This is a small site requiring a brief trip down a gravel road that runs between the naval complex…read moreand some residences. It offers a picnic area, a bit of water access, and the remnants of a fort built with tabby, the shell-infused material distinctive to the region. There is some notably history despite the relative lack of military significance of the fort itself, and plaques are strewn about. Aesthetically, it is an interesting place. Not one where you'd spend a ton of time, but worth noting.

Tony and I was driving on a backroad near Beaufort and Port Royal and found this old Chapel built…read morein 1723...almost 300 yrs old. Oyster Shells were used to make the walls of this amazing chapel

Adjacent to the north end of the causeway that leads to the Beaufort Memorial Bridge, this marker…read morepoints out the history of a great tragedy that struck Beaufort. The marker text is on two sides. On the front, "This site was the starting point of the Great Fire of 1907, one of the worst disasters in the history of Beaufort. On Jan. 19, a fire started around 1:30 p.m. in F.W. Scheper's barn south of here and move into a large store at this corner. The fire moved west along Bay Street, while strong winds scattered embers over much of downtown. Flames spread up Carteret Street and to the northeast, burning buildings as far as 1/2 mi. away from this location." And on the reverse, "Companies of black and white volunteer firemen struggled to extinguish the flames, which overpowered their equipment. By the time the fire subsided, at least forty buildings had been damaged or destroyed. The event prompted new local ordinances governing the materials and location of new buildings. Despite the destruction, the only death occurred when William Bennett, a member of the well-known African American Allen Brass Band was shot by a soldier on patrol." There is street parking on Bay Street and a public lot nearby. [Review 19480 overall - 1052 in South Carolina - 450 of 2023.]

Located at the entrance to the Pinckney Wildlife Refuge, an Island between the mainland and Hilton…read moreHead Island, this marker brings attention to this historical leader. On one side, it reads "Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746-1825). Pinckney, a leader in South Carolina's educational, political, cultural and religious affairs, inherited this island in 1769. He was made ambassador to France, 1796. Appointed by President Adams in 1797 to a committee negotiating maritime problems with France, Pinckney became known for his refusal of bribery in the 'XYZ' affair." On the other side, "Born in South Carolina, Pinckney was educated in England and served in the First and Second Provincial Congresses. A commander in the Revolution, hr later served in the SC General Assembly, and was a delegate to the SC Constitutional Convention of 1790 in Columbia. Pinckney spent part of his life on this island." I'm sure you're headed past to visit the refuge, but perhaps you can stop for a moment and pay tribute to this great man who provided it. [Review 12403 overall, 2190 of 2019.]

This marker is on Scott Street in downtown Beaufort, opposite the City Library. It is in front of a…read morehome but the marker is easily readable. Note that the parking meters are enforced if you're planning on sticking around to read the meter. It has the same text on both sides, reading "The Society, founded in 1814 to educate and provide relief for destitute children, built this house in 1895 and leased it for many years, using the income to help the needy. Tenants included the Clover Club, which operated a circulating library here (1910-1917), and an infirmary (1917-1925). Funds from the 1982 sale of the house continue to provide relief for people in need." It was erected in 1989 by the Beaufort County Historical Society and the Beaufort Female Benevolent Society. It is marker number 7-21. [Review 19475 overall - 1047 in South Carolina - 445 of 2023.]

Happy to have this badge to take us to our happy place at Hilton Head Island. Great to see it…read morecoming in and bittersweet on the way out!

The twin Wilton J Graves bridges carry US-278 between Bluffton SC over the Intracoastal and across…read morePinckney Island to Hilton Head Island. Dedicated in 1982, the bridge has a 65 foot clearance over the water. It is named after a veteran state legislator and highway official. As bridges go, it is tall, sweeping and if you look quickly, as a lovely view of the lowcountry here near Hilton Head Island. [Review 12415 overall, 2202 of 2019.]

Civil War History…read more Dining at Old Fort Pub is always preceded by our walking tour of the Civil War fort, Fort Mitchel (one L.) Fort Mitchel and other Union forts, together with a superior Union Navy were Key to ultimate Union victory. Old Fort Pub is closed, and visitors to FT Mitchel have decreased. This Fort played a vital role in Coastal defenses.

Fun and Interesting historical presentation on old site of this fort area. Well spoken guide met us…read morenear parking and welcomed us, began discussion readily, sharing Civil war history. We ambled to park benches as he continued, explaining the importance of the area, and fortifications there, preserved as possible despite nearby modern development. His talk was augmented with a second presentor, in character and costume, to explain local sentiments during war times, with good humor and good understanding of historical local, slave and soldier perspectives. Well done! Well appreciated! Give a listen , everyone! Volunteer guides, money supports local history library.

With so many Civil War historical markers, it was a pleasant surprise to find one that points to a…read moreRevolutionary War battle. The faded marker reads, "Near the old halfway house, in the vicinity of Grays Hill, on February 3, 1779, a force of South Carolina Militia, Continentals, and volunteers, including men from Beaufort, under General William Moultrie, defeated the British in their attempt to capture Port Royal Island." The battle was one of the few land battles in South Carolina where Patriot forces claimed a clear victory. British troops under Major William Gardner had landed near Beaufort with the intent to reassert control over the region and rally Loyalist support. In response, Brigadier General William Moultrie led a hastily assembled force of South Carolina militia and Continental troops to intercept them. The two sides clashed near Gray's Hill on Port Royal Island, with the Patriots using artillery and local knowledge to their advantage. Despite being outnumbered and less experienced, Moultrie's men held their ground, forcing the British to retreat to their ships after several hours of fighting. The victory bolstered Patriot morale and helped secure the Beaufort area for the remainder of the war. It disrupted British plans to regain a foothold in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The graves of two British soldiers killed in the battle - Lieutenant William Calderwood and Ensign John Finley - are located in the cemetery of Saint Helena's Church in Beaufort. It is marker number 7-5 and it was erected by the Beaufort County Historical Society. [Review 1323 of 2025 - 1320 in South Carolina - 24875 overall]

Penn Center was recommended as a cultural stop during our visit to Beaufort…read more We did not take a tour but overall found the experience underwhelming. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the excellent IAAM in Charleston. The art work was interesting and the history of the school somewhat but if you have limited time I'd recommend elsewhere.

This loosely laid out complex of buildings paints a historical picture of an island that served as…read morea cultural center for what's now called Gullah-Geechee. The immediate sights next to the parking area are a visitor center where you buy tickets and a small history museum where you hand the tickets in. The history museum included an extensive tour by a local docent, from whom I got very specific details about local history and a friendly conversation of the sort the region is known for. It's a hard experience to explain to those who are living a more conventional American life, but part of the conversation here is about preserving history, with signs in the neighborhood hinting at a legal battle to prevent the surrounding island from being bought up and developed the way that some (but not all) of the surrounding islands have been. A restored schoolhouse on the site is National Parks property, unlike most of it which seems locally owned. Tours and events are offered, but at fairly limited times. It is an interesting place to browse and does have exhibits. There are also some handy water fountains and bathrooms in this area. Otherwise, the site includes a walking tour of several buildings of historic significance, most of which were used to house groups of visitors or for some administrative purpose, but the aesthetics were interesting to look at. This isn't the most dramatic or well-developed experience, and while it seemed more visitor areas might be coming, what's there is a compelling picture of island life and a unique culture.