Sure, our island is a tropical paradise with sun and sand all around, but there is also ample history in our midst. And since winter may not be the best time to enjoy the surf anyway, it’s a good time to get out and discover the historical markers dotting the island. So, dust off the golf cart or bike and check out these local history highlights. COL. WILLIAM “DANGER” THOMSON … [Read more...] about History by the Sea: Historical markers home to Isle of Palms
History
A Lowcountry Thanksgiving: Sewee – First Native American tribe to lay claim to IOP
How many of us, as children, dressed for a Thanksgiving play in elementary school, adorned in either Pilgrim or Native American costumes? We learned that the Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts, taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn and helped them survive their first winter in the New World. After the first successful crop was harvested, they supposedly all sat down … [Read more...] about A Lowcountry Thanksgiving: Sewee – First Native American tribe to lay claim to IOP
Freeing of the Toll Grace Memorial Bridge: the gateway for IOP tourism and commerce
In 1929, the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge, also known as the Grace Memorial Bridge, was built to connect Charleston and Mount Pleasant as part of a highway system stretching from Florida to Maine. The 250-foot-tall bridge, which took 17 months and $6 million to build, was named in honor of John P. Grace (1874-1940), the 51st mayor of Charleston, who served two non-consecutive … [Read more...] about Freeing of the Toll Grace Memorial Bridge: the gateway for IOP tourism and commerce
The lingering legend of Goat Island
Legend still lingers on a tiny barrier island only 200 yards off the Isle of Palms. In the early 1930s, a man and his wife lived in self-exile on Goat Island, without electricity or water, choosing to turn their backs on civilization forever. The island remains a place of rustic solitude – a precious, slender slice of land beyond the reach of streetlights and bus stops. The … [Read more...] about The lingering legend of Goat Island
A Seaside Escape: Stepping Back in Time to Isle of Palms in 1946 (Historic Video)
After crossing the bridge, enjoy a smooth drive along the highway that skirts the historic town of Mount Pleasant. Pass through subtropical areas filled with palmetto, myrtle, and oak trees. Then, cross the new Ben M. Sawyer Bridge and arrive at the picturesque Isle of Palms. … [Read more...] about A Seaside Escape: Stepping Back in Time to Isle of Palms in 1946 (Historic Video)
