October 2, 2011

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. 


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.

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.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
(pictures courtesy of author) 

10 comments:

  1. South Carolina is high on my
    to-visit list. But I know little about where to stay. I like doing the tourists things so any suggestions are welcome from a person in the know. What a beautiful state. You are lucky.

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  2. Thanks, Elaine. You are right, Charleston is a lovely city, well worth a visit. I lived in Bluffton for 17 months, a long 90 minutes south of Charleston, so I didn't get up there much. Good luck with your books and endeavors.

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  3. So much history. So much beauty. Definitely a place to put on the visit list.

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  4. Elaine, I just returned to North Carolina after a week at Hilton Head Island, south of Charleston. We had a fabulous time! I've been to Charleston but would love to return for an extended visit. Great post by you and Annette.

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  5. Elaine, Wonderful write up about your historically rich state. Wow! I don't often recall much of the pre-1776, post-Columbian history of North America so I really enjoyed your piece of 17th and 18th Century info. Thanks much!

    Fran Shaff
    http://sites.google.com/site/fshaff

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  6. We were in Charleston recently on vacation. I loved the bridge. It's beautiful. We also visited Patriot Point, located in Mount Pleasant, at the foot of the bridge that is a naval and maritime museum featuring the USS Yorktown. We also climbed around Fort Moultrie which also figures in the history of the city going back to the Revolution through WWII.
    Charleston is lovely and so rich in history. I wanted to but never got to see the tea plantation on Wadmalaw Island. It's the one place we missed.

    Great article Elaine.

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  7. Thanks for stopping by, everyone. Charleston is a gorgeous city. If you've never been there you should pay a visit as soon as possible. The fall is a great time because the weather is so nice.

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  8. South Carolina sounds beautiful. I need to spend more time there.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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  9. I have always loved our sister state, South Carolina. Besides the wonderful beaches and Charleston, I have always had a fondness for Columbia with it wonderful zoo. They have a fantastic aquarium exhibit.
    Lovely blog.

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