History

These days, there is no shortage of information for travelers who are considering possible vacation destinations. For decades, the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has charted a successful advertising campaign aimed at bringing visitors from far and wide to experience all that the Lowcountry has to offer. Television ads that are aired across the country and an … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: “America’s Finest and Safest Beach”

It’s where locals shop for groceries at Harris Teeter and other establishments onsite which include eateries, a liquor store, wealth management services and even a veterinary clinic. But there’s a lot more to the complex than just running daily chores. For decades, long before the Harris Teeter and the other businesses existed, the only building on the site was the Red and … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: Reminiscing the Red and White

As the City of Isle of Palms moves forward with a major beach renourishment project, historic Civil War-era shipwrecks resting offshore have been identified and will be avoided during dredging operations. About a mile from the entrance to Charleston Harbor lie the remains of merchant and whaling ships deliberately sunk by the Union Navy early in the Civil War. The vessels … [Read more...] about Shipwreck sites deemed safe from beach renourishment digs

The year 2026 is a very special one for our country. Unless you have had your head stuck in the sand (or pluff mud, as the case may be), you know that it marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Isle of Palms’ residents are keenly aware of an event of great historical importance that occurred right here back in June 1776. That’s when … [Read more...] about From the Archives: Oscar Marion – The Swamp Fox’s steadfast servant

Everyone knows that Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is a great place to experience a taste of what makes Southern coastal cuisine so great. Crab cakes, scallops, shrimp and flounder are on the menu, of course, along with a few dishes touting homespun names like the Hunley Trio and the Yorktown that link it to staples of local history. Yet the location of the restaurant is itself a … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: From a cottage to a kitchen

Some of us look forward to it, others, not so much. But nonetheless, it happens every day except Sunday. And neither rain nor snow, sleet nor hail, can stop it. It’s the delivery of the U.S. mail. Isle of Palms residents have the option of renting a box at the post office or the convenience of having it dropped off at their homes. That latter choice was a big deal when home … [Read more...] about From the Archives: Meet IOP’s first mail carrier

Visitors to the Isle of Palms are quite familiar with the challenge of finding parking when they arrive for their day in the sun. Fortunately, along Front Beach, there are some options available, with metered parking on Ocean Boulevard as well as a few all-day lots. Isle of Palms County Park offers a great alternative, too. But for real convenience, there is now the CARTA bus … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: Beachfront parking was permitted on Front Beach

Ghost Crabs? Got ‘Em. Blue crabs? Them too. Palmetto bugs? Yikes – but definitely. What about horned toads? Well, maybe. Although not native to the Lowcountry, these odd little creatures, technically lizards and not toads, were abundant on the island in the 1950s and '60s. And it was always a thrill, especially for kids, to discover and catch one. It is assumed that they … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: Horned toads once roamed IOP beaches, roads

For most of the year, our island is a quiet place with just over 4,300 residents and a few winter vacationers looking for a peaceful retreat. But in the summertime, it’s a completely different scenario. The population soars with crowds and the revelry that comes from hotels on Front Beach and an abundance of short-term rentals. Over the decades, there has been an increased … [Read more...] about Then vs. Now: Hotel Marion – Hospitality by the sea

What started out as a fun sunset adventure became a nightmare when two people were killed in the crash of a unique aircraft 14 years ago just offshore of the Isle of Palms. It is a scene seared into the memory of boaters and beachgoers who witnessed the accident. The Ultralight Zodiac is essentially a small two-passenger flying pontoon boat, weighing 500 pounds, with a … [Read more...] about From the Archives: Fatal crash of a flying pontoon boat