South Carolina Low Country
Encyclopedia
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
's coast. The region includes the South Carolina Sea Islands
Sea Islands
The Sea Islands are a chain of tidal and barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean coast of the United States. They number over 100, and are located between the mouths of the Santee and St. Johns Rivers along the coast of the U.S...
. Once a location that was known for its agricultural wealth, the Lowcountry today is internationally renowned for its historic cities and communities, its natural beauty, and its unique cultural heritage, which have attracted millions of visitors and thousands of new residents.
Definition
The Lowcountry is often thought of as a geographic and social identifier. While there is a general consensus on defining Lowcountry as it relates to culture, there is a considerable difference of opinion on its geographic extent. According to some historians, the Lowcountry extends from the Sandhills of South Carolina, just east of Columbia, to the coast. This area is mostly near or below sea level; thus the term "low country". Contemporary definitions however differentiate depending on perspective:Always included
The most commonly accepted counties of the Lowcountry are BeaufortBeaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Supporters of this definition point to the Lowcountry Council of Governments
Council of Governments
Councils of governments are regional bodies that exist throughout the United States. They are also sometimes called regional councils, regional commissions, regional planning commissions, planning district commissions, and development districts...
(a regional governmental entity charged with regional and transportation planning) as covering these four counties. In addition, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism identifies the "Lowcountry and Resort Islands" tourism area as the four aforementioned counties http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/islands-coast/lowcountry-resort.aspx.
Usually included
A larger geographic definition for Lowcountry often includes BerkeleyBerkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....
, Charleston
Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...
, and Dorchester counties, sometimes referred to as the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area. Critics of this larger definition point that the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area, frequently used by those living in the City of Charleston, borrowed the Lowcountry moniker in an attempt to give a name to their region of the state; however, supporters point that many of the same geographic qualities and features found in the smaller area are also found throughout the three metropolitan counties as well.
Sometimes included
Applied more broadly, the term can also refer to peripheral or adjacent areas. These include AllendaleAllendale County, South Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,211 people, 3,915 households and 2,615 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 4,568 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties. Although along the coast, Horry County
Horry County, South Carolina
Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress...
, home to Myrtle Beach and Conway
Conway, South Carolina
Conway is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 16,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Horry County and is part of the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. It is the home of Coastal Carolina University....
is very rarely included in the definition and is more often considered to be its own region (The Grand Strand
Grand Strand
The Grand Strand refers to a large stretch of beaches on the East Coast of the United States extending from Little River to Georgetown in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It consists of 60+ miles along an essentially uninterrupted arc of beach land, beginning around the Little River and...
) or closer geographically to the Pee Dee
Pee Dee
The Pee Dee region of South Carolina is the northeastern corner of the state. It is the area of the lower watershed of the Pee Dee River, named after the Pee Dee Native American tribe. Its center is Florence...
Region of the state.
History
For more detail on history in the Lowcountry region, consult the following articles:Geography
For more detail on geographic characteristics in the Lowcountry region, consult the following articles:Economy
Originally an area dependent on large-scale agricultural farming, 20th-century economic forces have created a more dynamic economy for the Lowcountry. Though agriculture remains an important component of the overall economy, other sectors have become as predominant and vital to the region's economic portfolio.Tourism
The evolution of the modern resort community was pioneered at Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island in the 1950s. Since that time, other parts of Hilton Head Island in addition to Fripp Island, Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island, and the Wild Dunes portion of the Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Isle of Palms is a city in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population on the island was 4,133. Isle of Palms is a barrier island on the South Carolina coast. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
have developed into popular destinations for golf, tennis, and beach vacations. Longstanding seaside communities, including Edisto Beach, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Sullivan's Island is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, on a similarly named island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. The population was 1,911 at the 2000 census. It is also the site of a major battle of the American Revolution at Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776. As...
, and the Isle of Palms, remain popular destinations for visitors and a growing number of permanent residents and second-home owners.
Charleston is one of the leading cultural and historic destinations in the United States and attracts millions of visitors each year. Beaufort is also a very popular destination for cultural activities and sightseeing, while some of the smaller communities in the region have certain cultural activities or amenities that attract thousands of visitors per year. Highway or traveler commercial services are of particular importance to communities in the lowcountry (including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
, Goose Creek, Charleston and Summerville) and along Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
(including St. George
St. George, South Carolina
Saint George is a town in Dorchester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,092 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat of Dorchester County since the latter's formation from Colleton County in 1897....
, Walterboro
Walterboro, South Carolina
Walterboro is a city in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,153 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Colleton County.-History:...
, and Hardeeville).
Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island is a secluded semitropical barrier island located about east of Beaufort, South Carolina. It is the most-visited state park in South Carolina and is a part of the ACE Basin estuarine reserve area. It is one of the Sea Islands...
, Edisto State Park and other local, state, and federally protected or preserved lands and wetlands provide thousands of acres of pristine natural areas that are accessible in areas to millions of visitors.
Trade and retail
Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is a German transportation company comprising a cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG, which in turn owns other subsidiaries such as Hapag-Lloyd Ships and a cruise line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises which is now integrated into TUI AG, Hanover...
, Evergreen Marine Corporation, COSCO
COSCO
China Ocean Shipping Company, known as COSCO or COSCO Group, is one of the largest liner shipping companies worldwide. It is a government owned company of the People's Republic of China...
and Hamburg Süd
Hamburg Süd
Hamburg Süd is one of the key carriers on the North-South trade routes by ocean transportation. It is part of the Oetker Group, a family-owned German conglomerate.-History:...
