

The new Cooper River Bridge, correctly called the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, is North America’s largest cable stay span bridge.  With its eight lanes of traffic and a path for bicycles and pedestrians, everyone was glad when it opened.  If you’d ever seen the old one you’d know why.

The list of things to see and do is endless. go to a first rate aquarium, take a walking tour of haunted Charleston, visit Plantations and gardens, see a resurrected Civil War submarine, take a horse drawn carriage tour, visit Charlestown Landing, the site of the first English settlement, and of course don’t forget Charleston’s great restaurants.  They’re to die for! 

In Charleston the past and present seamlessly mix and create a city so appealing that people all over South Carolina are proud of it.  See you there!

Elaine Cantrell, a prolific author and educator, has a long list of published works to her name.  Visit her site for information and while you’re there, check her extensive list of freebees and the unique story beginning her writing life. 

http://www.elainecantrell.com

http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
(pictures courtesy of author)