From Wars To Reconstruction

South Carolina's history dates back centuries. Prior to the English, many attempts were made by explorers to colonize South Carolina. In 1526, the Spanish made the first attempt to establish a settlement in South Carolina at Winyah Bay near the City of Georgetown. A group of French Huguenots made an attempt at settlement on a site near Beaufort in 1526. It wasn't until 1670, when the English arrived at Albemarle Point near Charleston, that the first permanent settlement occurred in South Carolina.

An estimated 1,225 sites in South Carolina are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing the important people and events that have shaped America. The distinctive architecture reflects the pride and history of European influence on this Southern coastal state. The food, culture and music represent the blending of many heritages to tell the social story of South Carolina.

History and culture play an important part in appreciating and understanding a destination. At Charles Towne Landing, visitors can trace the steps of early ancestors that arrived from England to settle the new world. Located on the site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina, the popular state park features a tram ride tour of the 1670 site and seven miles of pathways meandering through tranquil English gardens. A settler's life area includes costumed interpreters, 17th century herbs and plants, and demonstrations of candle-making and other trades.

Today, Charleston thrives as a contemporary city with old-world charm. From carriage rides to cobblestone streets, touring around Charleston is like stepping back in time. This genteel port city still shows its charm in its pastel-colored houses shaded by moss-covered live oak trees. Many of these ante-bellum structures, along with a number of plantation homes, are now open to visitors either to tour or for overnight stays.

The wealth of early rice and cotton barons is still seen in the magnificent homes and mansions of "The Battery" along the Charleston Harbour or in the many plantation gardens along Ashley River Road, a scenic highway about 15 miles from downtown Charleston. Here, walk the grounds and enjoy the sculptured gardens to experience the contrast of plantation and city life.

Yet, the state has had a turbulent past. From the War of Independence to the War Between the States to the Civil Rights movement, this state has been at the center of many conflicts throughout history. The ravages of war can be felt at Cowpens National Battlefield in the northern part of the state. Here, in 1781, the Colonials won one of their most significant battles against an elite British Army. Closer to the capital of Columbia, 14 War of Independence battles were fought around the town of Camden, South Carolina's first inland city original established as a trading post in the 1730s. Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, a 90-acre site, has been transformed for guided and self-guided tours of General Cornwallis' reconstructed military headquarters and other historic buildings. Special re-enactments are frequently held to bring the military history to life for visitors to the area.

Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbour, is the site where the first shots were fired between the North and South to launch the American Civil War. The Civil War was immortalized in movies like "Gone With The Wind" and "Glory." Yet, this struggle between brothers divided the nation and crippled the economic growth of the South for more than 100 years.

Through Reconstruction and into the 20th century, South Carolinians experienced dynamic change. Invention of the cotton gin and the Industrial Revolution helped lead the state into the 20th century, and South Carolina experienced a dramatic change as manual labor was rapidly replaced by machines and computers. The state experienced new prosperity and economic investments after World War II and during the past 30 years. Major international and domestic companies have moved to South Carolina for some of the same reasons the state originally prospered as a Colony: good climate, rich resources and hard-working people.

The numerous museums throughout the state detail many of South Carolina's historic moments. At the Charleston Museum, you can find a replica of the Confederate Ship Hunley, the first submarine to sink a warship. The CSS Hunley was used by Confederate soldiers in 1864 to sink the Union warship Housatonic that was blockading Charleston Harbour.

America's first steam locomotive used for passenger service, The Best Friend of Charleston, made its premiere run for six miles on Christmas Day in 1830. The train's regular service went from Charleston, South Carolina to the Savannah River. A replica is on display adjacent to the Charleston Visitor's Centre.

In nearby Mount Pleasant, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, allows visitors to climb aboard the second United States Aircraft Carrier, Yorktown. The Yorktown fought many historic battles during World War II, patrolled the western Pacific Ocean during the Cold War years and recovered the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft to circle the moon. On tour of this massive ship ­ whose length is equal to three football fields.

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