. . The SCSPA is constructing a new terminal in North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
at the old Naval Base and has plans to construct a new ocean terminal port in southern Jasper County by 2020 in conjunction with the Georgia Ports Authority under a bi-state commission. A former port facility in Port Royal was closed in 2005.
Manufacturing has become an increasingly important component of the Lowcountry's economy. Major manufacturers in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
include Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
(diesel engine components), Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
(diesel engine components), Hess (fuel refining), Kapstone
Kapstone
KapStone Paper and Packaging is an American pulp and paper company based in Northbrook, IL.The company has Kraft paper manufacturing facilities in Roanoke Rapids, NC and North Charleston, SC as well as a lumber mill in Summerville, SC...
(paper), and Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
(aircraft components, formerly Vought Industries). In 2009, Boeing announced plans to develop a second assembly facility for its 787 Dreamliner aircraft in North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
. It is anticipated by state and local officials that the region will become more attractive for support industries and suppliers in the aviation and aeronautical sector of the economy.
The knowledge-based and information technology sector is also a growing economic sector in the region. Blackbaud
Blackbaud
Blackbaud Inc. is a supplier of software and services specifically designed for nonprofit organizations. Its products focus on fundraising, website management, CRM, anayltics, financial management, ticketing, and education administration....
is a major software company headquartered in Charleston and employees hundreds of workers at its Daniel Island
Daniel Island
Daniel Island is a island located in the City of Charleston, South Carolina . It is located in Berkely County and situated between the Cooper and Wando Rivers...
facility. Additional IT companies have sprung up in Charleston and Beaufort Counties.
Retail trade is a major component of trade in the region, with the City of North Charleston having the largest volume of retail sales in the region. Specialty retail, including arts and crafts, knick-knacks, antiques provide a major component of retail trade in the historic areas of Charleston, Summerville, Beaufort, Port Royal and Walterboro. The Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.
- Overview :The ', headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, was founded in 1947. Today “The Pig” is a large employee-owned, privately operated retail company with more than 3,000 employees and 100 stores throughout South Carolina and coastal Georgia....
has its local headquarters in Charleston with major warehousing and distribution center located just past Summerville off of I-26.
Major shopping complexes in the area include the Citadel Mall in Charleston, the Northwoods Mall
Northwoods Mall
Northwoods Mall is a 130 store regional indoor shopping mall located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1972, the mall is located at the intersection of Rivers Avenue , Ashley Phosphate Road and Interstate 26...
, Tanger Factory Outlets and Centre Point in North Charleston and Tanger Factory Outlets in Bluffton, the Mount Pleasant Town Centre in Mount Pleasant and The Mall at Shelter Cove
The Mall at Shelter Cove
The Mall at Shelter Cove, also known as Shelter Cove Mall, is a small, upscale mall located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is one of the many shopping centers in Beaufort County. The mall is a popular destination for tourist and the locals. Many of its stores are exclusive to the...
on Hilton Head Island.
Major shopping districts in the area include the City Market and King Street in Charleston, Savannah Highway in West Ashley
West Ashley
West Ashley is one of the six distinct areas of the city proper of Charleston, South Carolina, with an estimated 2010 population of 57,403. Its name is derived from the fact that the land is west of the Ashley River. A few skirmishes took place there in the American Revolution and in the Civil War...
(Charleston suburb), Daniel Island (Charleston suburb), North Charleston, Johnny Dodds Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, Boundary Street and Bay Street in Beaufort, and U.S. 278
U.S. Route 278
U.S. Route 278 is a parallel route of U.S. Route 78. It currently runs for 1,074 miles from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to Wickes, Arkansas at U.S. Highway 71/U.S. Highway 59. It might be notable that it is longer than its parent highway, US Hwy-78. US Hwy-278 passes through the states of...
in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
St. George, Walterboro, Point South, Ridgeland, and Hardeeville provide traveler-oriented commercial services for motorists and visitors along the Interstate 95 corridor.
Military
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
all have facilities located in the region. The South Carolina National Guard has several outposts located here as well.
Facilities in the lowcountry include the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Charleston
The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic is a component of the United States Navy located in Charleston, South Carolina....
in Goose Creek/Hanahan, the Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston Air Force Base
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
in North Charleston, and the Naval Weapons Station Charleston in Goose Creek, which includes a Naval Consolidated Brig
Naval Consolidated Brig, Charleston
The Naval Consolidated Brig , is a medium security U.S. military prison. The brig, Building #3107, is located in the south annex of Joint Base Charleston in the city of Hanahan, South Carolina....
in Hanahan. A former naval yard was closed in 1995.
Facilities in the Beaufort area include the Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
on Parris Island, the U.S. Naval Hospital
USNH Beaufort
United States Naval Hospital Beaufort is a United States Navy hospital located in Port Royal, South Carolina. Commissioned on 29 April 1949, the hospital is one of only a handful of its kind that sits within its own complex rather than within a larger base....
in Port Royal, and the Marine Corps Air Station
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort or MCAS Beaufort is a United States Marine Corps air base located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beaufort, a city in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States...
in Beaufort.
Culture
Gullah
The Gullah are African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, which includes both the coastal plain and the Sea Islands....
influence on St. Helena Island
Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
St. Helena Island is one of the Sea Islands in Beaufort County, South Carolina that are historic sites of early European colonization of North America. St. Helena is also the center of African-American Gullah culture and language. It is sometimes claimed to be the oldest settlement in the United...
, the early European settlements near Beaufort and Port Royal, and the Caribbean influence on architecture in Charleston. Charleston and Beaufort both have dozens of antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
and postbellum homes that reflect unique blends and styles of architecture.