7 Most Beautiful Historic Towns in South Carolina
Anyone not acquainted with the Palmetto State may dismiss it as a bland, colorless state with nothing of note except Charleston. But here is the truth. While Charleston is in a class of its own both culturally and historically, few states are as star-studded with a delightful array of cultural attractions as South Carolina. From Abbeville to Laurens, discover below what South Carolina offers to the present-day culture connoisseur.
Abbeville
Abbeville is among South Carolina's most significant towns, both historically and culturally. Secession Hill, for instance, a few steps east of present-day Secession Street, was the site where a large group — in November 1860 — adopted the ordinance of secession from the Union. A few years later, at the stately Burt-Stark Mansion, the Confederate War Council, by a majority vote, threw in the towel. Because of the twin events, Abbeville has been called the "Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy." But Abbeville is also known for "hash," a barbecue style that is distinctively South Carolinian. Often made from pork, hash is a thick gravy (or stew), typically served over white rice, with roots in the counties on either side of the Savannah River. You can enjoy this one-of-a-kind delicacy at culinary establishments such as The Rough House, an old-school restaurant smack in the middle of the town square.
Georgetown
While you may have been moved by the African American spiritual "Kumbaya," you may not have realized that this song was originally a creation of the Gullah-Geechee people of coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Of course, "Kumbaya" was a Creole accent for "Come by here," a call to God to come and intervene in the affairs of his oppressed people. Today, Georgetown preserves the heritage of these West African slaves — originally brought to the New World to work the rice plantations. The one-story Rice Museum tells this intriguing if painful story — and is often worth checking out. But if you are looking for an immersive Gullah-Geechee cultural experience, the Gullah Museum should be on the itinerary. Finally, Taste of Georgetown, often held in November, is the town's most celebrated food event.
Beaufort
Beaufort, one of South Carolina's most vacation-worthy towns, brims with historical and cultural attractions. Santa Elena, for instance, once served as the capital of Spanish Florida and is among the first European settlements in the nation. Port Royal Island, on which this town is secreted, is home to one of the deepest natural harbors on the East Coast. Beaufort once served as the summer retreat of the region's elite, a fact laid credence by the abundance of old, stately homes. A stroll through the Old Point, for instance, with its massive oak trees and old, large mansions, is like stepping back into a long-forgotten time. Also, as the intriguing story of Robert Smalls shows, Beaufort was the site of significant reconstruction efforts, and attractions such as the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park— as well as Robert Smalls House — will come in handy. As the cherry on the cake, the entire Beaufort downtown area is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places.
Walhalla
While Walhalla is mostly associated with the Germans, the Cherokee Natives rightly claim an older heritage. Centuries before Germans set foot here, the Cherokee roamed these wilds — and attractions such as the 100-foot Issaqueena Falls, the site of a heart-gripping Cherokee legend — are lucid testimonials. Also, the Oconee Station State Historic Site, a site where colonists would exchange guns for animal fur from the Cherokee, is just off the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. At the Museum of the Cherokee, informative displays of the Cherokee history and culture will be of immense interest. However, to experience Walhalla's German heritage, Walhalla Oktoberfest is worth experiencing. One can enjoy a refreshing mug of cold German beer, explore amazing German-inspired art, and enjoy numerous other activities related to German culture.
St. Helena Island
Long before the landing of the Mayflower on Cape Cod, Spanish colonists would capture Native Americans — who roamed the rugged terrains of St. Helena — to work as slaves in the Caribbean sugar plantations. Several centuries later, during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, St. Helena Island played host to the first-ever school for freed slaves in the United States. Penn School was mostly founded by Quaker Missionaries from Pennsylvania. Learning about the experiences of the Gullah slaves here is often an emotional experience. It is here, also, that Martin Luther King Jr., in the heady days of the Civil Rights Movement, drafted his "I Have a Dream" speech — and planned the historic March on Washington. Gantt Cottage, where Luther would frequently repose, can overwhelm a history buff with emotion. On the flip side, Fort Fremont, arguably one of two surviving coastal fortifications in the nation, can enthuse anyone interested in military history.
Murrells Inlet
If South Carolina presents only two cultural attractions, delicious Southern food would be among them. And, of course, Charleston would top that culinary list. The Holy City, with its delightful array of waterfront cafes, is among America's best food cities. But if one is looking for a culinary experience in a town that is smaller and quaint, Murrells Inlet would be it. Known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, this eye candy is the best place for exploring Palmetto State's seafood culture. Forget about its name. Drunken Jack's Restaurant & Lounge serves some of the best oysters in the world. Alternatively, Inlet Crab House & Raw Bar seldom fails to deliver fresh and delicious seafood. But these are not all. The MarshWalk features what could be the most spectacular waterfront dining along the Grand Strand.
Laurens
While you will love to explore Laurens Historic District — and marvel at its dated courthouse — a Greek Revival-style building constructed in the 1830s, there is more to Laurens than this architecturally elegant stretch. Laurens was once a hotbed of Ku Klux Klan activities. Black men would be lynched on false allegations (often rape) or for some other flimsy reason, including refusing to work on holidays. There was even a prominent building —the Redneck Shop — that for many years served as a quasi-headquarters for the Ku Klux Klan. On its back wall, a mounted swastika consistently sent a chilling message. Until its closure, this building was regarded as the world's only Klan Museum. Today, Laurens is turning a new leaf, and the Redneck Shop, which visitors can see at 108 E Laurens Street, is being transformed into a museum and diversity center. Nearby, Laurens County Museum is a history and culture enthusiast's haven.
The Takeaway
Whether it is its distinctive Southern-style barbecue, Gullah-Geechee history, and cultural heritage, or reputation as the first state to secede from the Union, South Carolina's cultural heritage is rich, varied, and travels the whole gamut. However, while every town is not without its unique culture — and boasts cultural features that could be of interest to a first-time visitor — the score is never uniform. For the best cultural experience, towns such as Abbeville, where one can enjoy a barbecue style that is distinctively South Carolinian, and Laurens, once the site of the world's only Ku Klux Klan Museum, are chart-toppers. Others include Georgetown, Beaufort, and Walhalla.
