Woods Memorial Bridge, Beaufort SC. Photo courtesy Corey Gibson
Have you ever seen a swing bridge in action? Have you enjoyed shrimp & grits for breakfast? Ever seen a town’s skyline dotted with church steeples, not skyscrapers? We’re sharing 14 signs you’ve never been to Beaufort SC.
It’s about time you plan that trip, don’t you think?
1. You’ve never seen a swing bridge in action
The Woods Memorial Bridge in downtown Beaufort is one of only a handful of swing bridges still in operation in South Carolina. Photo Corey Gibson
2. You’ve never explored a sea island
St Helena Island is the seat of the Gullah culture and folks love to explore the 63 square mile sea island
3. You’ve never caught a wave along a natural unspoiled beach
Hunting Island Beach offers some 5 miles of untouched natural beach at Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina’s most visited state park.
4. You’ve never visited a haunted chapel
The ‘Chapel of Ease’ is located on St. Helena Island. Built in 1740, the chapel served the area until Union troops came ashore in November of 1861. Witnesses say they see ghosts of a mother and children on the grounds and lots of other eerie tales abound. Photo courtesy Josh Whiteside
5. You’ve never climbed a lighthouse
The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in South Carolina where you can climb all the way to the top, It was completed in 1875 and has already been moved over a mile inland.
6. You think ‘tabby’ is a breed of kitten
Tabby is a type of concrete made by burning oyster shells to create lime, then mixing it with water, sand, ash and broken oyster shells. Tabby was used by early settlers in Beaufort. Photo Mara Beel
7. You’ve never tried a sweet tea float
You’ve never heard of a sweet tea float but you’ll certainly be glad you encountered it! Served up in downtown Beaufort by Scout Southern Market, it’s true southern sweet tea, true southern hospitality, and some fresh sorbet to top it off! Photo courtesy myborrowedheaven
8. Your daily diet has never consisted of shrimp, oysters and sweet tea
We’re BIG on local seafood here in Beaufort SC Shrimp and oysters are staples in local restaurants and home kitchens as well.
9. You’ve never joggled on a joggling board
Popular in the old South, a joggling board is a long, pliable board that is supported on each end by wooden stands. The board is springy and a person sitting on it can easily bounce up and down. Photo courtesy eavice.com
10. You’ve never seen a town’s skyline dotted with steeples, not skyscrapers
Church steeples are the tallest structures in the City of Beaufort and its downtown district. Photo courtesy Bob Sofaly
11. You’ve never visited America’s first school for freed slaves
Penn Center was formed as Penn School in 1862, and it was the very first school for freed slaves in the U.S., and is now a Gullah Community Center on St. Helena Island. Photo courtesy civilrightstrail.com
12. You’ve never strolled along a street lined with stately antebellum homes
You’ll find many streets lined with antebellum homes throughout Beaufort’s downtown historic district. The homes were spared burning by Sherman during the Civil War due to the Union’s early occupation of Beaufort SC and remain intact today. Some are private homes and some have been converted into classic Southern inns. Photo courtesy Cuthbert House Inn
13. You have yet to admire the beauty of Spanish moss
The silver garland that hangs off of the stately live oak trees all over Beaufort is called Spanish moss. It’s not Spanish, or moss, but that’s what it’s called. It has a gothic look to it and helps gives Beaufort SC the beautiful scenery it is renowned for.
14. You’ve never had shrimp & grits for breakfast
Shrimp and grits originated as a simple dish of shrimp cooked in butter or bacon fat served over a bed of plain grits and eaten for breakfast by sailors and fishermen in the early 20th century. It’s now a Southern staple. Have it for breakfast at Blackstone’s Cafe in downtown Beaufort.
