Pawleys Island:
Pawleys Island is the former summer residence of families of southern rice planters at the turn of the century. The Lowcountry was home to the most affluent planters on the continent. They didn't grow tobacco, or even cotton. Rice and indigo (used for a blue dye) were the crops of choice. To escape the heat and malaria of their mainland plantations, the rice royalty moved their families to cottages on Pawleys Island for the summer.
Through careful preservation, some of the cottages are still in use. Nine of them comprise the Pawleys Island "Historic District". The rest of the narrow island barely keeps some 600 houses (no stores) out of the water. They're used, just as in the planters' days, mostly by summer dwellers.
The SC Lowcountry, with its protected marshlands, abundant wildlife and relaxed southern living, provides a perfect vacation spot for almost everyone! Check following web sites, South Carolina, Historic Charleston or Myrtle Beach for more information about South Carolina.
Pawleys Island Historic District
Eight elegantly rustic antebellum summer retreats border the Atlantic at the eastern end of the island's circa 1846 south causeway, about midway between Pawleys' north and south ends. Each of these homes has survived several major hurricanes that decimated most other parts of the small island, most recently Hazel in 1954 and Hugo in 1989.
The Pelican Inn, pre - Civil War summer residence of plantation owner Plowden Charles Jenrette Weston, was constructed of numbered cypress planks brought from Hagley Plantation. The Ward House, also known as Liberty Lodge, has the original hand-hewn sills and joints. Two of these homes belonged to All Saints' Episcopal Church; one was their summer parsonage where planter's evening summer services were held and one was the summer residence of their children's academy headmaster.
Extreme Fisherman
Captain Pete Mercuro offers a variety of fishing charters in the area and will guide you to the hotbeds of fishing opportunity! Parties of two to six are ideal for this experienced fisherman and he will happily tailor a great outing for you. Let Captain Pete guide you to the best spots with the right bait, while experiencing the natural beauty of coastal South Carolina. Telephone (843) 235-6347. US Coast Guard licensed and insured. www.extremefisherman.com
Black River Expeditions
Rentals, tours, and instruction. Day and evening tours of black water cypress swamps, rice plantations, tidal marshes, and wildlife refuges. Canoe or kayak, guides available. Located 3 miles north of Georgetown, Hwy 701 at Kensington Gardens, 21 Garden Ave. 843-546-4840.
Capt. Dicks Marina and Explorer Fleet
Deep sea fishing, saltwater marsh explorer adventures narrated by a marine biologist, ocean sightseeing cruises, pirate adventure voyages, parasailing, scuba diving, jet ski rentals and outboard motor boat rentals. Located South Strand Waterfront Highway 17 at Murrells Inlet, 843-651-3676.
Carolina Safari Jeep Tours
Open all year; winterized, all-season, customized safari jeeps. Tour director, Virgil Graham, is a pro magazine photographer, naturalist and area native. 3 hour narrated tour is a combination of nature and history. Travel to salt marsh, cypress swamp and fresh water ecosystems. See: egrets, American Bald Eagle, Ibis, and Alligators in their natural habitat. Tour a 15 century style Spanish castle, rice plantations, islands, slave cabins and more.
Island Queen
90 passenger vessel, 2 hr trip. Historic plantation cruises, ghost story cruises late afternoon. Adults $12.50 children $7.00. Located Georgetown Landing Marina, Hwy 17 Bridge, 843-527-3180.
Parks
Huntington Beach State Park
Picnic areas with shelters, boardwalk, surf fishing, crabbing, and bird watching, salt marsh, nature trail, fresh water lagoon. 127 camping sites. Located US. 17 S, across from Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet. 843-237-4440.
Brookgreen Gardens
Just 3 miles north of Litchfield Plantation and situated on the grounds of another low-country plantation, these gardens were founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Mrs. Huntington, a sculptor herself, designed the gardens and began the country's largest outdoor collection of figurative sculpture. One may wander by the hour beneath towering oaks, visit the wild-life park, take a river trip on the "Springfield", and rest with a cup of peach ice-tea at the old kitchen building. Brookgreen Gardens is a "must see" for the Pawleys Island visitor.
Area Attractions
Historic Georgetown
This pre-revolutionary town is just 12 miles south of Litchfield Plantation. It is situated on Winyah Bay which is at the confluence of the Pee Dee and Black rivers as well as the Intracoastal Waterway. In the 18th century, Georgetown was the world's largest exporter of rice. Today the charming restored historic district offers quiet streets overhung by live oaks and Spanish moss, elegant old homes, a River Walk, trolley and horse-drawn carriage tours, an interesting history of rice production at the Rice Museum, boutique and antique shopping and of course, excellent seafood.
Historic Charleston
Historically Charleston has always been the cultural capitol of the South. The city has suffered wars, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes and survived as the epitome of graciousness and southern charm. Just a leisurely 65 mile drive through the low-country swamps, creeks and farmland Charleston make a perfect day-trip for Litchfield Plantation's guests. You may take a horse-drawn carriage tour, visit grand mansions, wander the alleys and peek at secret gardens, shop to your heart's content and finish the day with a fine gourmet, low-country dinner.
Jolly Rover
What better way to explore than on an authentic "Tall Ship". The Jolly Rover takes guests from Front Street in Georgetown on two-hour sails in Winyah Bay. The Captain and a story-teller regale visitors with stories, legends and history from the Carolina Low-Country. Stories of pirates, gracious plantations and a glimpse of alligators under a Carolina sun make for a great afternoon's entertainment.
Wallace Lee's Creek Fishing
Mr. Lee is a lifelong resident of Murrells Inlet and the retired owner of one of the most popular and prosperous restaurants in the Inlet. He loves the area and loves to fish which makes a wonderful recipe for a great day on the creek. Mr. Lee's fishing days are customized to his guests' requirements and non-fishing spouses are more than welcome as Mr. Lee entertains with history, stories and mini-tours of the creek-bank sites.
Shopping
Pawleys Island may be small but we have excellent shopping opportunities. The Hammock Shops, Town Square Shops, Island Shops and Oak Leigh Shops can supply you with everything from fine clothing, shoes and jewelry to t-shirts and souvenirs. Our most famous Pawleys Island hammocks are available to "test-drive" and can be shipped anywhere in the world.
If you would like more information:
E-mail me at jimbin007@aol.com
Phone: 800-476-2861 ext. 313